2nd Island Leaders Summit at UNGA77

Summary of the Meeting

In advance of the Pacific Island Country Summit, the Local2030 Islands Network convened the second in-person high-level meeting on September 21, 2022, co-chaired by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Palau Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Gustav N. Aitaro, and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 77). The co-hosts opened the meeting by outlining a shared vision for the Network to be a forum for candid dialogue and concrete action by its members to advance progress and island leadership on shared 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Prime Minister Browne, Minister Aitaro, and Secretary Kerry were joined at the in-person gathering by Leaders, Ministers and other senior officials from Local2030 member islands, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Ireland, Aruba and Hawai‘i, as well as observers to the meeting, including Australia, Bahamas, Belize, and Sint Maarten. Local2030 Islands Network partners, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), Secretary of the Navy, UN Foundation and University of Guam were also in attendance. The meeting was moderated by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Monica Medina.

Network Developments

Since the first in-person meeting at the Our Ocean Conference in Palau in April 2022, the Network welcomed the membership of Guinea-Bissau and Aruba. The Local2030 Islands Network has also begun preparations for the in-person Communities of Practice to bolster inter-island dialogue and knowledge sharing on unique development challenges and opportunities across three thematic communities, for which the United States announced an additional $1.3 million in support. Additionally, Palau noted its progress on the creation of its SDG Dashboard, modeled after dashboards in Hawai‘i and Guam.

Threats to Island Prosperity and SDG Progress

Throughout their remarks, island members noted the challenges caused by the triple crises of COVID-19, climate change, and the conflict in Ukraine. They spoke to the rising costs of living in islands due to inflation and increased fuel costs for transport, energy, and imports. They highlighted the increased devastation that climate-related impacts resulting in loss and damage are having on their islands and the threat that they pose to the longevity and prosperity of islands. Leaders also articulated that their national debt burden is directly linked to disaster recovery efforts.

Network Commitments for Action

To address these concerns, island members called for concrete action amongst themselves and partner governments and organizations. Calls for action included: developing partnerships with universities to build capacity; shifting to renewable energy, electric vehicles, and pursuing alternatives to traditional debt repayment. Many members stressed the urgent need for substantially increased climate finance to help bridge the gap between ambition and implementation, as well as improved climate financing instruments, such as debt-for-nature swaps and ocean carbon capture. Members voiced the need to identify short- and medium-term actions; the long-term may be too late for islands, many of which are directly threatened by sea-level rise. Members called for major economies to reduce their carbon footprints. The U.S. noted that the PREPARE Initiative is one avenue to address the impacts of climate change disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities.

Catalysts for Change

Members emphasized the value of the three Local2030 Islands Network Communities of Practice on Clean Energy Systems, Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism, and Data for Climate Resilience, noting that the platforms are critical for peer learning and knowledge exchange.

Members noted indicators of progress on global climate action will be determined in what comes forth in the weeks leading up to and the outcome of COP 27 in Egypt, and echoed the importance of global leaders leaving the COP with raised ambition and a clear path forward.

The Local2030 Islands Network champions this vision and island leadership for shared goals and the actualization of Agenda 2030. The Network serves as a forum for island economies at all jurisdictional levels to learn from one another and bring island experiences to the forefront of sustainable development conversations. In the coming months, the Local2030 Islands Network will continue the expansion of island membership within the Network and convene the first in-person meeting of the Communities of Practice. The third Local2030 Islands Network Leaders Meeting will be held during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

Members:

H.E. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda

Hon. Gustav N. Aitaro, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Palau

Hon. John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, United States of America

Hon. Monica Medina, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, United States of America

H.E. David Kabua, President, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Hon. Simon Coveney, Foreign Minister, Ireland

H.E. Evelyn Wever-Croes, Prime Minister, Aruba

Hon. Andrew Yatilman, Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management, Federated States of Micronesia

Hon. Mitch Roth, Mayor, County of Hawaiʻi

Partners:

Hon. Carlos Del Toro, Secretary, US Navy

Dr Sarah Kapnik, Chief Scientist, US NOAA

Ms Sofia Borges, Senior Vice President, UN Foundation

Dr Thomas Krise, President, University of Guam

Observers:

H.E. Philip Davis QC, Prime Minister, Bahamas

H.E. Silveria Jacobs, Prime Minister, Sint Maarten

H.E. Carlos Fuller, Permanent Representative of Belize to the United Nations, Belize

Mr Carlos de Jesus, Advisor to the President of Timor-Leste, Timor-Leste

Ms Natasha Smith, First Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Policy Division from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Australia