Second Annual In-Person Convening of the Local2030 Islands Network's Communities of Practice
The Local2030 Islands Network gathered over 170 islanders from 42 islands across the Pacific, Caribbean, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans at its second annual in-person convening of the Data for Climate Resilience and Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism Communities of Practice on April 23-25, 2024 in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Building on the success of the inaugural convening of these communities of practice in 2023, this in-person gathering brought together technical experts, practitioners, and government leaders from national and subnational islands across the globe. The Communities of Practice gatherings provide space for island leaders, practitioners, and technical experts to share good practices, island solutions and lessons learned, receive technical training, collaborate, and exchange knowledge and unique island experiences in a collaborative, peer-to-peer forum.
The 2024 event brought together both previous and new attendees from islands from across the world to showcase progress and action taken on various initiatives since the last meeting, and how the communities of practice have influenced and catalysed change. Technical partners and island practitioners provided workshops and discussion spaces to support ongoing action by island communities in the fields of climate resilience and sustainable and regenerative tourism. 69 speakers, across 36 sessions, shared their wisdom and experiences through engaging, discussion-based sessions and workshops. Participants had the opportunity to workshop solutions to challenges and share solutions amongst peers and technical experts, as well as collaborate on a global scale for the implementation and achievement of Agenda 2030.
Monday, April 22, 2024
Washington Place Welcome Reception Hosted by Governor Josh Green and Hawaii Green Growth
Speakers: Elise Kamanu and Cooper Long (Hawaii SDG Youth Council), Governor Josh Green (Hawai‘i), Ambassador Spencer Thomas (Grenada), Mark Glick (Hawai‘i State Energy Office), Daniel Nāhoʻopiʻi (Hawai‘i Tourism Authority), Celeste Connors (Hawai‘i Green Growth/ Local2030 Islands Network)
The Local2030 Islands Network was delighted to host its official welcome reception for CoP participants, Hawaii-based partners, and Hawaii’s local and state leadership at Washington Place, the former home to Hawaii’s territorial and statehood governors, designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2007. The reception, hosted by Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Green with the Network Co-Chairs Celeste Connors and Kate Brown, highlighted the importance of island leadership in achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This gathering welcomed officials from over 40 developed and developing member island economies working to advance local solutions with global relevance.
The reception, sponsored by Hawai‘i State Energy Office, Kyo-Ya Hotels, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority kicked off a week of technical discussions through the Network's Communities of Practice on Data for Climate Resilience, Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism, and Clean and Resilient Energy Systems.
Welcome & Opening Protocol | Local2030 Islands Network Overview Speakers: Kate Brown (GLISPA/Local2030 Islands Network), Celeste Connors (Hawaii Green Growth/Local2030 Islands Network), Samantha Happ (Local2030 Islands Network), Lisa Vaughan (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā (Hawai‘i Tourism Authority), Kinohi Souki and Timoteo Esene (Hawai‘i SDG Youth Council)
In this kickoff session, opened with traditional Hawaiian protocol offered by Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā (Chief Brand Officer, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority), attendees were welcomed to Hawai‘i and introduced to the Local2030 Islands Network. Two representatives of the Hawai‘i SDG Youth Council, Kinohi Souki and Timoteo Esene, shared their reflections as youth leaders on the importance of a global network for island leadership and innovation for progress towards sustainable development, sharing a video message to accompany their remarks. Co-Chairs of the Network, Celeste Connors and Kate Brown, and Managing Director Samantha Happ, welcomed participants for the second convening of the Communities of Practice, sharing the pillars of the Network - including Political Leadership for Local Goals; Public-Private Partnerships; Measuring what Matters; and Local Action - as well as shared progress from member islands since the last convening. Lisa Vaughan of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an implementing partner of the Local2030 Islands Network, affirmed US support for strengthening island-led resilience and adaptation and the value of these Communities in driving solutions, collaboration, and knowledge-exchange in a peer-to-peer forum.
