The Virtual Island Summit (VIS) is celebrating five years of bringing together island communities and stakeholders through high-level panel discussions and networking sessions.
A fully online event which has attracted over 10,000 participants from over 500 islands every year, the VIS has featured a range of important speakers over the years including heads of state such as Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley (VIS2022) and Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama (VIS2020).
In its five years of operation, the VIS has become one of the largest knowledge-sharing opportunities for island stakeholders. This free, zero-carbon event continues to promote public participation and understanding of sustainable island solutions, while also providing access to civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, academics and diplomats from the world’s islands.
Highlighting its reach VIS2023 is being sponsored by the Waitt Institute, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Open Society Foundation, Chancery ESG, the Edge Foundation, as well as the Ministry of Economic Development of Curacao, amongst others.
Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell noted in the VIS2023’s Opening: “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.”
“Let this summit be a call for real climate action to facilitate the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States,” added Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru, the Chair of AOSIS and Permanent Representative of Samoa to the UN. ”It is imperative that we maintain momentum and come together, utilizing our tools, leveraging our expertise and ingenuity to find solutions. To my people on Small Island Developing States – I urge you to recognize your inherent worth and strength.
“Together we can lead by example and seek innovative solutions to the challenges that plague our development. The spirit of unity, resilience and community that defines our islands. Is a source of inspiration for the world.”
VIS2023 runs from Monday 25th September to Friday 29th September 2023, and registrations are still open. For more information visit: https://islandinnovation.co/events/virtual-island-summit/
