Island leaders to address 10,000 attendees at Virtual Island Summit 2024

Dickon Mitchell, prime minister of Grenada and chairman of CARICOM, and Dr Terrance Drew, prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis, are headlining the agenda at the 2024 Virtual Island Summit (VIS) scheduled for September 9-13, joining a panel of other speakers from the world’s islands. The 2024 VIS is expected to attract 10,000 participants from over 500 islands throughout the five-day event, which is free to attend to the public.

Since its first iteration in 2018, the VIS has become one of the largest knowledge-sharing opportunities for island stakeholders, with the free zero-carbon event promoting public participation and understanding of sustainable island solutions, while also providing access to expert speakers from civil society, academia, the private sector, as well as government officials. This year’s VIS is sponsored by clean transportation non-profit CALSTART, conservation finance organisation the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, education policy institution the Edge Foundation, ocean thermal energy conversion consortium PLOTEC, and the Cayman Islands Government.

Joining Dr Terrance Drew during the opening ceremony will be Lady Alida Francis, governor of Sint Eustatius, Fernando Clavijo Batlle, president of the Canary Islands, and COP29 CEO Elnur Soltanov. Mitchell will speak at an individual fireside chat on the final day of the VIS. Alfred Cannan MHK, chief minister for the Isle of Man, will also have his own individual session on Day 2. Other high-level speakers who are involved in the event include:

Dr Paubert T. Mahatante, minister of fishery & blue economy, Government of Madagascar; Bikenibeu Paeniu, ambassador of Tuvalu to Taiwan; E.P. Chet Greene, minister of foreign affairs & trade, government of Antigua & Barbuda; Clare Barber MHK, minister for environment, food & agriculture, Isle of Man government; Senator Mike Gabbard, chair, Agriculture & Environment Committee, Hawaii State Senate.

A full list of speakers may be found at :https://islandinnovation.co/events/virtual-island-summit/

“It is our collective duty to ensure that the voices of island nations are not only heard but that their needs are placed at the forefront. The Virtual Island Summit serves as an excellent platform for elevating these voices,” said Soltanov, “Azerbaijan is committed to working with all stakeholders to build a more resilient and sustainable future for islanders —and for the world.”

“The Virtual Island Summit is our flagship event and our team is proud to deliver such an impactful high-level knowledge-sharing event that puts islands at the heart of discussions,” explained Island Innovation Chief Executive Officer James Ellsmoor, “Every year, the VIS sessions highlight the resilience of islanders, and how impactful projects are being developed by and for these communities. With expert island stakeholders from around the world participating, we are able to properly showcase the wealth of knowledge that resides on the world’s islands.”

Speaking at the 2023 VIS, Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa’olelei Luteru, the chair of AOSIS and permanent representative of Samoa to the UN, said, “Let this summit be a call for real climate action to facilitate the sustainable development of small island developing states.” He added, “It is imperative that we maintain momentum and come together, utilising our tools, leveraging our expertise and ingenuity to find solutions. To my people on small island developing states - I urge you to recognise your inherent worth and strength. Together, we can lead by example and seek innovative solutions to the challenges that plague our development. The spirit of unity, resilience and community that defines our islands is a source of inspiration for the world.

A release notes that topics for the conference are wide-ranging, and cover all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in addition to other topics pertinent to island communities. VIS2024 hosts eight Content Tracks:

– Climate Action & Adaptation

– Renewable Energy & Clean Energy Transition

– Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean

– Agriculture, Trade & Food Security

– Health, Education, Diversity & Inclusion

– Circular Economy

– Sustainable Tourism

– FinTech & Climate Innovation