GLISPA @ SIDS4

“While we as islands welcome support, we are not waiting around to be rescued. We are being proactive in identifying climate and sustainability solutions by sharing our experiences with each other. This is not new. GLISPA has been doing this for 18 years. Bringing islands together to share experiences is in our DNA.

Here in the Caribbean, GLISPA was instrumental in catalysing the Caribbean Challenge Initiative or CCI for short. Very important steps were taken through the CCI to conserve our region's biodiversity. And while the CCI lives on through its brainchild the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, my hope is that at some point in the near future we will launch a Caribbean Challenge Initiative 2.0"

“Eighteen years ago, leaders from the Republic of Palau, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands (NMI), the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) launched the Micronesia Challenge (MC).

In 2019, the Chief Executives re-committed and broadened the MC by committing to effectively manage 50% marine (to the edge of the EEZ) and 30% terrestrial resources. Furthermore, the initiative expanded its scope to include climate change, sustainable livelihoods, invasive species, habitat restoration enforcement and compliance, and fisheries management.”

“Tonight we celebrate the many instances of island leadership GLISPA has helped to catalyse in the past, such as the Micronesia Challenge, the Caribbean Challenge and the Aloha+ Challenge.

More recently we have been excited by the launch of the Island Ocean Connection Challenge, inspired in part by those previously mentioned challenges. The IOCC is a direct response to the triple threats of climate change, ocean health, and extinction crises—all of which disproportionately impact island ecosystems and indigenous island communities.

Sometimes in looking back on the successes of the past, it can remind us of what is possible, and inspire us to face an uncertain future with a renewed sense of optimism. In our darkest times, we need hope, and GLISPA has always sought to shed light on what we do best as islands.

In closing, I wish to extend a warm welcome to our newest GLISPA member, the Pacific Tourism Organisation."

“From a start of a single pooled endowment of just over 20 million USD when we [the CBF] opened our bank accounts in 2014, we now manage over 200 million USD for a range of activities across the Caribbean and half of that amount - 100 million - is growth within that original endowment.

To date we have distributed over $8.5 million to over 80 projects and most importantly we have created the framework and enabling environment for 12 Caribbean SIDS to create and chart their opportunities for a sustainable future.”

“This coming October in Marseille, we will organise the SMILO Sustainable Islands Meeting 2024. October 15th will be specially dedicated to exchanges between island networks and organisations and their partners. Our objective in Marseille is to shape a Declaration that will be presented at UNOC3, at the World Conservation Congress in 2025, and beyond. This Declaration will affirm the territorial excellence of small islands as essential pillars for the creation of effectively managed MPAs. It will also highlight the crucial role of island communities in sustainable development and their commitment to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030.”

“Barbuda has long been a leader in ocean management and protection. In 2014, The Barbuda Council successfully achieved 33% of our ocean space in 2014. This marine spatial planning process was holistic, inclusive, and led by Barbudans themselves. There was extensive public outreach including detailed interviews with over 100 fishermen and community members. During the marine spatial planning process, we also successfully introduced a ban on parrot-fishing and achieved marked improvement in our fisheries monitoring and management. Barbuda exports fish, conch, and lobster, all of which have been shown to be recovering or sustainable fisheries in recent monitoring efforts.”