

Thanks to all our Speakers, Sponsors, Partners and Attendees for a great event.
What is the Virtual Island Summit?










Meet our Sponsors




Nathan Associates delivers creative, viable, and defensible analytic and economic solutions for government and commercial clients around the world. Our multidisciplinary, high-performing teams use a proactive, structured approach to navigate complexity, mitigate risk, and optimize success on every engagement. For more than 70 years, clients have relied on Nathan to handle complex, high‐stakes assignments, and provide exceptional value.




Blue Planet Energy's mission is to eliminate the use of carbon-based fuels and power the world with clean, reliable, affordable energy. The company is changing the way we power the world through super-high performance energy storage systems that make energy awareness delightful. Through years of research and testing at our advanced energy research lab on the Big Island of Hawaii, Blue Planet Energy created the safest, most powerful energy storage product that also provides the lowest lifetime cost of ownership. The company manufactures the Blue Ion battery systems - designed to be the fastest, most efficient installation - and makes them available through our certified dealer network.




Enexor has developed a bioenergy system that will help solve the world’s organic and plastic waste problem. The small-scale modular distributed energy technology converts a wide range of organic waste, including unrecycleable plastic and sargassum, into clean energy. Uniquely, Enexor’s bioenergy technology can also withstand hurricane force winds. By simultaneously providing immediate energy and waste disposal cost savings, coupled with significant reductions in harmful greenhouse gas (“GHG”) production – Enexor's patented system is incomparable to any other system in the world. Enexor BioEnergy is currently demonstrating how how sargassum can be used to create power.




Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports developing country governments transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in 33 partner countries with technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and by helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects and publications can be found in our website.




NB is proud of its Shetland roots, and has been serving clients successfully in the islands for over a decade and a half. The core team of skilled and highly experienced digital marketing experts is based in Lerwick, but also have an office in Edinburgh and collaborates with a worldwide network of specialist experts to deliver the best possible results for every client.
NB’s full team offers a formidable range of digital marketing skills, from strategy, planning and project management through to user interface design, HTML/CSS coding, content management system configuration, bespoke programming and integration, testing, and much more besides. This model allows NB to achieve a level of quality and sophistication normally only provided from city-based agencies many times our size.




Building on 100 years in the development, production and application of batteries Leclanché is a leading provider of turnkey battery energy storage solutions (BESS) based in Switzerland and operating internationally.
Leclanché is currently developing the largest solar generation plus energy storage project ever to be built in the Caribbean, a 35.6 MW solar energy plant and 44.2 MWh battery storage facility that will be built on government provided land in the Basseterre Valley, adjacent to the City of Basseterre and the current SKELEC PowerStation on the island of St. Kitts.




The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance between countries and territories in the Eastern Caribbean. It also performs the role of spreading responsibility and liability in the event of natural disaster.OECS currently has eleven members which together form a continuous archipelago across the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands. The membership of OECS is comprised of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Monserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe and Martinique are also associate members of OECS.




The Ministry of Economic Development of Curacao gives direction to sustainable economic development in order to realize a higher level of prosperity for the society of Curaçao and stimulates a strong competitive position and high quality production. This is achieved by providing optimal service, strengthening the economic structure and effectively responding to social and international developments.
The Ministry is responsible for policy, implementation and control on the following areas:
- Business, consisting of (micro) SME policy, economic development, capital market, competition policy, infrastructure, knowledge, economic and Agricultural fisheries production and business establishment policy.
- Economic Development and Innovation, consisting of market forces, innovation, energy, industry development, employment and macro-economic stability.
- Foreign Economic Cooperation, consisting of trade policy, international business and foreign investment.
Virtual Island Summit 2019 Session Recordings
Meet our Speakers


Kate Brown
Kate Brown is the Executive Director of the Global Island Partnership, a platform that enables island leaders and their supporters to take action to build resilient and sustainable island communities. Kate is a passionate advocate for islands and has extensive experience in all island regions globally, and brings an extensive network of island leaders, blue sky thinkers and people dedicated to supporting islands. She brings varied experiences: working inside government, nonprofits and intergovernmental organizations as well as a keen sense of the most important elements of the international policy setting space relevant to islands as well as what is needed for implementation to happen. Kate is originally from New Zealand, lived for 8 years in Samoa and now resides in Washington D.C. with her family.
Kate Brown
Kate Brown is the Executive Director of the Global Island Partnership, a platform that enables island leaders and their supporters to take action to build resilient and sustainable island communities. Kate is a passionate advocate for islands and has extensive experience in all island regions globally, and brings an extensive network of island leaders, blue sky thinkers and people dedicated to supporting islands. She brings varied experiences: working inside government, nonprofits and intergovernmental organizations as well as a keen sense of the most important elements of the international policy setting space relevant to islands as well as what is needed for implementation to happen. Kate is originally from New Zealand, lived for 8 years in Samoa and now resides in Washington D.C. with her family.
Executive Director at Global Island Partnership


