Thanks to all our Speakers, Sponsors, Partners and Attendees for a great event.


Virtual Island Summit
Prosperous Islands Worldwide
What is the Virtual Island Summit?
The Virtual Island Summit is a global online conference designed to connect islanders around the world and address the unique challenges island communities face. This free event connects islanders and island enthusiasts to share knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions on critical island issues.
Here's what makes the Virtual Island Summit unique:


Free access to world-class experts
The Summit is a free event to attend in order to ensure maximum accessibility to expertise from a variety of fields.


A zero carbon conference
The Summit uses modern technology to maximize opportunities for participation and minimize harmful greenhouse gas emissions.


Interactive sessions in various formats
The Summit mirrors 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 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 emphasizes the need for input and partnerships from across the private, public, academic and NGO sectors.
Whether you’re an island resident, have a passion for islands, or simply want to learn more about these unique communities, the Virtual Island Summit offers a valuable platform for connection, knowledge sharing, and positive change.
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Virtual Island Summit in numbers
Attendees
Engage with a vast network of passionate island enthusiasts and stakeholders.
Islands Represented
Connect with a diverse range of island communities from every corner of the globe.
Speaker Showcase
Learn from leading experts across various fields, united in their dedication to island success.
Free Event
Knowledge empowers. All sessions and resources are available completely free of charge.
Content Tracks
The Virtual Island Summit 2024 hosted eight Content Tracks. Each Track was a learning path with sessions that helped attendees develop more in-depth knowledge about a specific topic and industry.
Sustainable Tourism
FinTech and Climate Innovation
Session Recordings
Virtual Island Summit 2025
Save your seat!
Meet the Speakers
We brought together a remarkable assembly of leading minds dedicated to a thriving island future. Our speaker showcase featured a diverse range of experts across various fields, united by their passion for island communities.


Fernando Clavijo
Nació en San Cristóbal de la Laguna. Tiene 51 años y es Licenciado en Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales por la Universidad de La Laguna. Ha trabajado en la empresa privada, compaginando esta actividad con sus estudios. Fue concejal del Ayuntamiento de La Laguna entre 2003 y 2007. Precisamente este año fue nom- brado alcalde de La Laguna, cargo que ocupó hasta 2015, cuando tras las Eleccio- nes Locales y Autonómicas fue investido Presidente de Canarias (2015-2019). Tras los comicios electorales de ese último año, en julio de 2019, fue designado sena- dor por la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias, cargo que ocupó hasta la disolución de las Cortes Generales a finales de mayo de 2023. Concurrió a las Elecciones Locales y Autonómicas que se celebraron en mayo de 2023 como candidato del Grupo Nacionalista Canario a la Presidencia de Canarias, el 12 de julio de este mimo año fue investido Presidente de Canarias.
Fernando Clavijo
Nació en San Cristóbal de la Laguna. Tiene 51 años y es Licenciado en Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales por la Universidad de La Laguna. Ha trabajado en la empresa privada, compaginando esta actividad con sus estudios. Fue concejal del Ayuntamiento de La Laguna entre 2003 y 2007. Precisamente este año fue nom- brado alcalde de La Laguna, cargo que ocupó hasta 2015, cuando tras las Eleccio- nes Locales y Autonómicas fue investido Presidente de Canarias (2015-2019). Tras los comicios electorales de ese último año, en julio de 2019, fue designado sena- dor por la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias, cargo que ocupó hasta la disolución de las Cortes Generales a finales de mayo de 2023. Concurrió a las Elecciones Locales y Autonómicas que se celebraron en mayo de 2023 como candidato del Grupo Nacionalista Canario a la Presidencia de Canarias, el 12 de julio de este mimo año fue investido Presidente de Canarias.
President of the Government of the Canary Islands
Prime Minister and Chair of CARICOM, Government of Grenada
Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, Isle of Man Government


