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LEADERSHIP | COMMITMENT | COLLABORATION | ACTION Members in Action Showcasing action of Global Island Partnership Members at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress, 1 to 10 September, Honolulu, Hawai’i.

For the first time,we are sharing summaries of TABLE OF CONTENTS GLISPA Member events relevant to our strategic priorities that 2 Achieving Economic Growth while Supporting Environmental took place at the IUCN World Conservation Congress hosted Stewardship in Hawai‘i

by the State of Hawai’i and the . 3 Local Leadership on Sustainability - Aloha+ Challenge

4 European BEST Initiative Event: To learn more about the outcomes of action coordinated by the Fostering biodiversity action in 7 key regions of the world Global Island Partnership at World Conservation Congress, please 5 Global Green Islands Summit see our Event Spotlight: Building Island Resilience in . (GGIS): Establishing Sustainable Islands Cooperation Framework Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about how 6 Towards a new win-win approach: you can become involved in the Global Island Partnership to biodiversity conservation for work together to build resilient and sustainable island communities. disaster risk reduction 7  Challenge and Caribbean Biodiversity Fund launched on Panorama

7 Islands at Risk: Meeting the Global Challenge of Invasive Alien Species

8 Small islands taking action

8 Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage & Promise to Paeʻ Āina o Hawai’i

9 How networks of women are driving forward conservation outcomes

9 Island Restoration and Biosecurity for Resilient Planet

10 Moana Pasifika Welcome Ceremony and Pacific Ocean Summit

10 Pacific SIDS 100% Renewable Energy Target - emerging issues A growing Partnership for all islands. L-R: Kate Brown of GLISPA; Deputy Premier Dr. Pickering of BVI and new GLISPA Leader; Vice Governor of Okinawa, Governor of Hawaii, 11 High level dialogue: Celeste Connors of Hawai’i Green Growth and John De Fries of County of Hawaii. Private Finance for Public Good

11 Rodrigues, Small Island, Big commitments

PAGE 1 OF 12 Achieving Economic Growth while Supporting Environmental Stewardship in Hawai‘i

FOCAL POINT: Celeste Connors, Hawai’i Green Growth, [email protected]

This high-level panel explored how Hawai’i can pursue economic growth while enhancing the environment and natural resources that make the state so celebrated and sought after by tourists. The panelists emphasized the importance of tourism to Hawai’i’s economy, although Makena Coffman of the University of Hawai’i noted that while it is the state’s largest industry, it is not a growth engine. The session also underscored the vulnerability of Hawai’i’s tourism industry to environmental impacts. In particular, Alex Kaplan of Swiss Re explained that there have been fifteen near-misses by hurricanes for Hawai’i recently, underscoring the significant threat to the local economy when a hurricane makes landfall on Oahu, with greater than $30 billion in losses projected if one were to hit Waikiki. At the same time, analyses are indicating that natural infrastructure can often have high net economic benefits, for example in the case of Barbados, and help reduce the potential economic impact of natural events. “Nature in Hawai’i has economic value and we must consider it in the same way as we do the hotels on Waikiki Beach,” stated Kaplan.

Carlos Manuel Rodriguez of Conservation International, and former Minister of Environment and Energy for the Republic of Costa Rica, described the parallels between Hawai’i and Costa Rica, noting that Costa Rica has been able to see significant economic growth at the same time as they doubled protected forest area and experienced significant population growth. He stressed the relevance of measuring growth beyond GDP and the need for major institutional transformations that value nature along with economic growth. John De Fries, Director of the Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawai’i, also noted that the County of Hawai’i has recently joined the Global Island Partnership to open up the international network not usually accessible to the County that can help them engage on sustainability, “We’ve gotten too comfortable going to Washington for our solutions; where we should be talking more to our Pacific cousins.”

For more information go to: www.hawaiigreengrowth.org

PAGE 2 OF 12 Local Leadership on Sustainability Aloha+ Challenge

FOCAL POINT: Celeste Connors, Hawai’i Green Growth, [email protected]

The high-level panel featured Hawai‘i’s Governor, four County Mayors, CEO of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and President of the University of Hawai‘i on the Aloha+ Challenge, Hawaii’s statewide sustainability commitment for 2030. During the two moderated panel sessions, Hawai‘i’s leaders discussed the opportunities and challenges in achieving sustainable development priorities and highlighted action towards meeting Hawai‘i’s 2030 sustainability goals since the launch in 2014.

To drive implementation locally, Governor Ige announced the first statewide interagency Biosecurity Plan and initiatives to protect Hawai‘i’s forests and oceans with statewide commitments to effectively manage 30 percent of the state’s near-shore waters and protect 30 percent of the state’s primary watershed forests by 2030.

