The Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) hosted a high-level event to celebrate partnerships and collaborations between small islands during the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Apia, Samoa.
Titled "Leaders Inspiring Action: A celebration of commitments to build resilient and sustainable island communities through innovative partnerships," the event featured speeches from several Heads of State and Governments, ministers, and high-level representatives of nations involved in GLISPA, highlighting island leadership across the globe.
3 September 2014: The Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) hosted a high-level event to celebrate partnerships and collaborations between small islands during the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in Apia, Samoa. ‘Leaders Inspiring Action: A celebration of commitments to build resilient and sustainable island communities through innovative partnerships’ featured speeches from several Heads of State and Governments, ministers, and high-level representatives of nations involved in GLISPA, highlighting island leadership across the globe.
The event took place on the evening of 3 September 2014, and brought together partners involved in GLISPA’s work. Tuilaepa Sailele Maliegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa, recognized that GLISPA was conceived out of a shared vision of SIDS, and it has encouraged regions to come together and islands to take the lead on driving their own development. John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, US, pledged to stand alongside islands and expressed the great value of his country’s partnership with GLISPA.
Numerous speakers highlighted the new partnerships and initiatives that GLISPA has inspired island leaders to establish. President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., Republic of Palau, co-chaired the event, and presented on his country’s newly announced national marine sanctuary. President Manny Mori, Federated States of Micronesia, announced the ongoing success of the Micronesia Challenge to eradicate and prevent marine-based invasive species, which has inspired other similar efforts around the world. Jean-Paul Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Seychelles, announced that half of his country’s land territory has been set aside in reserves, and recommitted its financial support of GLISPA. William Aila Jr., Department of Land & Natural Resources, State of Hawaii, US announced his state’s Aloha Plus Challenge, which commits to achieving sustainability targets on clean energy, food production, waste reduction, and climate preparedness by 2030.
This event was a side event to the Third Conference on SIDS, which formally focused on “the sustainable development of SIDS through genuine and durable partnerships.” [GLISPA Website] [IISD RS Sources] [IISD RS Coverage of Third SIDS Conference]