Virtual Islands Platform Post - Opening Plenary Session
Storytelling for Impact Speakers: Dianne Dredge (Local2030 Islands Network), Arno Verhoeven (Bonaire), Pédzi Girigori (Curaçao), Jeremy Goodwin (Cook Islands), Miki Tomita (Hawai‘i)
‘There is no story without data and there is no data without a story’. This joint session introduced stories as a useful tool for dissolving the boundaries and building shared understanding between our communities of practice. Stories resonate at a personal level, they connect to a deeper sense of meaning, and help us step into a connected way of understanding the issues.
Jeremy Gooodwin from the Cook Islands Travel discussed their "Mana Tiaki" program, which means to care for and protect.
Pedzi Giriorgi Curaçao shared two initiatives focused on changing mindsets and behaviours for sustainability.
Arno Verhoeven from the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance highlighted a grassroots mangrove restoration project as a nature-based solution
Miki Tomita from the Education Incubator shared the metaphor of the "One Ocean Nation" to emphasize the interconnectedness of islands
Virtual Islands Platform Post - Plenary Session-Storytelling for Impact and presentation resources
Community Story Sharing: Storytelling for Knowledge Exchange Speakers: Ilihia Gionson and Daniel K. Naho'opi'i, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
Indigenous knowledge incorporates centuries of sustainable practices, community-centric approaches, and deep connections to nature. There are no silos, strategies or performance metrics in indigenous cultures, and yet indigenous peoples have cared for and stewarded the regeneration of our lands and waters for millennia. What can we learn from indigenous approaches and ways of working? Respect for living systems and understanding the story of place are at the core of Indigenous knowledge systems. This joint community of practice session explored the value of Indigenous knowledge systems and connection to place. In an engaging plenary session, we explored how we might break down barriers, overcome the silos, and incorporate indigenous wisdom into the way we think, act, and connect in the world.
Featuring case studies from both the Data and Tourism Communities of Practice on community engagement and breaking down silos, this session focused on true integration and implementation of indigenous knowledge in projects, planning, and policy, with projects from Jerry Spooner (Regenerative Vanua, Vanuatu) and Māliaonani Silva-Meeken and Hokulani Fortunato (Indigenous Data Scientists, Hawai’i County, Hawai’i) shared with participants. The Hawaii County team ran a grounding workshop they run in their own Communities of Practice gatherings to get the room thinking about stories, observations, and connections, and how to connect to place. After this session the communities of practice broke out into their respective groups to dive deeper into community-specific technical assistance sessions
Virtual Islands Platform Post - Breaking Down Barriers and Activating Systems Change and presentation resources
Sharing Connections and Engagement Speakers: Chris Hobbs (Local2030 Islands Network)
The Local2030 Islands Network has developed a virtual community platform (Circle) for technical exchange and capacity building amongst island members and technical experts in the Communities of Practice to share knowledge, collaborate, and engage in learning opportunities. This platform serves as an online peer-to-peer forum for island members to engage with one another and technical partners, for webinars, online courses, and training modules and is intended to be a way of deepening community engagement and technical support offered by the Network. This session was the public launch of the platform and announcement of a competition to name the platform by the communities of practice, which was retitled the Virtual Islands Platform (VIP) by popular demand.
Virtual Islands Platform Post - Introduction to the Virtual islands Platform and presentation resources
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Presenters: Paula Moehlenkamp (Local2030 Islands Network/ Pacific RISA), Mikayla Etpison (Palau Office of Climate Change), John Marra (NOAA), Chelsey Bryson (Pacific RISA)
This session introduced participants to and explored the Climate Action Pathway - a framework developed to connect in-country high level adaptation goals to actionable data and indicators. Readouts and reflections on the pathway’s recent application in Palau were then shared by Palau and Pacific RISA staff, with practical advice given on how to assemble stakeholders to discuss data within this framework. This framework was used as the framing mechanism for all subsequent Data Community of Practice sessions during the convening.
Building on the earlier session of breaking down barriers, this session also addressed stakeholder engagement for successful implementation of climate services to effectively support decision-making and adaptation efforts at local levels. Finally, a breakout discussion was facilitated to explore stakeholder representation and engagement when exploring climate data. Participants shared and discussed strategies to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders, and create inclusive environments in which to engage with the Climate Action Pathway and with climate services.
