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.
Sharing Knowledge For Resilient,
Sustainable And Prosperous
Islands Worldwide
September 26th — October 2nd, 2022
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA #VIS2022
What is the Virtual Island Summit?
A zero carbon conference. The Summit will use modern technology to maximize opportunities for participation and minimize harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
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.
Join Islanders From Around The World To Share Ideas, Good Practices And Solutions.
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FREE EVENT
10,000 attendees including policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics and NGO leaders share their expertise on island communities bringing examples of good practices from around the world.
Climate Action & Adaptation
Renewable Energy & Clean Energy Transition
Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
Agriculture, Trade & Food Security
Health, Education, Diversity & Inclusion
Circular Economy
Sustainable Tourism
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
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Register Now!
Register now to attend the various online events taking place September 26th — October 2nd, 2022.
Registration is FREE, but spaces are limited, so reserve your spot now!
Can’t make the live event dates? No worries! Register for the event, and we’ll send you the replay link after the event. If you can attend live, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions to speakers and interact with other guests.
Please complete your registration today to ensure you get the latest updates, access to the live sessions and copies of the recordings!
Featured Speakers
Prime Minister, Government of Barbados
Secretary General, Pacific Islands Development Forum
Minister for Pacific and the Environment at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Premier of Niue
Chief Minister, Government of Jersey
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of the Marshall Islands
Ocean Policy Research Institute, The Sakasawa Peace Foundation
Founding Chair, Africans Rising for Justice, Peace & Dignity
CEO, The GraceKennedy Foundation
Spiritual Leader of Maroons of the Diaspora
Head of the department for Climate and Circular Economy at the Environment Agency of Iceland
Former Prime Minister of Grenada
Ambassador of Antigua & Barbuda to the US and OAS
Chair, Stop Ecocide Foundation, Convenor of the Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide
Executive Secretary, UNCDF
PSIDS Advisor on the Oceans, Samoa at the U.N.
Minister of Environment , Waste management and Energy, Mombasa County Government
Director Energy Fiji
Agenda
Day 1
Monday
26 September, 2022
Official Opening & Press Conference
09:00am EDT (New York) | 14:00pm BST (London) | 23:00pm AEST (Sydney)
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Join attendees from around the world at the official opening of the Virtual Island Summit 2022! Presented by the Island Innovation team and our event partners, this session will be followed by a press conference featuring some of the week’s personalities.
Tracks:
- Sustainable Tourism
- Renewable Energy & Clean Energy Transition
- Health, Education, Diversity & Inclusion
- Climate Action & Adaptation
- Circular Economy
- Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
- Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
- Agriculture, Trade & Food Security
Duration: 1 hour
Speakers:
Speakers:
Opening Networking
10:00am EDT (New York) | 15:00pm BST (London) | 00:00am AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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Join this interactive networking session to connect with other islanders! These sessions are perfect for discussing ideas and finding people with shared interests around the world. Come prepared to listen and talk!
Tracks:
- Renewable Energy & Clean Energy Transition
- Climate Action & Adaptation
- Agriculture, Trade & Food Security
Duration: 1 hour
Island Stories With… The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund
13:00pm EDT (New York) | 18:00pm BST (London) | 03:00am AEST (Sydney | Next day)
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In light of the evident threat facing the Caribbean Region due to climate change, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) has spent the last 10 years focused on regional conservation and sustainable development. The organization manages a fund capital upwards of USD$125million to support the environmental endeavours of the region. They are able to achieve its goals through its two programs, the Conservation Finance Program, which is based on an endowment fund, and the Climate Change Program which focuses on Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) strategies. The Conservation Finance Program utilises its funds to invest in country-based subaccounts via the National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs) which produce grantmaking programs within the members’ countries. Alongside this program, its Climate Change Program and its EbA Facility employs its funds to pursue projects targeted toward coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, wetlands, coral reefs, and coastal watersheds through Calls For Proposals. Come find out more about The CBF’s projects in the discussion!
Tracks:
- Renewable Energy & Clean Energy Transition
- Climate Action & Adaptation
- Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
Duration: 30 minutes
Speakers:
Speakers:
Island Stories With… Rachel Lollia, Founder, Ti PO PEYI
14:30pm EDT (New York) | 19:30pm BST (London) | 04:30am AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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Learn more about Ti Po Peyi, a Guadeloupe-based company specialized in baby food made entirely from local ingredients, and who is fighting to provide fair-priced nutritious food for children.
This session will have interpretation in French and English.
Tracks:
- Agriculture, Trade & Food Security
Duration: 30 minutes
Speakers:
Speakers:
Opportunities in Ocean Science for Island People
18:00pm EDT (New York) | 23:00pm BST (London) | 08:00am AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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Island communities are intrinsically linked to the ocean, which has shaped thousands of years of cultural heritage, history, and societal bonds. As the custodians of their lands, islanders should have a say in managing the environment that they are a part of – but what opportunities are available for islanders to build their relationship with the ocean? Find out in this session headlined by several leading figures in governance, academia and policy.
Tracks:
- Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
Duration: 1.5 hours
Speakers:
Speakers:
Sustainable Financing for the Pacific Blue Continent to Achieve 30% MPA and 100% Sustainable Management
20:00pm EDT (New York) | 01:00am BST (London | Next day) | 10:00am AEST (Sydney | Next day)
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More than 100 nations have called for the protection of at least 30% of the marine environment by 2030. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an effective tool to preserve, maintain, and restore biodiversity and recover biomass in the marine environment, as well as to combat climate change by increasing carbon capture. MPAs are situated in a broader new blue framework and economic model to achieve 100% sustainable management in a shift away from unsustainable extractive economies to resilient, nature-based economies that support people and the planet.