Solange Ludmila Duncan
Ludmila was born and raised on St. Maarten and holds a Master of Science in Development Management from the University of Birmingham.
She was a Member of Parliament from 2020 to 2024. She now runs her own consultancy focused on research, policy and project management.
As a Member of Parliament Ludmila established the permanent Committee for Constitutional Affairs and Decolonization. In 2023, as a member of the Interinsular Consultation on Slavery Past she presented a position paper proposing the establishment of a Dutch Caribbean Commission for Reparations and Healing.
Ludmila is one of the founders of the St. Martin Archives and Heritage Platform and is an advocate for the preservation and promotion of heritage, culture and development of the creative economy on St. Maarten.
Solange Ludmila Duncan
Ludmila was born and raised on St. Maarten and holds a Master of Science in Development Management from the University of Birmingham.
She was a Member of Parliament from 2020 to 2024. She now runs her own consultancy focused on research, policy and project management.
As a Member of Parliament Ludmila established the permanent Committee for Constitutional Affairs and Decolonization. In 2023, as a member of the Interinsular Consultation on Slavery Past she presented a position paper proposing the establishment of a Dutch Caribbean Commission for Reparations and Healing.
Ludmila is one of the founders of the St. Martin Archives and Heritage Platform and is an advocate for the preservation and promotion of heritage, culture and development of the creative economy on St. Maarten.
Consultant and Researcher, Former Member of Parliament St. Maarten


Sen. Mike Gabbard
Senator Mike Gabbard currently serves as chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment. He is also a member of the Committee on Judiciary and Committee on Government Operations.
Senator Gabbard represents Hawai‘i’s 21st Senatorial District and has served in the Hawai‘i State Senate since 2006. Gabbard served on the Honolulu City Council from 2003-2005. Born on January 15, 1948 in American Samoa, Senator Gabbard and his wife, Carol, have five children: Bhakti, Jai, Ryan, Tulsi, and Vrindavan. Senator Gabbard is a graduate from Choctawhatchee High School and received a B.A. in English from California State University, Sonoma in 1971. He continued his education, receiving an M.Ed. in Adult Education with emphasis on community college administration from Oregon State University in 1980.
Sen. Mike Gabbard
Senator Mike Gabbard currently serves as chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment. He is also a member of the Committee on Judiciary and Committee on Government Operations.
Senator Gabbard represents Hawai‘i’s 21st Senatorial District and has served in the Hawai‘i State Senate since 2006. Gabbard served on the Honolulu City Council from 2003-2005. Born on January 15, 1948 in American Samoa, Senator Gabbard and his wife, Carol, have five children: Bhakti, Jai, Ryan, Tulsi, and Vrindavan. Senator Gabbard is a graduate from Choctawhatchee High School and received a B.A. in English from California State University, Sonoma in 1971. He continued his education, receiving an M.Ed. in Adult Education with emphasis on community college administration from Oregon State University in 1980.
Chair, Agriculture and Environment Committee, State Senate of Hawaii
Manager, Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann Teo


Olly Newton
Olly Newton spent 12 years in the Department for Education working on policies including 14-19 diplomas, raising the participation age and finally as Head of Apprenticeship Strategy. Olly is now Executive Director of the Edge Foundation, where he oversees a programme of primary research, is lead author on all of the charity’s policy reports and runs the Edge Future Learning delivery programme for schools and colleges. At Edge, Olly founded the Island Education Network to support and connect islands around the UK and overseas with their education work. In his spare time, Olly volunteers with the Scout Association, is Enterprise Adviser for Firth Park Academy and supports community theatre in Sheffield.
Olly Newton
Olly Newton spent 12 years in the Department for Education working on policies including 14-19 diplomas, raising the participation age and finally as Head of Apprenticeship Strategy. Olly is now Executive Director of the Edge Foundation, where he oversees a programme of primary research, is lead author on all of the charity’s policy reports and runs the Edge Future Learning delivery programme for schools and colleges. At Edge, Olly founded the Island Education Network to support and connect islands around the UK and overseas with their education work. In his spare time, Olly volunteers with the Scout Association, is Enterprise Adviser for Firth Park Academy and supports community theatre in Sheffield.
Executive Director, Edge Foundation


Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks
The Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks became the Minister of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency in 2023. Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2021 and duly installed as the youngest Speaker of the House of Parliament on December 7, 2022. In her Speakership role, she was the Chair of the Parliament Management Council, President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Cayman Islands Branch, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Youth Parliament Organising Committee Chairperson.
Hon. Ebanks-Wilks has also served as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Financial Services, and Commerce and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education. In addition, she served as Acting Minister of Financial Services, Commerce, Investment, Innovation, and Social Development and as acting Minister of Education.
Hon. Ebanks-Wilks has over 15 years of experience in the legal profession, first working as a Financial Services Paralegal in the private sector and as a Research Paralegal at the Cayman Islands Law Reform Commission.
Hon. Ebanks-Wilks is deeply passionate about her community and the Cayman Islands. As well as representing the constituency of West Bay Central, she is a founding director of the United Against Bullying Foundation. This non-profit organization focuses on the prevention and education of bullying behavior. She is also a director of the Cayman Islands Youth Development Consortium, a non-profit organization that supports at-risk youth. In her new role, the Hon. Minister has been avidly working with the Ministry team to implement the Climate Change Policy and the updated National Energy Policy.
Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks
The Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks became the Minister of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency in 2023. Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2021 and duly installed as the youngest Speaker of the House of Parliament on December 7, 2022. In her Speakership role, she was the Chair of the Parliament Management Council, President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Cayman Islands Branch, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Youth Parliament Organising Committee Chairperson.
Hon. Ebanks-Wilks has also served as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Financial Services, and Commerce and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education. In addition, she served as Acting Minister of Financial Services, Commerce, Investment, Innovation, and Social Development and as acting Minister of Education.
Hon. Ebanks-Wilks has over 15 years of experience in the legal profession, first working as a Financial Services Paralegal in the private sector and as a Research Paralegal at the Cayman Islands Law Reform Commission.
Hon. Ebanks-Wilks is deeply passionate about her community and the Cayman Islands. As well as representing the constituency of West Bay Central, she is a founding director of the United Against Bullying Foundation. This non-profit organization focuses on the prevention and education of bullying behavior. She is also a director of the Cayman Islands Youth Development Consortium, a non-profit organization that supports at-risk youth. In her new role, the Hon. Minister has been avidly working with the Ministry team to implement the Climate Change Policy and the updated National Energy Policy.
Minister of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency, Government of Cayman Islands


Paula Bastos
Paula Bastos is the Lead Analyst for Economy and Life Cycle Assessment at WavEC Offshore Renewables. She specialises in the techno-economic and socio-economic evaluation of marine and offshore projects, including greenhouse gas emissions assessment throughout their lifetimes. Paula is a key contributor to the PLOTEC EU-funded project, focusing on the feasibility analysis of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology. Her work aims to assess the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and carbon footprint of the solution to demonstrate the sustainability, and competitiveness of OTEC, identify investment challenges and explore opportunities to overcome these barriers for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Paula Bastos
Paula Bastos is the Lead Analyst for Economy and Life Cycle Assessment at WavEC Offshore Renewables. She specialises in the techno-economic and socio-economic evaluation of marine and offshore projects, including greenhouse gas emissions assessment throughout their lifetimes. Paula is a key contributor to the PLOTEC EU-funded project, focusing on the feasibility analysis of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology. Her work aims to assess the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and carbon footprint of the solution to demonstrate the sustainability, and competitiveness of OTEC, identify investment challenges and explore opportunities to overcome these barriers for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Economic and Environmental Impacts Researcher, WAVEC