Wanjohi Kabukuru
Wanjoh Kabukuru i is an award-winning international media trainer, editor and journalist, with a specialty in environmental journalism. Over the last 20 years his articles have been published in top-notch publications such as New African, African Business, Seychelles News Agency, African Banker, Radio France International (RFI), Inter Press Service (IPS), Diplomat East Africa, BBC Focus on Africa, Mail & Guardian, Africa Renewal and 100Reporters among other numerous publications. Wanjohi has worked extensively in the multi-cultural environments of more than 10 countries in East, Central and Horn of Africa together with the Indian Ocean nations and is a board member of several international media organisations. He is the current editor and head of the Indian Ocean Observatory Media Unit and a correspondent for the UN’s Africa Renewal, based on Lamu Island, Kenya.
Wanjohi Kabukuru
Wanjoh Kabukuru i is an award-winning international media trainer, editor and journalist, with a specialty in environmental journalism. Over the last 20 years his articles have been published in top-notch publications such as New African, African Business, Seychelles News Agency, African Banker, Radio France International (RFI), Inter Press Service (IPS), Diplomat East Africa, BBC Focus on Africa, Mail & Guardian, Africa Renewal and 100Reporters among other numerous publications. Wanjohi has worked extensively in the multi-cultural environments of more than 10 countries in East, Central and Horn of Africa together with the Indian Ocean nations and is a board member of several international media organisations. He is the current editor and head of the Indian Ocean Observatory Media Unit and a correspondent for the UN’s Africa Renewal, based on Lamu Island, Kenya.
Journalist & Editor at the Indian Ocean Observatory


Queen Quet
Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine is a published author, computer scientist, lecturer, mathematician, historian, columnist, preservationist, environmental justice advocate, environmentalist, film consultant, and “The Art-ivist.” She is the founder of the premiere advocacy organization for the continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition.
Session: Sustaining the Prosperity of Island Communities: Cultural Traditions and the Environmental Legacy
Queen Quet
Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine is a published author, computer scientist, lecturer, mathematician, historian, columnist, preservationist, environmental justice advocate, environmentalist, film consultant, and “The Art-ivist.” She is the founder of the premiere advocacy organization for the continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition.
Session: Sustaining the Prosperity of Island Communities: Cultural Traditions and the Environmental Legacy
Chieftess of the Gullah/geechee Nation


Christine Milne AO
Christine Milne was the Leader of the Australian Greens from 2012 to 2015 in the Australian Parliament. She was elected to represent Tasmania in the federal parliament in 2004 after a distinguished career in the Tasmanian state parliament (1989-98). She was instrumental in developing the Clean Energy Package, which was the core legislation responsible for addressing global warming. Christine also served on the Global Council of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from 2000-2008 with four years as one of the four global Vice Presidents. She represented the organization at the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention.
Christine was the first woman to lead a political party in Tasmania and is a leader in the environment movement in Australia and overseas. She was appointed to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1990 and has received many awards during her distinguished career. She has also been awarded the Inaugural Women in Leadership Award for Tasmania in 2015. She is currently a Patron of the Australian Solar Council, an advisory board member of the Climate Accountability Institute in the USA , an Ambassador of the 100% Renewable Energy Campaign of the World Future Council and the Global Greens Ambassador.
Christine Milne AO
Christine Milne was the Leader of the Australian Greens from 2012 to 2015 in the Australian Parliament. She was elected to represent Tasmania in the federal parliament in 2004 after a distinguished career in the Tasmanian state parliament (1989-98). She was instrumental in developing the Clean Energy Package, which was the core legislation responsible for addressing global warming. Christine also served on the Global Council of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from 2000-2008 with four years as one of the four global Vice Presidents. She represented the organization at the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention.
Christine was the first woman to lead a political party in Tasmania and is a leader in the environment movement in Australia and overseas. She was appointed to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1990 and has received many awards during her distinguished career. She has also been awarded the Inaugural Women in Leadership Award for Tasmania in 2015. She is currently a Patron of the Australian Solar Council, an advisory board member of the Climate Accountability Institute in the USA , an Ambassador of the 100% Renewable Energy Campaign of the World Future Council and the Global Greens Ambassador.
Current Global Greens Ambassador, Former Leader of the Australian Greens and Former Senator for Tasmania


Mike Eman
Mike is a politician and civic leader, who served as the Prime Minister of Aruba from 2009 to 2017, designing and implementing a vision of sustainable and shared prosperity that put Aruba on the path to greater use of renewable energy, a diversified knowledge-based economy and a stronger sense of community and social cohesion. Mike also served as President in 2016 of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the European Union, promoting a strategy to pursue sustainable development among its members. He advocated for a global transition to renewable energy, becoming a strong voice on the climate change threat facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), speaking at key fora, including the U.N. Security Council (2015) and the U.N. 3rd International Conference on SIDS (2014). Today, Mike continues his political work as Leader of the Opposition and resides in Aruba, working tirelessly to support sustainable development for island communities and as an advocate for renewable energy.
Mike Eman
Mike is a politician and civic leader, who served as the Prime Minister of Aruba from 2009 to 2017, designing and implementing a vision of sustainable and shared prosperity that put Aruba on the path to greater use of renewable energy, a diversified knowledge-based economy and a stronger sense of community and social cohesion. Mike also served as President in 2016 of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the European Union, promoting a strategy to pursue sustainable development among its members. He advocated for a global transition to renewable energy, becoming a strong voice on the climate change threat facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), speaking at key fora, including the U.N. Security Council (2015) and the U.N. 3rd International Conference on SIDS (2014). Today, Mike continues his political work as Leader of the Opposition and resides in Aruba, working tirelessly to support sustainable development for island communities and as an advocate for renewable energy.
Former Prime Minister of Aruba


Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino
Godfrey Baldacchino PhD (Warwick), BA (Gen.) (Malta), PGCE (Malta), MA (The Hague) is Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology at the University of Malta, Malta. He served as an Island Studies Teaching Fellow, UNESCO co-Chair and Canada Research Chair in Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Canada, between 2003 and 2020. He is founding Executive Editor of Island Studies Journal (ISSN:1715-2593), and since 2018 founding Executive Editor of Small States & Territories journal (ISSN:2616-8006). He served as Visiting Professor of Island Tourism at the Universita’ di Corsica Pascal Paoli, France (2012-2015). He was Member and Chair of the Malta Board of Cooperatives (1994-2003) and core member of the Malta-European Union Steering & Action Committee (MEUSAC). In 2008-2010, he was Vice-President of the Prince Edward Island Association for Newcomers to Canada. In 2014, he was elected President of the International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA). In June 2015, he was elected Chair of the Scientific Board of RETI, the global excellence network of island universities. In 2021, he was appointed (thematic) Malta Ambassador for islands and small states. He served as Pro-Rector for International Development and Quality Assurance (2016-2021) during the first Rectorate of Professor Alfred Vella at the University of Malta.
His research interests include: island studies, small state studies, political geography, sociology of work, international relations, island tourism, entrepreneurship, brain rotation, immigration, labour relations, human resource management, adult education, worker empowerment and the development of cooperatives.
Prof. Baldacchino has (co-)authored or (co-)edited some 50 books, reports and monographs; and has authored, since 1993, some 160 peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters.
Prof. Baldacchino`s work has appeared in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Swedish (and apart from English and Maltese).
Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino
Godfrey Baldacchino PhD (Warwick), BA (Gen.) (Malta), PGCE (Malta), MA (The Hague) is Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology at the University of Malta, Malta. He served as an Island Studies Teaching Fellow, UNESCO co-Chair and Canada Research Chair in Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Canada, between 2003 and 2020. He is founding Executive Editor of Island Studies Journal (ISSN:1715-2593), and since 2018 founding Executive Editor of Small States & Territories journal (ISSN:2616-8006). He served as Visiting Professor of Island Tourism at the Universita’ di Corsica Pascal Paoli, France (2012-2015). He was Member and Chair of the Malta Board of Cooperatives (1994-2003) and core member of the Malta-European Union Steering & Action Committee (MEUSAC). In 2008-2010, he was Vice-President of the Prince Edward Island Association for Newcomers to Canada. In 2014, he was elected President of the International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA). In June 2015, he was elected Chair of the Scientific Board of RETI, the global excellence network of island universities. In 2021, he was appointed (thematic) Malta Ambassador for islands and small states. He served as Pro-Rector for International Development and Quality Assurance (2016-2021) during the first Rectorate of Professor Alfred Vella at the University of Malta.
His research interests include: island studies, small state studies, political geography, sociology of work, international relations, island tourism, entrepreneurship, brain rotation, immigration, labour relations, human resource management, adult education, worker empowerment and the development of cooperatives.
Prof. Baldacchino has (co-)authored or (co-)edited some 50 books, reports and monographs; and has authored, since 1993, some 160 peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters.
Prof. Baldacchino`s work has appeared in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Swedish (and apart from English and Maltese).
Department of Sociology, University of Malta and Malta Ambassador-at-large for Islands and Small State


Daniel Hung
Daniel Hung (洪棟霖) is the Director of General Affairs Department for the Government of Taiwan, Penghu County, where he serves as Director of Tourism, Director of Planning Office, Director of Economic Affairs, and Director of General Affairs. He is also part of the research team at the Center for the Blue Economy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, California, on a Non-Academic Professional Program Fulbright Scholarship. He has a Master of Science in Urban Planning from the National Cheng-Kung University of Taiwan. His goal is to research trends in marine spatial planning, maritime security, offshore energy, and sustainable tourism in both the U.S. and Taiwan, and to incubate ‘Blue Economy Clusters’, or partnerships between the U.S. and Taiwan.
Daniel Hung
Daniel Hung (洪棟霖) is the Director of General Affairs Department for the Government of Taiwan, Penghu County, where he serves as Director of Tourism, Director of Planning Office, Director of Economic Affairs, and Director of General Affairs. He is also part of the research team at the Center for the Blue Economy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, California, on a Non-Academic Professional Program Fulbright Scholarship. He has a Master of Science in Urban Planning from the National Cheng-Kung University of Taiwan. His goal is to research trends in marine spatial planning, maritime security, offshore energy, and sustainable tourism in both the U.S. and Taiwan, and to incubate ‘Blue Economy Clusters’, or partnerships between the U.S. and Taiwan.
Director at Penghu County Government


Alejandro Nuñez Guerrero
Alejandro Nuñes Guerrero is a trained veterinarian from Porvenir, on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego. He is Director of the Tourism Hub and the Porvenir Campus of the University of Magallanes, an institution that provides higher education across the southern part of Chilean Patagonia.
Married and father of 5 children, Alejandro has an enormous love and commitment to the island of Tierra del Fuego and is currently concerned about seeking mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures for climate change. Alejandro was also the Director of Chile’s first ecomuseum, a councilman for the Commune of Porvenir, and is the coordinator and founder of the First Colloquium of Chilean-Argentine Binational Climate Change.
Alejandro Nuñez Guerrero
Alejandro Nuñes Guerrero is a trained veterinarian from Porvenir, on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego. He is Director of the Tourism Hub and the Porvenir Campus of the University of Magallanes, an institution that provides higher education across the southern part of Chilean Patagonia.
Married and father of 5 children, Alejandro has an enormous love and commitment to the island of Tierra del Fuego and is currently concerned about seeking mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures for climate change. Alejandro was also the Director of Chile’s first ecomuseum, a councilman for the Commune of Porvenir, and is the coordinator and founder of the First Colloquium of Chilean-Argentine Binational Climate Change.
Director of the Tourism Hub and the Porvenir Campus of the University of Magallanes


