Excerpt and Photo from antiguanewsroom.com
The VIS has become one of the largest knowledge-sharing opportunities for island stakeholders, with the free zero-carbon event promoting public participation and understanding of sustainable island solutions, while also providing access to expert speakers from civil society, academia, the private sector as well as government officials.
The first set of speakers announced include:
- Fernando Clavijo Batlle, President of the Govt. of the Canary Islands;
- Dr. Paubert T. Mahatante, Minister of Fishery and Blue Economy, Govt. of Madagascar;
- Rt. Hon. Bikenibeu Paeniu, Ambassador of Tuvalu to Taiwan;
- H.E. Lady Alida Francis, Governor of Sint Eustatius; and
- Devon Warner, Chairman of the Barbuda Council.
During his address at the 2023 VIS Grenada Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell noted:
“Every year since 2019 this innovative zero carbon Initiative brings together leaders from island states across the world to share ideas, network and develop sustainable strategies to address pressing issues that are unique to our island reality. Let me begin by commending the organizers for recognizing and underscoring the importance of unity among island states especially in the face of the climate crisis. Our destinies are undoubtedly intertwined and our survival will depend on our ability to work together and support one another.”
