Uplifting Island Partnerships in Support of the Decade of Action

This event will showcase how islands, in coming together and working within and across island communities around the world, can drive commitment to the SDGs and climate action in COVID-19 response, recovery, and the world's determination focused on helping to advance the SDGs.

Islander are used to living with a greater degree of risk, sustainability and resilience. Island economies/islanders are therefore best positioned to help island earth navigate towards a more sustainable future.

Moderator:

Ambassador Amanda Ellis, Director of Global Partnerships, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, Arizona State University

Opening Speakers:

Ms. Selina Neirok Leem, Climate Warrior, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative, UN-OHRLLS

Mr. Colm Brophy, Minister of State for Overseas Development and Diaspora, Ireland 

Panelists:

Hon. Ed Case, U.S. Representative for Hawai‘i

Hon. Joshua Tenorio, Lieutenant Governor of Guam

Mr. Miles Mercera, Tourism Expert, Private Sector, Curaçao

Closing Speaker:

Mr. Pita Taufatofua, UNICEF Pacific Ambassador

Discussion highlighting key nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation measures for building back better through a Green Recovery Process.

Islands and coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the realities of COVID-19 have now further exacerbated these food security, economic, and livelihood impacts. Coastal ocean waters, home to small-scale fisheries, provide food security, nutrition, and livelihoods for millions of people globally. As the negative impacts of the pandemic on national economies worsen, many more turn to the ocean as their lifeline for food and income. Subsequently the additional pressure on these fragile coastal ecosystems poses a direct risk to ecosystem integrity and livelihoods of millions in the long term.

The answer lies with the stewards of these coastal waters - many islands and coastal communities have already started exploring nature-based solutions as an approach to address climate adaptation opportunities in fisheries, which also improves food system resilience. The session will share experiences on how a thriving small-scale fishery sector is a good example of a vital indicator of a sustainable blue economy for job security throughout coastal communities worldwide. The discussion will aim to highlight key nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation measures that can be integrated into recovery plans to set the pathway for building back better through a Green Growth Recovery process. The session will also include an interactive component for the opportunity for participants to exchange their own experiences and bright spots.

Speakers:

Dr. Patrick McConney, Director of Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), University of the West Indies, Barbados

Ann Singeo, Executive Director, Ebiil Society, Palau

Eunice Dus, Senior REDD+ Officer at Climate Change and Development Authority, Papua New Guinea 

Mayor Mary Jean Te, Municipality of Libertad, Antique, Philippines

Respondents:

Sakhile Koketso, Climate Policy Specialist, Green Climate Fund

Melanie Kaebernick, International Partnership for Blue Carbon, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australia

Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Maui County Council, Hawai‘i

Closing Speaker:

Ambassador Ronny Jumeau, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Republic of Seychelles

Discussion with island youth, channeling their creativity and innovation towards a solution-oriented conversation for responding to COVID-19 and in building back better.

The unprecedented global health crisis we are facing is affecting all parts of society and changing lives and livelihoods. In times of need, from climate change and natural disasters to the current COVID-19 pandemic, youth have been quick to take action and respond to the needs of their communities. This event aims at convening a discussion with island youth, channeling their creativity and innovation towards a solution-oriented conversation for responding to COVID-19 and in building back better.

Moderator:

• Xiye Bastida, Youth Climate Justice Activist

Panelists:

• Sapphire Vital, Dominica

• Nanea Keli’i, Hawai‘i

• Kyle Dahilig, Guam

• Selina Neirok Leem, Republic of the Marshall Islands

• Shea Alexander, Virgin Islands

Respondent & Closing Speaker:

• Amanda Ellis, Director of Global Partnerships, Arizona State University Global Futures Laboratory

• Selwin Hart, UN Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Climate Action

Thursday, July 23, 2020 / 20.00  UTC (Convert to local time here) 

Discussion on the intersection of development, technology, access, and accountability.

Geographic isolation and resource limitations have forced islanders to innovate and develop creative solutions for millennia. Now, with COVID-19, islanders are once again drawing from local knowledge and island values. This session will discuss the opportunities for technology to help transform island communities, and the ability to navigate across the intersection of development, technology, access, and accountability.

Panelists:

• Ambassador Karena Lyons, Director, Pacific Islands Development Program

• Tahirah Banks, Partner, Thoughtful Digital Agency, Anguilla

• Megan Smith, CEO & Co-Founder, shift7

• Miller Abel, Deputy Director and Principal Technologist, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Respondents:

• John Gilroy, Deputy Director, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland

• Ian Musson, Head of Māori Engagement & Strategy, Young Enterprise Trust

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 / 20.00  UTC (Convert to local time here) 

Discussion examining responses to crises and risk reduction

Island economies, particularly Small Island Developing States, are vulnerable to climate related severe weather events, sea level rise, catastrophic natural disasters and other external shocks. While many islands are successfully managing new public health risks presented by COVID19, they face economic disaster as a result of tourism disruption, and related loss of livelihoods and government revenue. The COVID pandemic has exacerbated other issues islands are grappling with including cyclones, which recently hit Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands in the Pacific with hurricane season fast approaching the Caribbean.  As the international community is considering how to recover from the current crisis, and reflect on previous catastrophes,  islands can provide key examples of building resilience and reducing risk. They are taking bold and  innovative approaches around new mechanisms, including finance and insurance, policy tools among other initiatives.