The County Mayors demonstrated diverse action Mayor Billy Kenoi of County of Hawai’i shares advances made through the Aloha+ Challenge alongside the Hawai’i Mayors who are signatories to the Challenge. towards 2030 goals from clean energy to smart sustainable communities to natural resource Hawai‘i demonstrated the importance of making community management. Mayor Caldwell highlighted that Honolulu investments. Since 2012, OHA has increased its grant awards was selected to participate in the Rockefeller Foundation’s to $12 million, providing critical funding for community- 100 Resilient Cities (100RC), which will provide a global based natural resource management, ahupua‘a restoration, network, resources and a unique opportunity to increase community farms and other mālama ‘āina efforts. University urban resilience, disaster risk management and the of Hawai‘i President David Lassner launched an international capacity to implement sustainability. As Hawai‘i County student design competition with a $10,000 prize, crowd hits 49 percent renewable energy generation, Mayor sourcing ideas from the brightest minds of our youth to Kenoi is also taking action on efficiency in key operations help re-envision the Ala Wai watershed. This built on the through LED streetlight conversion, photovoltaic and wind momentum of two days of youth hybrid hack-a-thons generation, and converting the county fleet to electric focused on resilient designs to launch the competition. vehicles and locally produced biodiesel. Maui County’s Mayor Arakawa continues to lead on natural resource To connect and learn from other islands globally, Governor management, investing an excess of $4 million in the David Ige accepted an invitation from President of annual budget for freshwater security and watershed and Leader of the Global Island Partnership H.E. Tommy and natural resource management protection from ridge E. Remenegsau Jr, to join the global network of islands to reef. Mayor Carvalho’s strategy to achieve the Smart to share best practices and scale models like the Aloha+ Sustainable Communities 2030 goal includes Complete Challenge to help meet the United Nations 2030 Agenda Streets initiatives in Lihue and around the island. for Sustainable Development and Paris Climate Agreement.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and University of For more information go to: www.hawaiigreengrowth.org

PAGE 3 OF 12 European BEST Initiative Event: Fostering biodiversity action in 7 key regions of the world

FOCAL POINT: Carole Martinez, IUCN Overseas, [email protected]

The European BEST Initiative Event, hosted by IUCN in partnership with the European Commission and the European Parliament, brought together speakers from Europe and the overseas countries and territories and outermost regions to showcase the work achieved through the BEST Initiative - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories of European overseas - as well as to strengthen the BEST Initiative and collaboration between Europe Overseas and SIDS through GLISPA.

Humberto Delgado Rosa, Directorate General for the Environment at the European Commission, emphasized that the European Commission is very supportive of BEST evolving further and would like BEST to be the Global Island Partnership’s first inter-regional challenge.

He also noted that there will be a The Hon. Dr. Pickering, Deputy Premier of the British Virgin Islands dedicated donor roundtable for BEST at (GLISPA’s new leader) with Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director for Natural Capital of the the CBD COP13 in Cancun this year. European Commission, Ambassador Kyota of Palau, Carole Martinez of IUCN Europe Overseas and Kate Brown, GLISPA after the European BEST Biodiversity Initiative event.

Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, Deputy Premier Some of its achievements so far include 34 projects on of the British Virgin Islands, who was appointed by the the ground, which have financed projects on invasive President of Palau as a new GLISPA Leader during the species, ecosystem restoration, monitoring and Congress, highlighted the British Virgin Islands’ (BVI) management. It has produced some first ever regional receipt of a ‘BEST’ grant to assist in the preservation profiles of ecosystem services and over 50 organisations of the Great Tobago National Park. He stated “In the have benefited from the BEST initiative. Caribbean, all of us depend on tourism – there’s no tourism without the environment.” Kate Brown, Executive Director of the Global Island Partnership, affirmed that the BEST Initiative will be Dr Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, CBD Executive promoted through the Global Island Partnership as an Secretary pointed out that the achievements of BEST opportunity to strengthen the relationships between projects, “offer a tremendous potential for sustainable all islands in building resilient and sustainable development and achieving the Aichi targets.” communities globally.

For more information go to: • http://www.bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/best-grant-preserve-bvi-s-great-tobago-national-park • More on the BEST Initiative

PAGE 4 OF 12 Global Green Islands Summit (GGIS): Establishing Sustainable Islands Cooperation Framework

FOCAL POINT: Jessica Robbins, Global Island Partnership, [email protected]

New opportunities for island engagement through the MOU signed by the Vice Governor of Okinawa, the Governor of Hawai’i and Governor of Jeju.

