Small Islands, Big Impact: Minister Dr. Joyelle Clarke Elected to Prestigious UNEA-7 Bureau to Tackle Triple Planetary Crisis
In a landmark achievement for Saint Kitts and Nevis, and a testament to the global recognition of its leadership in environmental stewardship, the Honourable Senator Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, was unanimously elected to serve on the Bureau of the next United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7).
‘In my country a woman’s voice is rarely heard’ – Dame Meg Taylor
Papua New Guinea’s Dame Meg Taylor has been an athlete, lawyer, and diplomat as well as the first woman secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Speaking to RNZ Pacific about International Women’s Day, Dame Meg reflected on the progress made and the need for greater participation of women in the public sector in the region.
Net gains: how Pacific Island states are securing the future of tuna – and their own
The largest tuna fishery in the world is also the most sustainable. How do the small island states of the Pacific prevent overfishing, develop their economies, and prepare for the imminent effects of climate change? Our report from the Marshall Islands.
Last week, the SIDS Future Forum 2024 marked a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable development for island nations. Set against the backdrop of increasing challenges such as climate change, economic vulnerability, and social inequality, this event aimed to galvanise policymakers, development partners, academic experts, and researchers to shape a transformative agenda for the next decade. Here are the 3 takeaways that stem from this impactful forum:
- Collective Action and SIDS development walk hand-in-hand: The forum emphasised collaboration between policymakers, researchers, development partners, and community leaders to build a 10-year roadmap for SIDS.
- Data-driven solutions are the solution: The agenda draft built during these two days is packed with scientific evidence and focuses on urgent SIDS challenges like debt, declining productivity, climate threats, and access to climate finance.
- Collaboration, Contribution, and Innovation: The forum’s outcomes will directly contribute to the Antigua and Barbuda Accord (ABAS), a crucial SIDS development plan for the next decade.
ODI-RESI co-hosted the SIDS Future Forum with partners AOSIS, UNDESA, UN-OHRLLS and UK Aid Direct and our Island Innovation team.
Next step: The UN’s 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)
SIDS4 aims to assess the ability of Small Island Developing States to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.
The event will bring world leaders together to agree on a bold new programme of action for SIDS. This new ten-year plan will focus on practical and impactful solutions to keep SIDS afloat and give their citizens a sustainable & safe future.
This week, the Island Innovation team was in Lisbon, at the 11th annual World Ocean Summit, ready to dive into discussions on ocean health, sustainable industry strategies, and ocean-climate solutions.
On stage, Island Innovation CEO James Ellsmoor joined Hon. Steven Myers, Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action from Prince Edward Island, for an engaging interview on “Supporting Blue Innovation“.
The discussion exposed the critical components needed to foster scalable and profitable solutions in the blue economy. One key takeaway was the importance of scientific knowledge, research, and data, alongside funding and holistic policies, to drive innovation in ocean sustainability.
Both delved into the significance of decentralized blue economy strategies in supporting local communities and fostering collaboration among ocean innovators. Moreover, they highlighted how governments must play a proactive role in providing support and creating an enabling environment for ocean startups.
Join us at the Global Sustainable Islands Summit
We will be continuing the discussion with Hon. Myers and many other expert speakers in Prince Edward Island, in 2 months. There are just a few tickets left to attend the event!
The team also engaged with numerous stakeholders and partners in dynamic discussions to delve into potential future collaborations. In pictures on the left:
- Kendra McDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
- Adriano Qunitela, Operational and Information Manager at Blue Azores
- Luis Bernardo Brito e Abreu, Advisor to the President of the Regional Government of the Azores
- Leila Guici, Insights and Advocacy Manager at GSMA
And many more.