Laura Watts
Laura Watts is an ‘Ethnographer of Futures’ and writer, artist, poet, and scholar. She is an Interdisciplinary Senior Lecturer in Geography and the Lived Environment, Geosciences, University of Edinburgh. She works at the intersection of Science & Technology Studies (STS) and Anthropology. Her research and writing explores: “How does landscape effect the way the future is imagined and made? And how might places at the edge make the future otherwise?” She is the author of Energy at the End of the World: an Orkney Islands Saga, which tells the story of how these islands are making their own energy future, from marine energy to hydrogen fuel, at what some see as the edge of the world.
Session: Energy at the End of the World: An Orkney Islands Saga
Laura Watts
Laura Watts is an ‘Ethnographer of Futures’ and writer, artist, poet, and scholar. She is an Interdisciplinary Senior Lecturer in Geography and the Lived Environment, Geosciences, University of Edinburgh. She works at the intersection of Science & Technology Studies (STS) and Anthropology. Her research and writing explores: “How does landscape effect the way the future is imagined and made? And how might places at the edge make the future otherwise?” She is the author of Energy at the End of the World: an Orkney Islands Saga, which tells the story of how these islands are making their own energy future, from marine energy to hydrogen fuel, at what some see as the edge of the world.
Session: Energy at the End of the World: An Orkney Islands Saga
Ethnographer of Futures’ and Writer


Racquel Moses
Racquel Moses is a dynamic leader with a track record of driving transformative growth and change worldwide. With an impressive portfolio of leadership roles, Racquel has consistently pushed boundaries and spearheaded impactful initiatives in various industries. Currently serving as the CEO and a Director for the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, Racquel leads 11/3/2023 4:45 PM Island of Hope Speaker Form 17 / 30 the charge in driving climate-smart solutions and sustainable development across the Caribbean region. Her visionary guidance and strategic leadership have positioned the organization at the forefront of climate action. Her versatility enables her contributions which span many disciplines including currently serving as a Global Web3 Board member for Salesforce.com, as a Trustee for the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, and as a UNFCCC Global Ambassador. As a champion for global climate action, she actively advocates for change and promotes sustainability at a global level. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Racquel has made significant contributions in previous leadership positions, including her roles as the Head of Microsoft Trinidad and Tobago, President of InvesTT, and Regional Vice President for Fujitsu. Her strategic vision and ability to drive innovation have propelled organizations to achieve remarkable success. Racquel’s passion for collaboration and coalition-building has played a pivotal role in shaping regional consensus on critical issues such as climate change, sustainability, and building resilience. Her ability to inspire minds and drive impactful change has made her an influential force in shaping the global agenda.
Racquel Moses
Racquel Moses is a dynamic leader with a track record of driving transformative growth and change worldwide. With an impressive portfolio of leadership roles, Racquel has consistently pushed boundaries and spearheaded impactful initiatives in various industries. Currently serving as the CEO and a Director for the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, Racquel leads 11/3/2023 4:45 PM Island of Hope Speaker Form 17 / 30 the charge in driving climate-smart solutions and sustainable development across the Caribbean region. Her visionary guidance and strategic leadership have positioned the organization at the forefront of climate action. Her versatility enables her contributions which span many disciplines including currently serving as a Global Web3 Board member for Salesforce.com, as a Trustee for the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, and as a UNFCCC Global Ambassador. As a champion for global climate action, she actively advocates for change and promotes sustainability at a global level. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Racquel has made significant contributions in previous leadership positions, including her roles as the Head of Microsoft Trinidad and Tobago, President of InvesTT, and Regional Vice President for Fujitsu. Her strategic vision and ability to drive innovation have propelled organizations to achieve remarkable success. Racquel’s passion for collaboration and coalition-building has played a pivotal role in shaping regional consensus on critical issues such as climate change, sustainability, and building resilience. Her ability to inspire minds and drive impactful change has made her an influential force in shaping the global agenda.
UNFCCC Ambassador for Net Zero, and Chief Executive Officer


Pelenise Alofa
Pelenise Alofa – also known as ‘Maike Pilitati’ – is from Kiribati’s Banaba island and is National Coordinator of the Kiribati Climate Action Network (KiriCAN) a network of 20 organizations active on climate change. In 2012 Pelenise established partnership between KiriCAN and Live & Learn Environmental Education International, an organization doing adaptation projects in Kiribati and she now sits on the Board.
She is currently employed by the University of the South Pacific, Pacific Centre of Sustainable Development as In-Country Coordinator for the European Union/Global Climate Change Alliance project which aims to develop and strengthen the Pacific ACP countries’ capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change through capacity building, research and community engagement.
Pelenise Alofa
Pelenise Alofa – also known as ‘Maike Pilitati’ – is from Kiribati’s Banaba island and is National Coordinator of the Kiribati Climate Action Network (KiriCAN) a network of 20 organizations active on climate change. In 2012 Pelenise established partnership between KiriCAN and Live & Learn Environmental Education International, an organization doing adaptation projects in Kiribati and she now sits on the Board.
She is currently employed by the University of the South Pacific, Pacific Centre of Sustainable Development as In-Country Coordinator for the European Union/Global Climate Change Alliance project which aims to develop and strengthen the Pacific ACP countries’ capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change through capacity building, research and community engagement.
National Coordinator for the Kiribati Climate Action Network