Sam Johnston
Sam Johnston assumes overall engineering responsibility and multi-disciplinary coordination of all technical packages of the OTEC Barge. Since 2018, Sam has undertaken detailed investigations into the structural and mechanical design of OTEC platform designs to better understand their structural integrity and perfect their electricity generation process.
Global OTEC is one of the partners of the pan-European consortium PLOTEC, which is designing an OTEC platform capable of withstanding the extreme weather effects of tropical oceans, with a viable cost model, validated by a scaled demonstration of a structure.
Sam Johnston
Sam Johnston assumes overall engineering responsibility and multi-disciplinary coordination of all technical packages of the OTEC Barge. Since 2018, Sam has undertaken detailed investigations into the structural and mechanical design of OTEC platform designs to better understand their structural integrity and perfect their electricity generation process.
Global OTEC is one of the partners of the pan-European consortium PLOTEC, which is designing an OTEC platform capable of withstanding the extreme weather effects of tropical oceans, with a viable cost model, validated by a scaled demonstration of a structure.
Senior Engineer, Global OTEC Resources Ltd.
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Meet our Sponsors




CALSTART works with its member companies and agencies to build a high-tech clean-transportation industry that creates jobs, cuts air pollution and oil imports and curbs climate change. We work with the public and private sectors to knock down barriers to innovation, progress and drive the transportation industry to a clean and prosperous future. CALSTART accelerates the pace of technology and is a market building organization.




Established in 2012, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) is the realization of a bold vision to create reliable, long-term funding for conservation and sustainable development in the Caribbean region. The CBF and a group of National Conservation Trust Fund form the Caribbean Sustainable Finance Architecture, which, among other objectives, supports and incentivizes targeted Caribbean nations to meet the goals of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI), national conservation priorities, and targets under other international and regional commitments.




Edge is the independent education charity dedicated to making education relevant. We believe a coherent, unified and holistic education system can support social equity and enable all young people to fulfil their potential.
Edge’s research shows that a broad and balanced curriculum, including creative and technical subjects, rich employer engagement, teacher autonomy and interactive pedagogy, can help to bring learning alive and prepare students for more than just a set of exams.
Edge runs the Island Education Network, which brings together islands around the British Isles and British Overseas Territories to discuss issues relating to education policy in an island setting.




PLOTEC is a pan-European consortium that will design and validate an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) platform capable of withstanding the extreme weather effects of tropical oceans, with a viable cost model, validated by a scaled demonstration of a structure.




Cultivating a lasting legacy of sustainability in the Cayman Islands by achieving environmental, social, and economic balance, with a view to maximising benefits across all three areas of this triple bottom line to make the lives of current and future generations better. Priorities include addressing the existential threats posed by climate change through an updated national Climate Change Policy; supporting the transition to renewable energy through the National Energy Policy and programmes designed to save energy and reduce cost of living; maintaining and enhancing the ecosystem services provided by our unique natural environments; and facilitating the development of a framework to enable holistic, balanced decision-making across the three pillars of sustainable development.
Meet our Partners




Climate Tracker (CT) is an international non-profit organization, aiming to support, train and incentivise better climate journalism globally. We believe in the power of journalism, but recognise that many young journalists don’t have the training, resources or support to identify and tell the climate stories they want to. We also recognise that this challenge is often greatest in the countries hardest hit by climate change. Our mission is to support, train and incentivise young journalists in developing countries to tell better climate stories. By 2023, we aim to create a regionally diversified network that provides the best opportunities, training and support for early career climate journalists across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. To do this, we focus on provide training and fellowships for young journalists around the world to tell better climate stories locally, conduct action-oriented media research to better understand the biggest challenges, trends, and obstacles to powerful climate reporting around the world, fund young journalists to report on the world’s most pressing issues and cover the world’s biggest moments, UN negotiations and conferences, and support global collaborations between young climate journalists, newsrooms and NGOs around the world.




In 2006, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held its eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP). Recognising the specific challenges and vulnerabilities faced by islands, particularly Small Island Developing States, a programme of work was adopted specifically to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity on islands (decision viii/1). Healthy ecosystems underpin sustainable livelihoods, health and poverty eradication.
The decision further called on “Parties to establish national, sub-regional, regional and international island partnerships that bring Governments and civil society organizations together to increase political, financial and technical support to accelerate the implementation of the programme of work on island biodiversity”.
Inspired by this call, the leaders of Palau, Seychelles, Republic of Marshall Islands, Grenada and the British Virgin Islands came together to catalyse this into reality, and the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) was born.