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Speakers: Erin Derrington (Local2030 Islands Network), Alison Culpin (SPC), Robbie Greene (Pacific Coastal Research & Planning - PCRP, CNMI), Manuel Heredia-Morales (University of Puerto Rico), Diana Roopnarine (Trinidad & Tobago), Christie Mettes (Aruba)
Within this session participants explored low-cost, locally-led and robust data collection methods in islands, and how to address and manage data gaps, and engage with regional data and models. With case studies from SPC, CNMI, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago, this session showed the importance of combining locally- and regionally-available data to ensure robust decision-making through ground-truthing. Identifying data gaps, developing partnerships, and improving current data collection and management systems were all major focuses of case studies presented in the session.
Speakers from Aruba then guided participants through a coastline mapping exercise with the Google Earth Engine system. This open-access approach to mapping provided participants with hands-on experience with mapping software and explored some of the applications of this mapping protocol, especially coastal erosion tracking and ecosystem changes. Special thanks to the Hawaii Green Growth team who facilitated technical support for this session.
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Speakers: Christina Leala Gale (SPTO), Norman Wray (Galapagos), Nildamarie Diaz (Puerto Rico), Catherine Orlans (Hawaii Tourism Authority), Dianne Dredge (Local2030 islands Network)
This session explored how we partner and build momentum for systems change focusing on different stakeholder groups- intergovernmental, national industry and community partnerships. Our speakers discuss what are the characteristics of effective partnerships for change and how to implement and care for those partnerships.
Starting with the regional level, the SPTO discussed the Sustainable Tourism Regional Framework.
Normal Wray profiled the work being done on the Galapagos Islands to align agencies in their pursuit of a regenerative approach.
Nildamarie Diaz discussed Puerto Rico’s voluntary certification covers sustainable tourism, ecotourism and agritourism
Cat Orlans introduced the partnering work being undertaken as part of the O’ahu Destination Management Plan, working with visitors, community, and industry.
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Speakers: Dianne Dredge (Local2030 Islands Network), Calum Matthews (4VI- Vancouver Island), Cherise Addinsall (University of the Sunshine Coast), Sammi Gowthorp (Flinders Island)
This session presented three different case studies of regenerative tourism in action - how the projects emerged in response to local contexts, the approach, political and community support, challenges and setbacks. The case studies included:
Calum Matthews from 4VI who discussed the shift from a traditional destination marketing organisation to a social enterprise focused on ensuring travel is a force for good.
Sammi Gowthorp from Flinders Island, Tasmania, Australia shared how their small island community is taking a regenerative approach after reaching an economic, social, and environmental tipping points on the island.
Cherise Addinsall from the University of Sunshine Coast and advisor to Regenerative Vanua discussed their project to develop regenerative agritourism experiences in partnership with Indigenous communities.
The session summed up key learnings for implementing regenerative projects.
Wednesday, April 24
Island Café: Cross-Community of Practice Exchange Facilitators: Kate Brown (GLISPA/Local2030 Islands Network) and Erin Derrington (Local2030 Islands Network)
This session explored topics of discussion informed by participant priorities identified during the sign-in activity and building on inspiration throughout the first two days of the convening. Participants volunteered to lead small group discussions based on areas of interest, working together to answer the questions of “what is missing” from the conference agenda in terms of island-specific priorities. Topics and key needs or next steps were reported out to the group on the following priority topic areas:
Climate Change;
Public-private partnerships (green growth initiatives, much like Hawaii Green Growth);
Regenerative Tourism;
Meaningful stakeholder engagement;
Cruise ship tourism: can it be sustainable?
Energy;
Voluntary National (and Local) Reviews;
Activating Communities of Practice;
Island certification criteria/programs/schemes for regenerative tourism;
Incorporating indigenous knowledge.