Pedro Lopes
Pedro is known for organizing the first TEDx of Cabo Verde and for being the founder of Generation B-Bright, a youth empowerment organization. In 2017 he won the prize of “We are Cabo Verde – Best of the Year” in the category of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and was selected by the US Government to participate in the YALI Program. In 2018 he was selected by MIPAD as one of the Most Influential People in the World of Afro Descent in the world under 40 years old and was chosen by former President Obama to be part of his first leadership initiative in Africa – Obama Leaders. At the age of 31, he became the youngest member of the current Government of Cabo Verde by being appointed as Secretary of State for Innovation & TVET. Pedro was also nominated in 2018 for the “Young World Politician of the Year” Award by One Young World and he was on the 2018 list of Apolitical of 100 Future Leaders: The World’s Most Influential Young People in Government. He designed the model for the creation of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council and the innovation program “Cabo Verde Digital”.
Pedro Lopes
Pedro is known for organizing the first TEDx of Cabo Verde and for being the founder of Generation B-Bright, a youth empowerment organization. In 2017 he won the prize of “We are Cabo Verde – Best of the Year” in the category of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and was selected by the US Government to participate in the YALI Program. In 2018 he was selected by MIPAD as one of the Most Influential People in the World of Afro Descent in the world under 40 years old and was chosen by former President Obama to be part of his first leadership initiative in Africa – Obama Leaders. At the age of 31, he became the youngest member of the current Government of Cabo Verde by being appointed as Secretary of State for Innovation & TVET. Pedro was also nominated in 2018 for the “Young World Politician of the Year” Award by One Young World and he was on the 2018 list of Apolitical of 100 Future Leaders: The World’s Most Influential Young People in Government. He designed the model for the creation of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council and the innovation program “Cabo Verde Digital”.
Secretary of State for Innovation and Tvet, Government of Cabo Verde


James Stockan
James Stockan is the elected Leader of Orkney Islands Council. He is leader of the Independent group of Councillors at COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities). James was first elected to the Council in 2003 and has served various roles including Chair of Economic Development, Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee. He also served as Chair of HiTrans – Highlands and Islands Transport partnership. James has a background in family business and was Executive Director of Todds in Orkney. Born, bred and still living in Stromness, James strives to help deliver community benefit and excellent services for the people of Orkney
James Stockan
James Stockan is the elected Leader of Orkney Islands Council. He is leader of the Independent group of Councillors at COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities). James was first elected to the Council in 2003 and has served various roles including Chair of Economic Development, Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee. He also served as Chair of HiTrans – Highlands and Islands Transport partnership. James has a background in family business and was Executive Director of Todds in Orkney. Born, bred and still living in Stromness, James strives to help deliver community benefit and excellent services for the people of Orkney
Leader of Orkney Islands Council


Justin Locke
Justin Locke is responsible for strategic oversight and leadership for Carbon War Room’s Islands Energy Program, which guides island governments and utilities to define and achieve their energy visions. The program aims to accelerate the transition of island economies from a heavy dependence on fossil fuels to a diverse platform of renewables and energy efficiency while establishing a blueprint for other isolated economies. Justin previously held the position of disaster risk management specialist at the World Bank, where he was instrumental in accessing climate financing for Eastern Caribbean countries where he led national planning processes designed to develop and deploy tailored, broad-based national adaptation and mitigation strategies for achieving cross-sectoral climate resilience.
Justin Locke
Justin Locke is responsible for strategic oversight and leadership for Carbon War Room’s Islands Energy Program, which guides island governments and utilities to define and achieve their energy visions. The program aims to accelerate the transition of island economies from a heavy dependence on fossil fuels to a diverse platform of renewables and energy efficiency while establishing a blueprint for other isolated economies. Justin previously held the position of disaster risk management specialist at the World Bank, where he was instrumental in accessing climate financing for Eastern Caribbean countries where he led national planning processes designed to develop and deploy tailored, broad-based national adaptation and mitigation strategies for achieving cross-sectoral climate resilience.
Senior Director, Islands Energy, Rocky Mountain Institute


Riad Meddeb
Riad Meddeb is a seasoned economist and international development professional specializing in trade, investment, migration, and technology innovation to address issues and facilitate decisions of policymakers with over 20 years’ experience working with UN agencies, such as UNDP, UNCTAD and UNITAR – and the ILO and the University of Paris. Riad has extensive experience as an economic and policy advisor to the UN and foreign governments, such as providing assessment and policy advice on economic recovery and livelihoods to support country to mainstream and implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Adept at managing programs and staff, strategic and political savvy, and works in multiple languages. Worked in fragile and post-conflict country contexts and Small Islands Developing States, such as Comoros, Mauritius, Cambodia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Guinea, Burkina Faso, etc.
Riad Meddeb
Riad Meddeb is a seasoned economist and international development professional specializing in trade, investment, migration, and technology innovation to address issues and facilitate decisions of policymakers with over 20 years’ experience working with UN agencies, such as UNDP, UNCTAD and UNITAR – and the ILO and the University of Paris. Riad has extensive experience as an economic and policy advisor to the UN and foreign governments, such as providing assessment and policy advice on economic recovery and livelihoods to support country to mainstream and implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Adept at managing programs and staff, strategic and political savvy, and works in multiple languages. Worked in fragile and post-conflict country contexts and Small Islands Developing States, such as Comoros, Mauritius, Cambodia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Guinea, Burkina Faso, etc.
Director of the Sustainable Energy Hub, UNDP


