The World Bank Group defines small states as ‘as countries that . . .have a population of 1.5 million or less. . .’.1 Of the world’s 195 commonly recognised sovereign states, 40 countries, or 21% of the total number of states, come within this definition.2 Small states can be found in all corners of the world. However, most small states are found in the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the African Indian Ocean. Reflecting their global distribution, they are diverse in culture, geography, history, land area, levels of income, and economy. The majority of small states are island states. Some are isolated; others are landlocked or neighbours of much larger states. Many of them have been under colonial rule and have transplanted or mixed legal systems that reflect their colonial experience and heritage. A few are high-income countries; however, the majority are middle- or low-income countries. Some have fragile governance and are conflict-affected; others have lived under stable rule for centuries. Some small states are commodity exporters, while others have service and tourism-based economies.