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Presenters: Adam Gramann (Pacific Disaster Center), Alison Culpin (SPC), James Potemra (UH Manoa), Christie Mettes (Aruba), Tyler Belko (INDOPACOM)
Speakers explored the vast array of data toolkits available and efforts underway on unifying toolkits, and case studies on bringing multiple toolkits together in portals and for project implementation in this session. Presenters from SPC, PDC, INDOPACOM, and Aruba shared their experiences with developing, implementing, and unifying tools, models, and data within portals, with specific focus on implementation and connection to end users.
Participants then joined breakout discussions on the gaps, needs, and limitations of current toolkit accessibility and use. Discussions focused on differences between different regions on data and portal availability, with these cross-regional discussions being invaluable for sharing potential solutions and good practices.
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Speakers: Chris Hobbs (Local2030 Islands Network), Kaimana Walsh (Hawaii Green Growth/ Local2030 Islands Network), Violet Fernando (Palau Green Growth), Titus Antoine (Grenada, Division of Economic & Technical Cooperation), Austin Shelton (University of Guam/Guam Green Growth/Sea Grant)
This session introduced participants to the upcoming L2030IN Island Way playbook for PPP and SDG Dashboard development, with particular focus on its localisation elements. This playbook, delving into the various steps needed to be considered and developed to build a public private partnership to support SDG dashboard development, is envisioned as a major output of the network, and more information about its development will be shared with the network in the near future. One key element of the playbook is its acknowledgement of there not being a “one size fits all” solution to implementing localised dashboards, and will feature island-specific approaches to the process as addendums to the book.
The session then shared case studies from some of the Green Growth initiatives already underway and developing SDG dashboards and their efforts to localise data and dashboards. Hawaii Green Growth, Guam Green Growth, and Palau Green Growth all shared about their approaches to this process, and recent progress and successes. Grenada shared experiences on preparing to explore dashboards and their importance within the global setting.
The room then broke out into discussion groups on what is needed for developing dashboards as well as how to approach localising a general protocol. Special thanks to our facilitators Jillian Cristobal (Hawaii Green Growth), Manuel Heredia-Morales (Puerto Rico), Robbie Greene (CNMI), and Morgan Guerrero (Guam Green Growth) for leading and directing the discussions in this session. These discussions will help shape the approach and information given in the Island Way Playbook throughout its development.
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Presenters: Chris Hobbs (Local2030 Islands Network), Paul Lebon (Seychelles), JinNam Hopotoa (Niue), Elisapeta Roreta Areta-Toma (Samoa), Karima Degia (Barbados), Lisa Vaughan (NOAA), Gabrielle Johnson (NOAA)
One of the key elements needed for effective climate action is funding, which can often be limited and difficult to access in island economies. This session explored how data can be applied to support resource mobilisation including: novel methods for funding, carbon inventorying, and sustaining climate resilience action through synergistic and cross-industry support. Featuring case studies from the Seychelles, Niue, Samoa, and Barbados, speakers shared specific funding mechanisms, their implementation and tracking, and bringing them together in a coordinated framework.
L2030IN technical partner NOAA then explored the data needed to explore one of the shared funding mechanisms- blue carbon. While not a funding mechanism all islands may explore or agree with, understanding the blue carbon ecosystem and quantifying that ecosystem can be valuable conservation data.
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Speakers: Jabal Hassanali (Local2030 Islands Network), Karima Degia (Barbados), Angela Burnett-Penn (British Virgin Islands)
In the final Data for Climate Resilience Community of Practice session, participants were introduced to two island case studies that are exploring holistic approaches to project implementation and using data to track and measure progress. Presenters from Barbados and the British Virgin Islands shared progress, learning opportunities, stumbling blocks, and future plans for locally and nationally implemented plans. These stories showed the importance of incorporating data throughout planning and implementation processes, and engaging with communities and stakeholders.
Regenerative Tourism Catalyst Grants Info Session Facilitators: Gabrielle Johnson (NOAA), Jason Donofrio (The Ocean Foundation)
This workshop provides direct support to participants who are interested in applying for the Regenerative Tourism Catalyst Grants. The interactive session would provide an opportunity for participants to share ideas and receive peer to peer feedback in small groups. Those not applying will be able to participate by exploring how to develop an idea into a compelling project description for a future project. More Information on the Tourism Catalyst Grant can be found on The Ocean Foundation Website.
