Apia, Samoa, 1 September 2014 - Heads of State, policymakers, business leaders and representatives from civil society have gathered in Apia, Samoa, to pledge their support for small island developing states by forging partnerships that will help these nations to overcome a unique set of environmental and economic challenges.

UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and other high-level UNEP officials are in attendance during the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States - the largest international meeting ever held in the Pacific - which will run from 1-4 September and seeks to focus the world's attention on issues faced by small island nations, such as climate change, environmental degradation and access to energy.

"We are here to seek a renewed commitment to small island developing states by focusing on practical actions and durable partnerships," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as he addressed the conference. With the slogan, "Island Voices, Global Choices," and with genuine and durable partnerships as its theme, the conference has brought to the spotlight the need to strengthen island initiatives that can help address pressing global issues.

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