At the UN Biodiversity Conference in Colombia, GLISPA has been at the forefront of highlighting island issues, hosting impactful sessions and building connections with partners, members and stakeholders. A major focus at COP16 has been the launch of our Conservation Trust Fund Community of Practice for Small Island Developing States (SIDS-CTF CoP) – a dedicated platform for sustainable funding, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.  

At the 4th UN International Conference for Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), in Antigua and Barbuda, GLISPA organised a high-level reception to commemorate enduring island initiatives we helped to catalyse as well as celebrate the launch of our new strategy.

Date: 15 November 2023
Location: Virtual
Host: GLISPA

In this video, members and supporters of the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) connected to share strategies, and learn how we can work together to make a difference for islands at COP28. Our speakers include island advocates such as Grenada's Ambassador Spencer Thomas; Secretariat of the Pacific Community's Coral Pasisi; WWF's Jone Raqauqau; Ignace Beguin for the Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action/Climate Champions/COP 28 Presidency; James Ellsmoor from Island Innovation; Emily Goodwin from Rare; Hailey Campbell from the youth coalition Care About Climate; and Diego Tabilo from Ocean Risk Resilience Action Alliance.

Date: 28 March 2023
Location: Virtual
Host: GLISPA, Blue Nature Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Rare, SeyCCAT

A critical analysis of the outcomes of the recent COPs on Climate and Biodiversity held late last year in Sharm-El-Shiekh and Montreal respectively. Featuring expert testimonies from influential island delegates who were on the ground for both these events. Next we examined some of the ways islands are rising to these challenges and implementing real solutions. Featuring presentations on Debt Swaps, Eco-based Adaptation, and establishing durable Marine Protected Areas, courtesy of some of the member organisations within our network.

Date: 7 February 2023
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Host: IMPAC5

This session brought together a diverse set of partnerships and networks related to protected ocean spaces at national and global levels. We engage with MPAs to highlight their priorities of work, experiences and lessons that can inform this effort of building a global network in the protected ocean space and exploring what might be some of the challenges and opportunities. This was an official Knowledge Sharing Session of IMPAC5 2023.

Date: 5 February 2023
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Host: IMPAC5

As we struggle to achieve the global target of at least 30% protection levels by 2030 both within EEZs and on the High Seas we know that we need to have a bold vision backed with a series of effective and resourceful partnerships with and between states, organisations, and local people. This session shows that there are countries and organisations that are working in alliances, networks and partnerships at different levels who have developed a body of knowledge on how to pull together diverse stakeholders in a larger network - like a protected ocean space global network - and leverage efforts.

Date: 11 November 2022
Location: Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Host: Oceanic Global

GLISPA Executive Director, Kate Brown, moderates this dynamic discussion on the role of multi-stakeholder action at the local level joined by: Mayor Mary Jean Te (Mayor, Municipality of Libertad, Antique, Philippines), David Obura (Director, CORDIO East Africa), Sefanaia Nawadra (Director General of SPREP), and Daniel Lin (Pasifika Storytelling Lead, Nia Tero).

The Oceanic x Climate Summit was a daylong event hosted by Oceanic Global that took place at COP27. The summit immersed global stakeholders in the importance and potential of the ocean within the climate change narrative and supported multi-stakeholder action for the ocean and all it sustains.

REPORT

Date: 12 November 2022
Location: Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Host: Global Island Partnership, GEF Small Grants Programme UNDP, Rare, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT), Smithsonian Institute, SMILO

In our final Bright Spots episode for 2022, we talk about climate adaptation and hear stories from organizations such as the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, the GEF Small Grants Programme in Mauritius, and the International Student Environmental Coalition.

Date: 25 October 2022
Location: Virtual
Host: Global Island Partnership, GEF-SGP

In April 2022 GLISPA launched its inaugural Bright Spots Fellowship to further showcase inspired, home-grown island solutions. This initiative brought together 10 community champions, created a platform to share their stories, and provided the opportunity to communicate with influential policy makers to discuss how their interventions can be implemented globally. We are honoured to present to you our 2022 Fellows from Malta, the Solomon Islands, Mauritius, Brazil, and the Palmyra Atoll. Hear their stories, in their own words.