Learn more about the session on the Virtual Island Platform.
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Speakers: Gabrielle Johnson (NOAA), Lauren Wenzel (NOAA), Ben Scheelk (The Ocean Foundation)
The aim of this interactive workshop was to explore the relationship between tourism and climate change and how tourism might contribute to climate action. A brief introduction aimed at building climate literacy among tourism professionals was followed by case studies.
Case studies of Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust, British Virgin Islands and seagrass and mangrove restoration in the Grenadines emphasised the importance of a comprehensive approach to building climate resilience in island tourism destinations, involving both infrastructure and ecosystem-based strategies, as well as engaging local communities and young people.
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Speakers: Gabrielle Johnson (NOAA), Sue-Ann Lee (Aruba), Lauren Wenzel (NOAA), Scott Shatto (NOAA), Ben Scheelk (The Ocean Foundation), Nadine Schmidt Rojas (Local2030 Islands Network/ The Tourism CoLab)
This session focused on citizen science and community participation as tools for building awareness and collecting data to support climate resilience efforts in island tourism destinations.Citizen science can involve volunteers partnering with scientists to answer local place based questions, and can be an effective way to engage communities, learn about local ecosystems, and collect data at scales that would otherwise be challenging.
Examples of citizen science projects include bird counts, butterfly counts, fish counts, and coral health monitoring. Case studies included:
Nadine Schmidt: "Passport to Recovery" project on Kangaroo Island (Australia) engaging visitors in wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts post-bushfire, and a local tour operator in Melbourne incorporating beach cleanups and debris tracking into their experiences.
Sue-Ann Lee: In Aruba, collaborative efforts between the university, tourism board, and national park are underway to develop sustainable tourism coursework and engage students in addressing real-world challenges, while a case study with a local hotel demonstrated the effectiveness of employee training in promoting sustainable practices.
Ben Scheelk: A large-scale mangrove restoration project in Puerto Rico is exploring ways to boost local economic development and engage corporate volunteers and local youth in restoration activities, while also fostering ecotourism opportunities.
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Presenters: Dianne Dredge (Local2030 Islands Network), Nadine Schmidt Rojas (The Tourism CoLab), Debby Rauwers (Bonaire), Delysia De Coteau (Grenada), Paul Lebon (Seychelles), Brad Kirner (Cook Islands), Sammi Gowthorp (Flinders Island)
This interactive session explored a range of challenges associated with the implementation of sustainable and regenerative tourism. Participants were asked to pitch their idea for a conversation to the room, five tables were formed around key topics. Conversations table topics included: implementing a tourist tax; tourism’s contribution to circular economy; managing overtourism; governance and policy change; and measuring what matters.
The conversation bazaar was designed to gain an understanding of key issues and to identify opportunities, examples, and tools available.
Summary of Conversations:
Virtual Island Platform Post including the conversation summary
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Speakers: Shane Young, Orisha Joseph, Mary Joan Hippolyte, Harold Dalsan, and Cassander Titley-O'Neal (MPA Connect)
Sustainable tourism is one of more than 20 elements of marine protected area (MPA) management that are addressed by Caribbean coral reef managers in the MPAConnect network. The presentations underscored the importance of MPAs as critical assets for tourism and conservation. Managers employ various strategies to balance resource protection, visitor access and experiences, and stakeholder interests. The session focused on case studies in marine protected areas (MPAs), including:
Orisha Joseph. Introduction to the MPA partnership, its activities and impact and a case study of the rehabilitation of Ashton Lagoon, Grenadines.
Shane Young. Adaptive management and measuring change, Lighthouse Reef atoll, Belize Audubon Society.
Cassander Titley O’Neal. Incorporating climate resilience measures into sustainable tourism in the British Virgin Islands.
Harold Daslan. Soufriere Marine Management area, Saint Lucia.
