Basseterre, Saint Kitts, May 30, 2025 (SKNIS): Saint Kitts and Nevis has earned widespread praise for its successful hosting of the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS) held from May 25 to 30, 2025. Delegates and officials have described the experience as a benchmark-setting achievement in sustainability and international cooperation.
The Summit featured an Island Youth Forum on May 25 and 26, a Geothermal Forum on May 26, the Main Plenary from May 27-29, and a Forum for Subnational Island Jurisdictions on May 30. There was participation from 232 youth, 274 delegates, and 150 visiting students. The participants represented various governments, private sector institutions, universities, and non-governmental organisations. Additionally, 20 local vendors were featured at the summit. They displayed and sold a variety of all-natural products in keeping with the sustainable theme.
“Wow, what a week!” exclaimed James Ellsmoor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Island Innovation. Island Innovation hosts GSIS along with the selected host country. “I want to highlight the incredible work of our hosts in Saint Kitts and Nevis. You have raised the bar for an event like this. I think the message sent has been an incredible one.”
Mr. Ellsmoor added that “We really see that islands are pioneering the systems that the world needs, whether it is in agriculture, water, renewable energy or beyond. … I know that the sparks that come out of this week from the different conversations, meetings, and discussions that you have had will ignite future projects, future initiatives, and the ripples are going to go far beyond this week, whether here in Saint Kitts and Nevis or islands around the world.
Gunther Pauli, entrepreneur, pioneer and bestselling author, is renowned for his work “Blue Economy.” He commended the government for the efforts to build a Sustainable Island State with a robust agenda built on seven key pillars: Food Security, Green Energy Transition, Economic Diversification, Sustainable Industries, the Creative Economy, COVID-19 Recovery, and Social Protection.
Mr. Pauli cited successful models on an island in the Canary Islands chain that has become self-efficient in energy and water production, as well as the reforestation of an area devastated by fire on another island.
“Ladies and gentlemen, when they tell you it is not possible, ask them to get out of the room,” he emphatically said, calling for a dramatic paradigm shift to address climate adaptation and build healthy populations. “Let’s dream, let’s have a vision, let’s go forward, and that is what I have learnt here. With the leadership that you have here, it is possible to do it and let it radiate out so that once and for all, you put the statistics behind you, you focus on getting the results, and never accept a no for a no.”
Minister responsible for Energy, the Honourable Konris Maynard, noted that he was impressed and encouraged by the “depth and scope of every session” as well as the “intervention, eagerness and wisdom of every panellist.”
He referenced the high level of interaction during the three-day plenary session and expressed appreciation for the practical insights shared.
“We have successfully engaged sustainability as a real, tangible and attainable concept. One that every single individual can access and contribute to,” Honourable Maynard stated. “It also shows the exponential genius, intelligence and innovation that lives, breathes, and grows within our island nations. That we need not depend on external forces for our power, but that we can nurture valuable, made-to-fit solutions right here.”
The minister referred to the government’s commitment to transform the twin-island Federation into a Sustainable Island State that was brilliantly showcased to delegates at a forum at the Eco Park. He reiterated that Saint Kitts and Nevis stands ready and is committed to “lead by example.“
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