Maldives to Host Major SIDS Business and Investment Forum

The Maldives will host the SIDS Global Business Network Forum 2026 and Island Investment Forum from August 23 to 25, bringing together governments, businesses, investors, development partners, entrepreneurs and civil society to strengthen investment and business opportunities across Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The three-day forum will be held in Malé and is being organised by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), in collaboration with the governments of the Maldives and Antigua and Barbuda. The Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade are coordinating the event on behalf of the government.

The forum will also mark the launch of the Island Investment Forum (IIF) under the SIDS Centre of Excellence. The two forums will provide a combined platform for dialogue, business engagement, investment showcases, project presentations and follow-up between SIDS and potential investors and partners.

The programme is designed to move from identifying SIDS development priorities to presenting concrete investment opportunities and partnerships. Sessions will focus on areas including private-sector-led growth, access to finance, investment projects, artificial intelligence and digitalisation, resilient tourism and financing mechanisms. The programme will also feature investment showcases, an MSME marketplace, government-investor partnering sessions and closed-door deal rooms.

The event comes as SIDS seek to expand private-sector participation and attract investment to support sustainable and resilient economic development. The UN’s SIDS Global Business Network was established in 2014 alongside the Third International Conference on SIDS in Samoa as a platform for facilitating public-private partnerships and strengthening cooperation between SIDS and international businesses.

The network’s forums have subsequently been held on a biennial basis, including in Aruba in 2016, Mauritius in 2018, Palau in 2022 and Antigua and Barbuda in 2024. The 2024 forum focused on bringing the private sector’s voice into the Fourth International Conference on SIDS and addressed issues including blue-green growth, an enabling business environment, financing, investment and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Maldives’ selection as host follows its prominent role at the Fourth International Conference on SIDS in 2024, where President Dr Mohamed Muizzu called for stronger cooperation among SIDS, particularly to advance sustainable development and secure financing. The Maldives also chaired plenary sessions, participated in interactive panels and side events, hosted high-level side events and co-chaired the conference’s Preparatory Committee.

The 2026 forum is expected to increase the visibility of businesses and investment opportunities from SIDS while creating direct opportunities for governments, investors and private-sector actors to identify potential partnerships. The UN expects the forum to generate investment leads, facilitate the exchange of practical experience and build momentum for implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).