Lisa Drewe
Dr. Lisa Drewe invented the term ‘Islandeering’ to describe her passion and argues it shares the same psychology as climbing to the summit of a mountain. Islandeering is making a circular journey around the outer edge of an island by any means possible – walking, scrambling or paddling, and Lisa has since authored a book: ‘Islandeering: An explorer’s guide to the islands of Britain.’
Session: Islandeering: Adventures Around the Edge of Britain’s Hidden Islands
Lisa Drewe
Dr. Lisa Drewe invented the term ‘Islandeering’ to describe her passion and argues it shares the same psychology as climbing to the summit of a mountain. Islandeering is making a circular journey around the outer edge of an island by any means possible – walking, scrambling or paddling, and Lisa has since authored a book: ‘Islandeering: An explorer’s guide to the islands of Britain.’
Session: Islandeering: Adventures Around the Edge of Britain’s Hidden Islands
Author of Islandeering
Chief Tourism Officer at Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation in Belize


Adam Borison
Dr. Borison, Nathan Senior Vice President, is an internationally recognized consultant, academic, and entrepreneur. He has deep academic qualifications and professional experience in economics, engineering, and mathematics, and more than 30 years of experience applying advanced methods to planning and operations in power, fuels, and transport. He has broad experience across a wide range of geographies, technologies, and applications, with a particular focus on renewable generation and transportation electrification. In recent work, Dr. Borison supported independent wind/solar/battery development; analyzed renewable energy market entry strategies; evaluated EV incentive programs, designed custom transportation electrification rates, and developed country-level electric mobility strategies and roadmaps. His work is described further on Nathan’s transportation electrification webpage: https://www.nathaninc.com/transportation-electrification/
Adam Borison
Dr. Borison, Nathan Senior Vice President, is an internationally recognized consultant, academic, and entrepreneur. He has deep academic qualifications and professional experience in economics, engineering, and mathematics, and more than 30 years of experience applying advanced methods to planning and operations in power, fuels, and transport. He has broad experience across a wide range of geographies, technologies, and applications, with a particular focus on renewable generation and transportation electrification. In recent work, Dr. Borison supported independent wind/solar/battery development; analyzed renewable energy market entry strategies; evaluated EV incentive programs, designed custom transportation electrification rates, and developed country-level electric mobility strategies and roadmaps. His work is described further on Nathan’s transportation electrification webpage: https://www.nathaninc.com/transportation-electrification/
Senior Vice President, Nathan Associates
PhD Researcher, University of the Highlands and Islands


Alejandro Nuñez Guerrero
Alejandro Nuñes Guerrero is a trained veterinarian from Porvenir, on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego. He is Director of the Tourism Hub and the Porvenir Campus of the University of Magallanes, an institution that provides higher education across the southern part of Chilean Patagonia.
Married and father of 5 children, Alejandro has an enormous love and commitment to the island of Tierra del Fuego and is currently concerned about seeking mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures for climate change. Alejandro was also the Director of Chile’s first ecomuseum, a councilman for the Commune of Porvenir, and is the coordinator and founder of the First Colloquium of Chilean-Argentine Binational Climate Change.
Alejandro Nuñez Guerrero
Alejandro Nuñes Guerrero is a trained veterinarian from Porvenir, on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego. He is Director of the Tourism Hub and the Porvenir Campus of the University of Magallanes, an institution that provides higher education across the southern part of Chilean Patagonia.
Married and father of 5 children, Alejandro has an enormous love and commitment to the island of Tierra del Fuego and is currently concerned about seeking mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures for climate change. Alejandro was also the Director of Chile’s first ecomuseum, a councilman for the Commune of Porvenir, and is the coordinator and founder of the First Colloquium of Chilean-Argentine Binational Climate Change.
Director of the Tourism Hub and the Porvenir Campus of the University of Magallanes


Alexis Chatzimpiros
Alexis holds a Physics Degree and an M.Sc in Energy Production and Management. He has been developing and coordinating international energy and sustainable development projects for 13 years. He has extensive experience in island and sustainable development policies in the EU, advocacy for appropriate policies for local and regional authorities, and coordination of networks. Since 2017 he coordinates an international project aiming to bring together and support communities around the world willing to engage in their own energy transition.
Alexis Chatzimpiros
Alexis holds a Physics Degree and an M.Sc in Energy Production and Management. He has been developing and coordinating international energy and sustainable development projects for 13 years. He has extensive experience in island and sustainable development policies in the EU, advocacy for appropriate policies for local and regional authorities, and coordination of networks. Since 2017 he coordinates an international project aiming to bring together and support communities around the world willing to engage in their own energy transition.
Samso Energy Academy/Tentou Project


