Basseterre, Saint Kitts, May 27, 2025 (SKNIS): At the official opening ceremony of the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS) held on May 27, 2025, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, and Climate Action, welcomed delegates and underscored the urgency of climate action and the transformative role of sustainable development in safeguarding the future of small island nations.
“Welcome to our home, a place where sustainability is transcending ambition and becoming a living, breathing national commitment. We are honoured today to host with Island Innovation and our strategic partners, the Republic of China (Taiwan), island nations from across the globe – from the Cayman Islands to the Canary Islands, from Martinique to the Marshall Islands, from St. Eustatius to Seychelles,” said Dr. Clarke. “Your presence here is a powerful reminder that though we may be separated by the ocean, we are united in purpose and spirit. As coastal island nations, we understand, Saint Kitts and Nevis understands, perhaps more intimately than most, the urgency of the climate crisis. That is why we are aggressively and ambitiously pursuing our sustainable development and our sustainable island state agenda.”
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Minister Clarke emphasised the critical importance of translating dialogue into tangible results.
“This is not just a policy goal, but a means of protecting lives, livelihoods, ecosystems, and future generations. Over the next three days, we are not simply here to digitise our experience, to stream, share and network. You can do that, but that’s not the goal,” she stated. “We are here to concretise our discussions, to give weight, substance, and reality to bold ideas that will be exchanged. We are here to shape outcomes, to forge partnerships, and to leave this summit with transformative, actionable solutions for our islands and our people.”
Dr. Clarke warmly invited youth delegates to share their Island Youth Forum experiences and join the discussion about the future as a gesture of inclusion.
The Global Sustainable Islands Summit which culminates on Thursday, May 29, gathers leaders, innovators and stakeholders from worldwide island nations to develop strategies for sustainability alongside climate resilience and inclusive development.
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