Virtual Island Summit 2023 | Island Innovation | 24 September 2023 | Virtual

What is this Summit for?

• Interactive sessions in various formats. The Summit will imitate a traditional in-person event with opportunities to interact with speakers and other attendees with the goal of creating an online community.
• The SDGs and beyond. The Summit will covers all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in addition to other topics pertinent to island communities.
• A diverse range of viewpoints. Speakers and attendees from 100+ island communities including the Arctic, Caribbean, Europe, Indian Ocean, Pacific Islands, South America and beyond.
• Cross-sector collaboration. The Summit will emphasize the need for input and partnerships from across the private, public, academic and NGO sectors.
• Free access to world-class experts. The Summit will be a free event to attend in order to ensure maximum accessibility to expertise from a variety of fields.
• A zero carbon conference. The Summit will use modern technology to maximize opportunities for participation and minimize harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

2023 Speakers

Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew
Prime Minister of Saint Kitts & Nevis

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC
Commonwealth Secretary-General

Hon. Otis Morris
Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy and Utilities and Telecommunications Commission, Turks and Caicos Islands Government

Sathiabama Thirugnana
Director, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia OTEC

Hon. Steven Myers
Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, Prince Edward Island

Paula Bastos
Economic & Environmentap Impacts Researcher, WAVEC

Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru
Chair of AOSIS and Permanent Representative of Samoa to the UN

Catherine Jadot
Senior Technical Expert, Climate Resilience

Mikk Tuisk
Mayor of Saaremaa Municipality, Saaremaa Island

Professor Elaine Stratford
Professor of Geography and Associate Executive Dean in the College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania

Edesio Miranda-Barbosa
Chief Technology Officer, Eigersund Industry and Port

Professor Elizabeth McMahon
Professor of English, University of New South Wales, Australia

Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon
President, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)

Paloma Zapata
Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Travel International

Professor Godfrey Baldacchino
President, International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA); and Malta Ambassador-at-large for Islands and Small States

Eero Ailio
Adviser, Energy Transition and Local Governance, European Commission

Merit Karise
Teacher of Creativity, Kuressaare Regional Training Centre, Saaremaa

Edison Rijna
Special Envoy for the BES islands for EU and UN and Economic Development with Latin America and Caribbean

Jan Gimbert
Employability Lead, Further Education and Higher Education Support, Isle of Man Department of Education

Zachary Franklin
Managing Director, Falkland Islands Development Corporation

Natalia Bayona
Executive Director, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Søren Hermansen
Director, Samsø Energy Academy

Rabab Fatima
High Representative, United Nations for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)

Nico Gramenz
CGO & Co-Founder, Project Bay

Ana Brito e Melo
Senior Advisor, WavEC - Offshore Renewables

Raúl García Brink
Vice President, Island Energy Council & Environment, Energy, Climate & Knowledge Counselor, Council of Gran Canaria

Hilary Jeune
Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Government of Jersey

David O’Sullivan
Our Shared Ocean - Programme Manager, Marine Institute of Ireland

Karibaiti Taoaba
Regional Director Commonwealth Local, Government Forum (CLGF) Pacific

Jörgen Pettersson
Chairman, International Island Games Association

Claire Ferguson
Team Leader, Climate Change Strategy, Shetland Islands Council

Olly Newton
Executive Director, Edge Foundation

Julie Thomas
Chief Minister, Government of Saint Helena

Dr. Andrew Jennings
Associate Professor in Island Studies, University of the Highlands and Islands

Nikhil Rajana
Business Analytics, Trinity College, Dublin and Experienced Data Scientist

2023 Partners

• Global Island Partnership
• Climate Tracker.org