Ali Russell
Ali Russell has been working in the sports industry for over 20 years, with a career spanning across multiple sports, including roles in rugby, football and motorsport. He has worked in several high-profile positions including Chief Marketing Officer at FIA Formula E, Chief Operating Officer at Rangers and Acting Managing Director at Queens Park Rangers.
Ali is currently setting up Extreme E, a pioneering new series set to revolutionise motorsport. Extreme E’s mission is to showcase electric SUV performance in extreme conditions, whilst encouraging global action to combat the devastating environmental issues threatening our planets future. The series provides competitive platform for accelerating the development of electric vehicles, to help create a low – carbon future powered by renewable energy committed to supporting and partnering with organisations working to restore degraded environments in which we race, the precious ecosystems within them and Chief Marketing Officer, Extreme Ethe people who live there.
Ali Russell
Ali Russell has been working in the sports industry for over 20 years, with a career spanning across multiple sports, including roles in rugby, football and motorsport. He has worked in several high-profile positions including Chief Marketing Officer at FIA Formula E, Chief Operating Officer at Rangers and Acting Managing Director at Queens Park Rangers.
Ali is currently setting up Extreme E, a pioneering new series set to revolutionise motorsport. Extreme E’s mission is to showcase electric SUV performance in extreme conditions, whilst encouraging global action to combat the devastating environmental issues threatening our planets future. The series provides competitive platform for accelerating the development of electric vehicles, to help create a low – carbon future powered by renewable energy committed to supporting and partnering with organisations working to restore degraded environments in which we race, the precious ecosystems within them and Chief Marketing Officer, Extreme Ethe people who live there.
Chief Marketing Officer, Extreme E


Alice Rogoff
Ms. Rogoff is Publisher and founder of “ArcticToday” and former Publisher and owner of Alaska Dispatch News. She co-founded the international forum “Arctic Circle,” together with former President Olafur Grimsson of Iceland.
Alice Rogoff
Ms. Rogoff is Publisher and founder of “ArcticToday” and former Publisher and owner of Alaska Dispatch News. She co-founded the international forum “Arctic Circle,” together with former President Olafur Grimsson of Iceland.
Founder of Arctictoday
Meet our Partners


Opened in Montego Bay, Jamaica by Richard Branson in September 2011, the Centre is a hub for budding entrepreneurs who gain access to knowledge, markets, networks and resources through the a dynamic and practical business training and support programme. Through the Centre’s personalized and family-like approach, Branson entrepreneurs form personal relationships and business linkages through a peer and partnership network that assists them to grow their operations. They also receive ongoing support in the form of mentorship, coaching, expert guidance and information exchange. Branson Centre entrepreneurs are selected through a rigorous recruitment process used to identify the most passionate and socially minded visionaries who use “business as a force for good” and act as change-makers in their community. By supporting the development of small and growing businesses, the Centre helps to create jobs and contribute to the economy in the Caribbean region.


Polar Research and Policy Initiative (PRPI) is a London-based international, independent think-tank dedicated to Arctic, Nordic, North Atlantic, North Pacific and Antarctic affairs.
Headquartered in the UK and with a presence across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific, PRPI operates principally in the international arena and is committed to supporting sustainable regional development through multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral and multi-national dialogue and cooperation. Every year, PRPI convenes 50-60 high-level policy dialogues around the world that bring together policymakers, business executives, civil society heads and thought leaders to exchange ideas, make connections and identify avenues for collaboration on topics of shared concern or interest. In addition, it also advances greater understanding about its focus regions through analysis and commentary it publishes on its digital platform, The Polar Connection, and various national and international media outlets, as well as through policy reports, briefings, edited volumes and written/oral evidence to Parliamentary inquiries.




Enexor has developed a bioenergy system that will help solve the world’s organic and plastic waste problem. The small-scale modular distributed energy technology converts a wide range of organic waste, including unrecycleable plastic and sargassum, into clean energy. Uniquely, Enexor’s bioenergy technology can also withstand hurricane force winds. By simultaneously providing immediate energy and waste disposal cost savings, coupled with significant reductions in harmful greenhouse gas (“GHG”) production – Enexor's patented system is incomparable to any other system in the world. Enexor BioEnergy is currently demonstrating how how sargassum can be used to create power.




Blue Planet Energy's mission is to eliminate the use of carbon-based fuels and power the world with clean, reliable, affordable energy. The company is changing the way we power the world through super-high performance energy storage systems that make energy awareness delightful. Through years of research and testing at our advanced energy research lab on the Big Island of Hawaii, Blue Planet Energy created the safest, most powerful energy storage product that also provides the lowest lifetime cost of ownership. The company manufactures the Blue Ion battery systems - designed to be the fastest, most efficient installation - and makes them available through our certified dealer network.




The Ministry of Economic Development of Curacao gives direction to sustainable economic development in order to realize a higher level of prosperity for the society of Curaçao and stimulates a strong competitive position and high quality production. This is achieved by providing optimal service, strengthening the economic structure and effectively responding to social and international developments.
The Ministry is responsible for policy, implementation and control on the following areas:
- Business, consisting of (micro) SME policy, economic development, capital market, competition policy, infrastructure, knowledge, economic and Agricultural fisheries production and business establishment policy.
- Economic Development and Innovation, consisting of market forces, innovation, energy, industry development, employment and macro-economic stability.
- Foreign Economic Cooperation, consisting of trade policy, international business and foreign investment.




