Island nations worldwide face mounting environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Last year, 2024, was set to be the hottest year on record, and the first calendar year to exceed 1.5C of global warming over pre-industrial temperature levels. With an ongoing, urgent need to implement solutions, the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (27–29 May) brings together leaders, experts, and changemakers to chart a resilient path forward.
This year’s edition — set against the scenic yet formidable backdrop of St Kitts & Nevis — is poised to drive critical conversations and action around sustainable development, showcasing the Caribbean’s leadership in crafting innovative, community-driven solutions for islands everywhere.
Co-hosted by the Government of St Kitts & Nevis, the summit builds on the successes of the 2024 conference held in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, where island representatives collaborated on approaches to resilience, climate adaptation, and energy sustainability. A rare opportunity for these underrepresented communities to share their knowledge in person and build capacity, the event in PEI was a great success.
“You always want to ask yourself in government, ‘Are we doing enough? Are we doing it the right way?’” posited PEI Premier Dennis King during the summit. “The best way to do that sometimes is to measure yourself against other jurisdictions, to say, ‘What are they doing? How are they doing it?’”
Throughout the three-day event, panellists and attendees offered rich perspectives from small and large island communities alike, inspiring participants with examples of how even the smallest island nations can generate global solutions.
In 2025, the action shifts back to the Caribbean, bringing discussions closer to home and highlighting the region’s unique strengths and commitment to sustainable development.
A regional perspective for global solutions
For those involved in sustainable development, this summit provides a unique platform where diverse stakeholders, from policymakers and scientists to community leaders and industry experts, can convene to tackle key challenges.
As pressing topics such as water security, agricultural resilience, climate-health intersections, and renewable energy take centre stage, participants have the chance to dive deep into real-world strategies that can be implemented across island communities worldwide — regardless of their size.
With its rich natural landscapes, from lush rainforests and mangroves to coastal habitats, St Kitts & Nevis offers a model of balance between economic development and environmental stewardship
“Our islands are sentinels of climate change and the proving ground for sustainable development,” said St Kitts & Nevis Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew during his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last September, where he announced his country’s hosting of the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2025. “It is with this spirit of shared responsibility and urgent action that I extend a heartfelt invitation to all leaders of island nations gathered here to come, to engage, to commit to meaningful change.”
Celebrating Caribbean leadership
The location of the summit itself — a twin-island nation known for its proactive stance on environmental resilience — serves as a fitting example of how the Caribbean is at the forefront of the global sustainability dialogue.
At the heart of the summit is a focus on practical, hands-on learning. Interactive workshops engage attendees with new approaches to energy management and climate-smart agriculture, while collaborative sessions provide tools and insights to help communities integrate sustainable practices on the ground.
These exchanges of knowledge and best practices are invaluable for island representatives facing shared challenges and navigating the road toward sustainable development.
With its rich natural landscapes, from lush rainforests and mangroves to coastal habitats, St Kitts & Nevis offers a model of balance between economic development and environmental stewardship.
The nation’s emphasis on geothermal energy exploration and sustainable agricultural practices underscores the summit’s central themes, making it the ideal setting to further the discussion on resilience and climate adaptation in small island states.
Attendees will also enjoy an authentic immersion into Kittitian culture — an experience that highlights the deep connections between community resilience and cultural heritage. This sense of unity and shared history is integral to the Caribbean’s approach to sustainability, where traditions often inform forward-looking solutions.
By focusing on these connections, the summit illustrates how island culture and sustainable innovation intersect to create a vibrant, viable future for the region and beyond.
Looking ahead to St Kitts & Nevis
The Caribbean is more than a region of stunning coastlines — it is a hub of climate-smart innovation and a powerful voice in the global movement for island resilience.
“[Small islands are] nimble, malleable. So it affords us the opportunities to test solutions, to test policies, and to come up with very quick solutions,” Dr Gale Rigobert, Dean of the University of Sint Maarten noted during the PEI summit.
Her sentiments were echoed by St Kitts & Nevis’ Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment & Climate Action, Dr Joyelle Clarke, during her address at the UNGA in September 2024. “Truthfully, our isolated action is but a drop, but every drop counts toward strengthening and improving multilateral action.”
The Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2025 invites attendees to witness firsthand how the region’s leaders are creating pathways toward sustainable development that align environmental priorities with economic growth.
As we look toward St Kitts & Nevis, this summit promises to be not only an exchange of knowledge but a celebration of Caribbean resilience and ingenuity. By convening in this incredible location, we are reminded that each step toward sustainability strengthens the bonds between our island communities, empowering them to build a thriving, sustainable future.
Island Innovation is a social enterprise and digital media platform at the intersection of sustainable development and communications. Learn more at islandinnovation.co