We’re an international non-profit founded in 2003, with offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Amsterdam and Beijing.
In that time, we’ve grown our network to include over 500 multinational businesses in 175 markets worldwide.
We also work closely with governments at all levels. The Under2 Coalition, for which we are the Secretariat, is made up of 167 state and regional governments and has been named one of the international cooperative initiatives with the highest potential for emissions reductions.




The Institute of Island Studies (IIS) is a leading research and education center dedicated to understanding the unique challenges and opportunities facing small island communities. Based at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, IIS focuses on island culture, environment, and economy, with a particular emphasis on Prince Edward Island.
Through its research, education programs, and public engagement activities, IIS aims to bridge the gap between academia and local communities, contribute to policy development, and foster a deeper understanding of island issues on a global scale. By promoting interdisciplinary research and collaboration, IIS is committed to advancing knowledge and promoting sustainable development in small island regions.




ORRAA is the only multi-sector collaboration connecting the international finance and insurance sectors, governments, non-profits, and stakeholders from the Global South to pioneer finance products that incentivise investment into coastal and ocean Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Our mission, by 2030, is to activate at least USD$500 million of investment into this space, and in so doing, help build the resilience of 250 million climate vulnerable coastal people.




Island Conservation began as an idea shared by University of California, Santa Cruz professors Don Croll and Bernie Tershy after witnessing the impacts of invasive species on islands in Mexico first-hand while conducting their seabird research. These humble beginnings grew into a network of conservationists in 1994 and became an international non-profit organization in 1997. Today, Island Conservation is on the front lines of preventing extinctions and working to expand the boundaries of island conservation efforts worldwide.
We work together with local communities, government management agencies, and conservation organizations on islands with the greatest potential for preventing the extinction of globally threatened species. We develop comprehensive and humane plans for the removal of invasive species, implement the removal of invasive species; and conduct research to better understand how invasive species removal changes and benefits island ecosystems and to inform future conservation action.
Island Conservation is headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA with field offices in Chile, Ecuador, Hawaii, New Zealand, Palau, and Puerto Rico. Since our founding in 1994, Island Conservation and our partners have successfully restored 71 islands worldwide, benefiting 1296 populations of 499 species and subspecies.




In June 2014, Impakter Magazine was born with a mission: bridging generations by connecting millennials to baby boomers.
Today, Impakter has grown into more than a magazine, sustainability powerhouse. However, our goal remains clear: Delivering reliable, data-based facts and high-quality articles researched by our team and global experts.
Our extended coverage spans from ESG, Finance, Business, Climate tech and Sustainable living, entertainment, science and more. We aim to provide everything you need to know about sustainability—all in one place.




The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) is a locally led organization dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable development in Antigua and Barbuda. For over 30 years, EAG has been working collaboratively to protect biodiversity, foster sustainable livelihoods, and promote nature-based solutions. Through programs like the Antigua Marine Conservation Programme, Offshore Islands Conservation Programme, and Redonda Ecosystem Reserve Programme, EAG is actively safeguarding the island nation’s natural treasures. By empowering local communities and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, EAG is making a significant contribution to the preservation of the Caribbean’s unique ecosystems.




The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable development in the Federated States of Micronesia. Through its various projects, MCT is working to conserve ecosystems, support local communities, and address the challenges of climate change. By empowering local people and fostering partnerships, MCT is making a significant contribution to the preservation of Micronesia’s natural heritage.




The Energy Mix is a community news site and e-digest on climate change, energy, and the shift off carbon. It’s published by Energy Mix Productions Inc., a Canadian non-profit headquartered on unceded Algonquin Anishnaabe territory, also known as Ottawa. We respect the sovereignty of the many Indigenous peoples and communities on whose land our work takes place.
Everything we do is meant to bring the climate news that makes a difference to a wider community.