UPSC Prelims Marathon Quiz

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released a report titled “Development and Globalization: Facts and Figures”. The report highlights the numerous challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Statement 1 is incorrect. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group country that face unique social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities. The geographical regions in which SIDS are located are the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the AIS (Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea).

Statement 2 is incorrect. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of 38 UN Member States and 20 Non-UN Members/Associate Members of UN regional commissions that face unique social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities. Many of them (not all) are low-lying, situated just five metres above sea level. This makes them vulnerable to sea-level rise, storm surges and coastal destruction.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Infrastructure for Resilient Island States Initiative is the first major initiative under the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). It aims to make critical infrastructure in the SIDS (Small Island Developing States) resilient against all kinds of disasters. As part of the initiative, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will create a special “data window” for SIDS (Small Island Developing States).

For SIDS, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)-the ocean under their control-is, on average, 28 times the country’s land mass. Thus, for many SIDS the majority of the natural resources they have access to comes from the ocean. SIDS are vulnerable to biodiversity loss and climate change because they lack economic alternatives.