Speakers will explore islands that have committed to supporting community resilience and “building back better”. The panel will discuss how the island experience can teach us for how we approach our new normal. 

Panelists:

• Kathy Baughman McLeod, Director, Adrienne Arsht - Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, Atlantic Council

• Dr. Pepukaye Bardouille, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD)

• Dr. Roger Pulwarty, Senior Scientist, NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory

Respondents:

• Emily Cadiz, Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana, Hawai’i

• Audrey Aumua, Deputy Director-General, Pacific Community (SPC)

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Economic Recovery & Resilience

Islands are particularly vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19 due to their geographic isolation, supply chain disruption, and drop in tourism activity. Unlike natural disasters or other catastrophic events, it is unclear how long this crisis will continue and what long term effects it will have on people's livelihoods. 

The session will discuss the various approaches islands are taking to build economic recovery and resilience for their communities and examine tools and methods adopted by islands to address the health and stability of their people in both the immediate and long term.
Panelists:

• Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank 

• Alan Oshima, Governor-Appointed Economic and Community Recovery & Resiliency Navigator for Hawai‘i

Respondents:

• Riad Meddeb, Senior Principal Advisor for Small Island Developing States, UN Development Programme

• Dillon Alleyne, Deputy Director, ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Strengthening island food security to address impacts of COVID-19 and for long term sustainability

Many islands are heavily dependent on imported food to support local demand across sectors. While islands are working to improve food system resilience and sustainabilty, COVID-19 has exacerbated food security issues for islands with disruptions to food supply chains, and related unemployment and lost income. The session will address food security for island communities both during COVID-19 and after, identifying opportunities to rejuvenate local and indigenous food systems. The discussion will explore the following: responses in the agriculture and food sectors to COVID related disruption; island examples of stimulus packages that support agriculture and fisheries; impact on imports and costs of imported food against the local food economy and increased local food production; disruption to businesses, supply chains, transport and retail; lessons learned from previous disruptions, including natural disasters.

Panelists:

• Temarama Anguna-Kamana, Head of Agriculture Ministry, Cook Islands

• Kevin Chang, Co Director at Kua'aina Ulu 'Auamo (KUA), Hawaii

• Wilson Thompson, President of the Farmers and Settlers Association of Papua New Guinea

• Mayor Mike Orayani of the Municipality of Lubang, Philippines

• Christian Torres Santana, CPH Plow to Plate program Agronomist World Central Kitchen, Puerto Rico

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Island Platform on COVID-19 Response – Sharing, Support, Solutions

As a result of COVID-19, the Local2030 Islands Network has launched a virtual platform for islands to communicate challenges and draw strength from shared solutions, as part of the network's mission to connect and strengthen island leadership on sustainable development and resilience. This virtual platform provides a space for sharing, support and solutions to the immediate needs of islands, and creates a space for building back better in the face of this crisis with an acknowledgment of the other long term crises that face islands.With global disruptions from COVID-19, there is no better time to innovate and reimagine a more sustainable future. This webinar is an opportunity for engagement in the Local2030 Islands Network and the virtual platform to work together with other islanders to strengthen our collective response. 

Panelists:

• Hon. Joshua F. Tenorio, Lieutenant Governor of Guam

• Hon. Spencer Thomas, Ambassador of Grenada

• Kaysie Brown, Vice President for Policy and Strategic Initiatives, United Nations Foundation

• Kate Brown, Executive Director, Global Island Partnership

• Celeste Connors, Executive Director, Hawai‘i Green Growth Local2030 Hub

Thursday, April 30, 2020

How are islands facing the COVID-19 related tourism crisis and their ideas on building back better?

Many islands are dependent upon tourism as a key driver of economic activity. With the global tourism economy now severely disrupted due to COVID-19 - and with no end in sight - islands face a looming economic crisis. This session will explore how islands are responding to the current crisis and opportunities to rebuild a more resilient and sustainable tourism economy.

Panelists:

• Norman Wray, Minister President, Galápagos Government Council

• Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, Director of Hawaiian Cultural Affairs & Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority

• Vanessa Toré, Director of the Foreign Economic Cooperation Division, Ministry of Economic Development, Curaçao

• Pauline Sheldon, Professor Emerita, School of Travel Industry Management, University of Hawai’i, Author and Founder of Tourism Education Futures Initiative

Thursday, April 23, 2020