The State of SIDS Report 2026

In June 2026, RESI launched the first ever “State of SIDS” report, an extensive analysis of how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are responding to a rapidly changing global context in which the defence of their special case is more urgent than ever, but also potentially requires new ideas, innovations and arguments to support this action. The report was developed by a cross-regional team of almost 30 SIDS experts.

In this episode, which is the counterpart to Episode 24 on the SIDS Future Forum, Emily and Matt explore the report and its implications in depth. In “Island Voices”, we hear from Jabal Hassanali from the Global Island Partnership. Our RESI colleagues, Jack Corbett and Eliorah Malifa join us for the “Explainer”, to discuss the process of putting the report together. Then, in the “Big Picture”, some of the lead authors of the thematic chapters tell us what their key messages are. Finally, in “No Stupid Questions” Matt and Emily reflect on the overarching insights from the report and how they might shape preparations for the SIDS Future Forum and State of SIDS report in 2028.

Featuring:

Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Principal Research Fellow at ODI GlobalMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldJabal Hassanali | Strategy Manager, Global Island Partnership (GLISPA)Jack Corbett | RESI Director and Deputy Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Monash University, AustraliaEliorah Malifa | Lead editor and Senior Research Fellow at Monash University, AustraliaStefano Moncada | Director, Islands and Small States Institute at the University of MaltaPreeya Mohan | Professor at the University of the West Indies, TrinidadYvonne Underhill-Sem | Professor at the University of Auckland, New ZealandMerisa Thompson | Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham, UKViliame Kasanawaka | Director of ShipWrecked Lab, FijiKalim Shah | Associate Professor and Director of the Island Policy Lab at the University of Delaware, USAGail Hurley | RESI Director and Development Finance Expert

Resources:

Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)The Report | The State of SIDS 2026: Defending the Special CaseRESI Book | Sustaining Development in Small IslandsRESI Report | How SIDS view their development partnersTrailer for new RESI film | Climate Blueprint: BarbadosSIDS Future Forum 2026 | Opening session recording: navigating the nowSIDS Future Forum 2026 | State of SIDS Re