The Smart Nation movement is increasingly becoming an integral part of our nation’s strategy to achieve sustainable development across fundamental areas and opportunities to improve overall efficiency and quality of life.
Through the integration of ICT solutions across fundamental sectors a balanced socio-economic development is pursued, while ensuring that the needs of present and future generations are still met regarding economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects aiming for economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental protection, which constitute the foundation for sustainable development.




The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance between countries and territories in the Eastern Caribbean. It also performs the role of spreading responsibility and liability in the event of natural disaster.OECS currently has eleven members which together form a continuous archipelago across the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands. The membership of OECS is comprised of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Monserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe and Martinique are also associate members of OECS.




Building on 100 years in the development, production and application of batteries Leclanché is a leading provider of turnkey battery energy storage solutions (BESS) based in Switzerland and operating internationally.
Leclanché is currently developing the largest solar generation plus energy storage project ever to be built in the Caribbean, a 35.6 MW solar energy plant and 44.2 MWh battery storage facility that will be built on government provided land in the Basseterre Valley, adjacent to the City of Basseterre and the current SKELEC PowerStation on the island of St. Kitts.




Nathan Associates delivers creative, viable, and defensible analytic and economic solutions for government and commercial clients around the world. Our multidisciplinary, high-performing teams use a proactive, structured approach to navigate complexity, mitigate risk, and optimize success on every engagement. For more than 70 years, clients have relied on Nathan to handle complex, high‐stakes assignments, and provide exceptional value.


The Clinton Foundation is a non-profit organization established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton with the stated mission to “strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence. Its offices are located in New York City and Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Clinton Climate Initiative collaborates with world-class partners to increase the resiliency of communities facing climate change, and create replicable and sustainable models for others to follow. Our unique and innovative models encourage cross-sectorial collaborations. At the core of our engagement philosophy is Systems Thinking; identifying and activating leverage points that can create significant positive impact in climate change mitigation and energy transition for communities around the world. Through our programs and with our distinctive resources we aim to create measurable, meaningful, and lasting contributions.


The Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance (SCELG) is an international impact oriented policy relevant research centre based at the University of Strathclyde Law School in Glasgow, Scotland. Its members work on a diverse range of environmental law and governance areas and collaborate with national, regional and international partners in a wider number of projects and consultancies. SCELG’s work on islands is framed around its EILEAN Initiative that aims to better understand how island communities engage in legal and political processes to promote resilience and sustainability. SCELG has collaborated with Scottish Government in the implementation of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, which has led to the first National Islands Plan. SCELG has partnered with Island Innovation in carrying out a global survey on Islands and COVID-19 between March and June 2020. The survey had led to a final report that conveys data from 83 islands in 54 countries.




At Solo we believe the age of fossil fuels is dead, and we want to start making the transition to 100% renewables happen as quickly as possible, like now.
Solo are building the power plant of the future – the Virtual Power Plant. The building blocks of a Virtual Power Plant are batteries. Unlike a conventional power plant, our Virtual Power Plant is not a large industrial plant in one single location, but a connected system of distributed batteries and Electric Vehicles in homes and businesses across the grid. We digitally link these assets to act as an intelligent system of flexible demand and supply which help balance the intermittency of renewable generation.




Established in 2003, The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Ltd is the first and only centre of its kind in the world to provide developers of both wave and tidal energy converters – technologies that generate electricity by harnessing the power of waves and tidal streams – with purpose-built, accredited open-sea testing facilities.
Orkney is an ideal base for us with its excellent oceanic wave regime, strong tidal currents, grid connection, sheltered harbour facilities and the renewable, maritime and environmental expertise that exists within the local community.
With 13 grid-connected test berths, there have been more marine energy converters deployed at EMEC than at any other single site in the world, with developers attracted from around the globe to prove what is achievable in some of the harshest marine environments.




Operating globally from a hub in Orkney, off the north coast of Scotland, Aquatera provides environmental expertise and operational support for offshore, coastal and land-based activities. Our clients range from multinational corporations and national governments to individuals and community groups and we operate in more than 30 countries.
We take a multi-disciplinary approach to projects, supporting clients from planning right through to delivery and decommissioning. Our flexible business model, which draws on a wide network of associates and delivery partners, enables us to respond to clients’ needs whoever and wherever they are.




Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports developing country governments transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in 33 partner countries with technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and by helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects and publications can be found in our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
The summit is the first of its kind, and totally free! You can learn from world-leading experts from diverse backgrounds about the latest projects being deployed in island communities, with applications far beyond. Each session will be interactive with opportunities to ask questions and make connections. This year we are expanding to have even more features!
The summit is totally free!! You can sign up and all you need to take part is and an interet connection and the Zoom webinar software.
All are welcome to participate in the summit – feel free to invite friends and colleagues. Participants can take part in every session, or simply chose the sessions most relevant to them and are all encouraged to join the social media conversation.
The summit will be broadcast LIVE, taking place over multiple days in various timezones. Ideally, we want guests to join live as there will be opportunities to ask questions and interact with fellow attendees. However, all sessions will be recorded and made available online a few weeks after the summit.
We are no longer accepting speakers for this year’s event. If you would like to nominate a speaker for a future event click here.
We are no longer receiving sponsorship application for this event. But you can click here if you’re interested on sponsoring any of our events.
We always welcome ideas! Please get in touch.
We always welcome ideas! Please get in touch.