In 2006, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held its eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP). Recognising the specific challenges and vulnerabilities faced by islands, particularly Small Island Developing States, a programme of work was adopted specifically to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity on islands (decision viii/1). Healthy ecosystems underpin sustainable livelihoods, health and poverty eradication.

The decision further called on “Parties to establish national, sub-regional, regional and international island partnerships that bring Governments and civil society organizations together to increase political, financial and technical support to accelerate the implementation of the programme of work on island biodiversity".

Inspired by this call, the leaders of Palau, Seychelles, Republic of Marshall Islands, Grenada and the British Virgin Islands came together to catalyse this into reality, and the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) was born.

GLISPA has gone on to support the implementation of the Convention as a platform for successful island collaboration to showcase our collective biodiversity achievements, disseminate new projects and initiatives, and highlight ongoing vulnerabilities and challenges. In 2008, during CBD COP-9 the Partnership was formally acknowledged as one of the mechanisms to implement the island biodiversity programme of work (decision ix/21).