Event agenda

Site Visits (Morning / Early Afternoon)

Official Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony formally launches the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026, welcoming participants to Gran Canaria for three days of dialogue and collaboration among island leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.

Welcome Networking Reception

Opening High-Level Panel: A Global Vision for Sustainable and Resilient Islands

This panel sets the scene for the conference, highlighting innovative strategies, collaborative solutions, and key opportunities for addressing climate, biodiversity, energy, and socio-economic challenges in island communities.

Resilient Island Grids: Storage, Stability & High-Renewable Futures

This session explores the innovative technologies and strategies enabling resilient island grids, including hydrogen storage, pumped hydro, flexible grid operations, and integrated transmission and distribution planning.

Mobilising Capital for Island Transitions

This session will bring together international institutions, financiers, and island networks to explore strategies for mobilising capital for clean energy and climate projects.

Unlocking EU Funding for Islands: Matchmaking Lab

An insightful island-themed presentation on available funds, followed by a structured brokerage session connecting island governments, solution providers, researchers, and investors to form competitive EU-funded consortia.

Young People Shaping the Future of Museology Through the Lens of the SDGs

This session explores how museums can foster sustainable impact, heritage-focused research, and youth-led societal change, particularly in underrepresented communities.

Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund Pre-Launch: Setting the Stage for Climate Finance in the Virgin Islands

Circular Tourism in Island Economies: Turning Waste into Value

Blue Horizons: Integrating Wave, Tidal & Offshore Wind for Island Energy Transitions

This session brings together leading experts and island research centres to explore the latest technological advances, multi-resource integration approaches, supportive regulatory frameworks, and lessons from global deployments.

Our Shared Ocean - Building Capacity across SIDS

Creating the World’s First Climate-Smart Island Chain: International Launch of The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund

Solution Showcase: Blue Economy - Med-Hubs

Community Power: Batteries, Microgrids & Energy Innovation

This session will spotlight cutting-edge battery systems and microgrid projects that drive island energy autonomy and spark social innovation. Learn how pioneering storage solutions are reshaping resilience and independence for island communities.

Governing Natural Areas under Tourism Pressure

Islands face the dual challenge of preserving fragile ecosystems while supporting vibrant tourism economies. This session examines how islands manage natural areas under pressure from visitor flows, development, and climate change.

Securing Island Food Systems: Resilience, Policy & Community Solutions

This session explores innovative approaches to food security, local production, and community resilience in island and remote contexts.

Building Island Talent, Institutions & Innovation Ecosystems

Participants will examine the unique challenges and opportunities islands face in attracting and retaining skilled professionals, developing resilient institutions, and creating networks that drive sustainable economic and technological growth.

Turismo de Gran Canaria presents: The New Climate Action Strategy for Tourism in Gran Canaria

SPEGC presents: "Best in Gran Canaria" & Bioasis Project

Closing of Day 2

Addressing Vulnerability on Small Island Developing States and Overseas Territories

This session will explore the findings of the latest report on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as its relevance for overseas territories and other non-sovereign island jurisdictions.

Opening Session: Unlocking Geothermal for Island Resilience and Energy Independence

Blue Governance for a Changing Ocean

Islands shape the future of ocean management. This session explores marine spatial planning, fisheries transitions, sustainable aquaculture, maritime innovation, and the governance needed for resilient ocean economies.

Designing & Delivering Impactful Island Innovation Programmes: A Collaborative Design Lab - Metta

Global Islands in Action: Turning Energy Transition Concepts into Bankable, Resilient Futures

De-Risking Island Geothermal: Overcoming Technical Barriers from Exploration to Grid

Decarbonising Desalination: Water Security for Island Futures

Geothermal Policy Lab – Gran Canaria Leading Deployment Context Informing National Governance Alignment (International Geothermal Association - IGA)

Advancing Blue Innovation: Biotechnology and Sustainable Ocean Opportunities

This session will explore strategies for developing blue bioeconomy hubs that connect marine resources, innovation, and industry.

Financing geothermal in islands: structuring investment and unlocking capital

Nature as Infrastructure: Coastal Protection & Community Resilience

This session explores nature-based solutions for coastal protection, highlighting how ecosystems such as wetlands, dunes, and reefs can buffer against storms, erosion, and sea-level rise while delivering social, economic, and biodiversity benefits.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Strengthen Climate Resilience in Small Island Developing States

Solutions Showase: Energy & Circularity

Integrating geothermal into island energy systems: beyond baseload

Growing Futures: Ensuring Economic Development for Islands

This session explores how islands can diversify their economies, strengthen SMEs, attract investment, and build resilient, future-ready growth models.

Understanding the Geothermal Context in the Azores

Bridging the Action Gap in SIDS: Envisioning a Renewable Energy Future

The Use of Satellite Imagery and Drones on Geothermal Projects

Island Governance for 2030: Policy, Collaboration & EU Alignment

This session brings together government and policy leaders to explore how islands can leverage EU funding frameworks, strengthen cross-island collaboration, and develop policies that drive sustainable growth.

Leveraging Early-Stage Funding to De-risk Development – Insights from the Comoros Archipelago

Canarias 2030: The pathway to geothermal deployment

Building Circular Island Systems: Waste, Energy & Infrastructure

Blue Shipping & Ports, Critical Island Infrastructure: Energy, Mobility & Resilience

This session explores how ports, maritime operators, and energy providers can collaborate to electrify fleets, adopt green fuels, and strengthen resilience against climate shocks.

Closing Plenary: A Shared Vision for Island Futures

Join us for the final session of the 2026 Global Sustainable Islands Summit as we reflect on the strength, resilience, and knowledge exhibited by island communities throughout the conference.