In this session, panelists will discuss the tools available to achieve sustainable finance, building an enabling environment for effective MPA implementation, and exploring new and bold ideas for durable and significant finance.
Panelists also will discuss the legal and institutional frameworks needed to ensure that revenues generated from these sources are utilized for the intended purpose of sustainably financing MPA implementation. The panel will be moderated by Waitt Institute Blue Economy Director Dr. Angus Friday.
Tracks:
- Climate Action & Adaptation
- Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
Duration: 1.5 hours
Speakers:
Speakers:
This session is sponsored by
Day 2
Tuesday
27 September, 2022
Action & Adaptation in the African Islands: Rising to Meet the Challenge of Climate Change
05:00am EDT (New York), 10:00am BST (London), 19:00pm AEST (Sydney)
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Islands are on the forefront of climate change. Driven to adapt and build resilience, inhabitants of islands and coastal areas are finding innovative ways of meeting the challenge. Find out how islanders in Africa are working towards sustainable solutions for their communities.
Tracks:
- Climate Action & Adaptation
- Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
Duration: 1 hour
Speakers:
Speakers:
Building Bridges Between SIDS and the African Region for COP27
08:00am EDT (New York) | 13:00pm BST (London) | 22:00pm AEST (Sydney)
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As the United Nation’s annual climate change summit (COP27) looms, there is a need for communities in the Global South to have their voices heard. The climate crisis disproportionately affects African nations and Small Island Developing States – in a time where action is needed, the first step is to build bridges. This session brings together voices from SIDS and the African continent to find common ground in the lead up to COP27.
Tracks:
- Renewable Energy & Clean Energy Transition
- Climate Action & Adaptation
Duration: 1 hour
Speakers:
Speakers:
Radical Regeneration: A New Look at Sustainable Tourism
10:00am EDT (New York) | 15:00pm BST (London) | 00:00am AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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Tourism is an important economic driver for islands. The sector is actively shifting towards becoming more sustainable in the face of environmental degradation caused by climate change – but what exactly are the options being developed? Find out in this session!
This session will have interpretation in Spanish and English
Tracks:
- Sustainable Tourism
- Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
Duration: 1 hour
Speakers:
Speakers:
How a Strong Indigenous Voice Can Solve Global Issues
13:00pm EDT (New York) | 18:00pm BST (London) | 03:00am AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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Indigenous leaders and their communities have been the traditional custodians of their lands for centuries, assimilating a wealth of knowledge in governance, natural systems, and cultural heritage. As the world seeks to embrace sustainable development and nature-based ideas, indigenous voices must be part of the discussion.
Tracks:
- Health, Education, Diversity & Inclusion
- Climate Action & Adaptation
Duration: 1 hour
Speakers:
Speakers:
This session is facilitated by
Ferry Tales: The Triumphs and Trials of Transitioning Water Transport away from Fossil Fuels
15:00pm EDT (New York) | 20:00pm BST (London) | 05:00am AEST (Sydney | Next day)
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Join us for a deep dive into the challenges and successes that islands and service providers navigate to adopt clean energy powered transport. Policy, finances, technology, and social dynamics all factor into the types of vessels and the timeline for their launch. We’ll hear from decisionmakers, innovators, and islanders from regions around the world that are in different stages of the transition from fossil fuel to electric powered ferries. Bring your questions and your stories to this virtual conversation.
Tracks:
- Renewable Energy & Clean Energy Transition
Duration: 1.5 hours
Speakers:
Speakers:
This session is sponsored by
A Creative Agency for Islands: How Island Innovation helps sustainable brands succeed within island markets
17:30pm EDT (New York) | 22:30pm BST (London) | 07:30am AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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Island Innovation is a full-service marketing and public relations agency which offers unique insights into islands and sustainability. Through our services, we support the growth of organizations that develop sustainability projects or invest in island regions. In this session, Island Innovation team members Audrey Joachim and Thaiz Maciel will present the services and solutions provided by the agency and answer any questions related to our work.
Duration: 30 minutes
Speakers:
Speakers:
Day 3
Wednesday
28 September, 2022
In Conversation With… Chief Minister of Jersey, Kristina Moore
05:30am EDT (New York) | 10:30am BST (London) | 19:30pm AEST (Sydney)
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The largest of the Channel Islands, located in the stretch of water between France and England, Jersey faces many challenges similar to other islands around the world. Chief Minister Kristina Moore will share her insights into the governance of the island, the key issues facing Jersey and the local solutions being implemented.
Tracks:
- Health, Education, Diversity & Inclusion
- Climate Action & Adaptation
- Circular Economy
- Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
Duration: 30 minutes
Speakers:
Speakers:
What Goes Around Comes Around: The Circular Economy
09:00am EDT (New York) | 14:00pm BST (London) | 23:00pm AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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Circularity and the circular economy have become major talking points as global economies seek to reduce waste, become more efficient with their resources and maximize their outputs without compromising the environment. Learn more about the core tenets of the ideology and how it can benefit the global community.
Tracks:
- Circular Economy
- Blue Economy, Conservation & the Ocean
Duration: 1 hour
Speakers:
Speakers:
Researching Island Education – Lessons for the Future
11:00am EDT (New York) | 16:00pm BST (London) | 01:00am AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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In the last two Virtual Island Summits, the Edge Foundation has hosted sessions showcasing some of the amazing education practices on islands around the world. This year, we look at islands as leading educational research hubs, trying and evaluating new approaches that have applications in other islands and in mainland contexts too.
Tracks:
- Health, Education, Diversity & Inclusion
Duration: 1.5 hours
Speakers:
Speakers:
This session is sponsored by
In Conversation With… Caroline Mahfood, CEO, The GraceKennedy Foundation
13:00pm EDT (New York) | 18:00pm BST (London) | 03:00am AEST (Sydney | Next Day)
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