| Abbreviation | FOSS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1 October 1992 |
| Founded at | New York, New York, United States |
| Type | Informal grouping of nations at the UN |
| Purpose | To provide a forum for small states to promote their economic interests |
| Headquarters | United Nations Headquarters |
| Fields | International politics |
Membership | 108 member states |
Chair |  Singapore |
| Affiliations | United Nations |
The Forum of Small States (FOSS) is a voluntary, informal and non-ideological grouping of countries at the United Nations, founded in 1992 by Singapore. Since then, Singapore has served as Chair of FOSS. The Forum of Small States is open to countries with a population of fewer than 10 million, although the population of some members has exceeded that level since they joined the group.[1]
The term "small state" is similar to the term microstate or ministate, a sovereign state having a very small population or land area, usually both. However, the meanings of "state" and "very small" are not well-defined in international law.[2]
The international system is for the most part made up by small powers or small states. While a small power in the international system may never equal or surpass the effect of larger powers, they can nevertheless influence the workings of the international system together with others.
According to a 2017 review study, "What scholars can agree on is that small states generally prefer multilateralism as both a path to influence and a means to restrain larger states. Studies of influential small states indicate that they are able to develop issue-specific power to make up for what they lack in aggregate structural power. Small states can, therefore, develop power disproportionate relative to their size on the few issues of utmost importance to them. In addition to prioritization, small states have successfully employed the strategies of coalition-building and image-building. Even though small state administrations lack the resources of their larger counterparts, their informality, flexibility, and the autonomy of their diplomats can prove advantageous in negotiations and within institutional settings."[3]
Small states make up the majority of United Nations member states and they have served as key drafters, negotiators, and thought leaders on a variety of issues at the UN. However, small states face significant structural and capacity barriers to their effective participation in diplomacy and policymaking at the UN.[4][5]
FOSS now comprises 108 countries across all geographical regions and at various levels of development and members meet several times a year to discuss issues of concern to small states.[1]
- ^ a b "Small States". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Singapore. 2017-02-26., accessed June 17, 2016
- ^ Warrington, E. (1994). "Lilliputs Revisited". Asian Journal of Public Administration, 16(1).
- ^ Thorhallsson, Baldur; Steinsson, Sverrir (24 May 2017). "Small State Foreign Policy". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.484. ISBN 9780190228637.
- ^ Ó Súilleabháin, Andrea (May 2014). "Small States at the United Nations: Diverse Perspectives, Shared Opportunities" (PDF). International Peace Institute. Retrieved Mar 25, 2024.
- ^ H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid (28 April 2022). "Informal High-level roundtable on "Small States, Multilateralism and International Law"". United Nations. Retrieved 25 Mar 2024.