Virtual Island Summit 2024 | Island Innovation | 8 September 2024 | Virtual

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 Past Speakers

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

Hon. Dickon Mitchell
Prime Minister, Government of Grenada

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC
Secretary-General, The Commonwealth

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

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

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

Hon. Gilmar Pisas
Prime Minister of Curacao

Jonathan Renouf
Deputy, St Brelade in the States Assembly of Jersey, and Minister for the Environment in the Council, Government Of Jersey

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

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

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

Olly Newton
Executive Director, Edge Foundation

Julie Thomas
Chief Minister, Government of Saint Helena

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

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

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

Natalia Bayona
Executive Director, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Mikk Tuisk
Mayor of Saaremaa Municipality, Saaremaa Island

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

Emily Wilkinson
Director, Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)

Sathiabama Thirugnana
Director, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia OTEC

Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador

Catherine Jadot
Managing Partner, ES Caribbean

Ulf Stenerhag
Founder, Wayout Water

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