This occasional newsletter highlights events and stories about innovation in sustainable development for rural, remote and island regions. We want to change the discourse to demonstrate how islandness can be a driver for innovation.
EVENT AGENDA
Side Events Agenda
From water and food security to climate resilience and geothermal energy, discover how islands are leading the way in sustainable development. Explore innovative solutions and collaborative strategies for a thriving island future.
Wednesday
May 28th 2025 | St. Vincent Room
Caribbean SIDS Are Ready for Action: Bold Steps by Conservation Trust Funds
9:00 AM
Across the Caribbean, Conservation Trust Funds are catalysing bold and inclusive environmental action. In this session hosted by the St. Christopher and Nevis Conservation Foundation (SCNCF), leaders will share how these funds are scaling up community-based solutions to drive food security, economic resilience, and climate adaptation. Expect practical insights and inspiring success stories from regional experts.
Duration: 1 hour
Engines of Growth: Building Knowledge Economies in SIDS
11:00 AM
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face challenges of scale, capacity, and resource limitations—but they also hold immense potential for innovation. This session, organised by ODI and RESI, explores how SIDS can harness the power of knowledge economies to address economic fragility and climate resilience. Featuring a presentation of ODI’s working paper and speakers from Mauritius, Fiji, and Barbados, the session will spotlight cutting-edge approaches to building resilient, future-facing economies.
Duration: 1 hour
Showcasing Regional 30x30 Approaches: For Policy and Practice
1:00 PM
The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) invites you to a high-level conversation on advancing ocean conservation through the “Actioning Blue: Caribbean 30×30 Vision and Roadmap.” This session brings together government leaders, multilateral agencies, and funding bodies to discuss sustainable financing strategies and regional policy frameworks. A must-attend for those championing marine protection and blue economy growth.
Duration: 1 hour
Grenada Room
Futures Thinking for the Caribbean
2:30 PM
Step into the future of the Blue Economy with this dynamic workshop led by Dr. Claire Nelson. Designed for island innovators and civil society organisations, this participatory session uses futures thinking and systems design to co-create tangible, accountable pathways for ocean sustainability. Build shared visions, develop actionable projects, and strengthen collaborative governance for a flourishing Blue Economy in SIDS.
Duration: 2 hours
Thursday
May 29th 2025 | St. Vincent Room
The Role of Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Development in SIDS and Island Territories
10:30 AM
Hosted by the University of Malta, this roundtable highlights the underappreciated value of cultural heritage in shaping sustainable futures for island territories. Join scholars, practitioners, and national trusts to explore how traditional knowledge systems and local practices can inform climate adaptation and sustainable development. Participants will collaboratively endorse a statement of commitment to foreground culture in future island policy agendas.
Duration: 1 hour & 30 mins.