Joan Hippolyte. Pitons Management Area, St Lucia
Presentation Resources: Sustainable Tourism Management in Marine Protected Areas VIP Post with Resources
Thursday, April 25
BISHOP MUSEUM SITE VISIT
Speakers: Tim Gallagher (Bishop Museum), Nick Waldvoort (Bishop Museum), Tyrone Montayre (Protect and Preserve Hawaii), Allison Valdez (Protect and Preserve Hawaii), Jason Preble (Terraformation)
In 2023, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, in collaboration with Terraformation, installed a fully contained seedbank for native species reforestation on Oahu. The museum has been working with multiple landowners, including Protect and Preserve Hawaii, to collect, process, and store seeds for locally-led native tree reforestation efforts.
This site visit was an opportunity to showcase and celebrate a locally developed project that is scaled from a global perspective, bridging both data for climate resilience and tourism topics. Presentations and demonstrations focused on the topics of native tree and forest restoration projects, watershed protection, and creating a network of reforestation stations and seedbanks, with both local and global perspectives.
Of particular interest to our Communities of Practice was the use of data from both the museum’s botany collection, the seedbank, and reforestation efforts, to link together all the action in a cohesive way to show impact and progress of projects. Additionally, the seedbank’s presence at a tourist attraction allows informal education opportunities on native species, conservation, and reforestation that would normally be difficult to access for visitors to the islands.
Having the global perspective of Terraformation also allowed participants to explore options for similar projects in their home islands, facilitating locally-appropriate reforestation project development. On the local side of the project implementation, presentations by landowners involved in the reforestation efforts showed the perspective of local landowner/community engagement in projects to ensure success and implementation.
The site visit culminated with an opportunity to plant seedlings that will be used for native tree reforestation projects, providing participants a space for connection, reflection, and tangible engagement in climate adaptation efforts that will yield benefits to land and water systems and the people that rely on them to support more resilient systems that are at the core of sustainable development planning.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Charting the Course Towards Resilient Prosperity Speakers: Kate Brown (GLISPA/Local2030 Islands Network), Spencer Thomas (Grenada), Edison Rijna (Special Envoy BES islands for EU and UN and Economic Development with Latin America and Caribbean), Camryn Alomar (Hawaii SDG Youth Council), Austin Shelton (Guam Green Growth/University of Guam), Patty Coleman (Northern Marianas College, CNMI)
This session featured a panel and presentation providing high-level framing and priority setting on how island thought leadership is leading the way towards 2030+, connecting local and global SDG implementation in islands and how islands are steering the course towards a more resilient future. Additionally, Edison Rijna, the former Lt. Governor of Bonaire and current Special Envoy BES islands for EU and UN and Economic Development with Latin America and Caribbean, announced the membership of Sint Eustatius and Saba to the Local2030 Islands Network.
This panel was then followed by breakout groups to support identification of priorities and next steps, answering the questions of (i) what are priorities islands would like to be engaging in, (ii) how will these priorities be furthered in the year ahead, and (iii) how can the Local 2030 Islands Network help support this work. After providing time for reflection and discussion, participants were asked to share report-outs of their priorities and next steps. High-level commitments for membership and partnerships as well as efforts to further green growth initiatives and launch dashboards were shared. Emphasis of the importance of connecting practitioners and leadership through the in-person convening and continuing discussions through the Communities of Practice and new online platform was echoed throughout comments that also connected themes of the need to break down silos to support circular economics and sustain public/private partnerships for people, profits, and planet. Nearly 50 written responses were submitted through the online form and numerous verbal report-outs shared in the session reflected similar themes, sharing hope and commitments for short-term, mid-term, and long-range actions that will move specific island economies, regions, and the island-led dialog of transformative locally-led sustainability planning forward in the year ahead and through 2030. Through this holistic approach of making connections, sharing stories, and breaking down barriers, we will continue to build capacity together to achieve data-driven resilience outcomes.
Event Overview: April 23-25, 2024
170 Participants from over 42 island economies, representing all major oceans, joined the Local2030 Islands Network for this this 3-day gathering from April 23-25, 2024 on the island of Oahu, Hawai‘i.
Conference Venue: Hawai‘i Convention Center