The Governors of Hawai’i, Jeju and Okinawa came together during this Summit to sign a memorandum of understanding to increase collaboration between the three sub-national island economies toward building greater resilience and sustainability. The Governors have agreed through the MOU to hold a Green Island Summit in Jeju in 2018, with the intention to convene the Summit on a tri-annual basis, to highlight island achievements, share best practices, and advance visionary action to build resilience and catalyze local implementation of the SDG agenda. The MOU further recognizes their intention to engage with the Global Island Partnership to learn from existing island models such as the Aloha+ Challenge. The signing of the MOU was complemented by a series of events to begin to identify commonalities, share experiences and discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation for sustainable development of islands.

Video of statements made by Governors during this event: • Governor remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTMduLWNFlI • Governor Ige: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWFOfKEzoxg

PAGE 5 OF 12 Towards a new win-win approach: biodiversity conservation for disaster risk reduction

FOCAL POINT: Radhika Murti, IUCN, [email protected] Over the course of three days, several partners—including IUCN, the University of Hawai’i Manoa, Hawai’i Green Growth, Global Island Partnership the Ala Wai Watershed Partnership and PRECOVERY Labs—came together to combine experiences and capacity-building approaches to create awareness and promote solution finding for disaster risk reduction challenges.

Starting with a tour lead by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program on 1 September 2016, participants were introduced to the threats posed by climate change and the challenges that invasive species, pollution, overcrowding and poor planning pose to homes, schools, universities, small businesses and hotels in the Ala Wai Watershed and Waikiki beach areas.

Ala Wai Canal Tour. Following the field trip, two separate events were PHOTO: STEWART SARKOZY-BANOCZY, PRECOVERY LABS/GLOBAL ISLAND PARTNERSHIP conducted including a conservation campus and two “hybrid hacks” for congress participants and community members. These “hybrid hacks” consist of group activities whereby participants are invited to imagine solutions and design interventions to tackles the issues and threats facing the Ala Wai Canal and Watershed, including Waikiki.

Solutions from both of the “hacks” were then posted in the exhibition hall at the congress and also shared on facebook pages where congress participants and the public were invited to vote for their favorite solution design. The three favorite designs as determined by the vote, support the Aloha+ Challenge “Smart Sustainable Communities” goal and the Island Resilience Initiative, The Kalo Solution: one of the top three solutions developed during the announced by President Remengesau of Palau on Hybrid Hacks. PHOTO: STEWART SARKOZY-BANOCZY, PRECOVERY LABS/GLOBAL ISLAND PARTNERSHIP August 31st in Honolulu. a solution perspective. A model that can be adapted to This successful process set the stage for different design solutions for islands worldwide as we look into stakeholders including the public to engage together and sharing best practices and scaling up projects to increase address the challenges facing vulnerable locations from local resilience.

For more information: • https://www.iucn.org/news/designing-creative-solutions-vulnerable-locations • Honolulu Star Advertiser Article: “Summit finds ways to protect Waikiki, Ala Wai in disasters” • Hawai’i Green Growth Facebook page

PAGE 6 OF 12 Micronesia Challenge and Caribbean Biodiversity Fund launched on Panorama

The Micronesia Challenge and Caribbean Biodiversity Fund have been launched on the new Panorama solution platform at Congress. Willy Kostka, Executive Director of the Micronesia Conservation Trust and Ricky Carl of The Nature Conservancy Micronesia Program presented on the Micronesia Challenge as a Panorama Solution at the Blue Solutions Corner of the Ocean Pavilion on 5 September and identified the building blocks for the regional commitment to protected areas as including: high level political leadership & commitment, building strong partnerships with regional identity and the Global Island Partnership as well as Sustainable Financing through PAN Funds and Endowments.

Yabanex Batista, Executive Director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund also shared the building blocks of this Fund as a regional sustainable financing architecture for conservation during a Blue Solution webinar series in advance of the Congress. These included: Government commitment, strong independent governance of trust funds, regional and national operationalization, strategic planning and the need for monitoring and evaluation. To listen to the recording or learn more go to: http://www.glispa.org/2016/196-highlights-from-the-panorama-island-solutions-webinar

Panorama is a partnership initiative to document and promote examples of inspiring, replicable solutions across a range of conservation and development topics, enabling cross-sectoral learning and inspiration. It has been launched with support from the GEF, German Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, GiZ and IUCN.

Islands at Risk: Meeting the Global Challenge of Invasive Alien Species

FOCAL POINT: Kevin Smith, IUCN, [email protected] This conservation case, hosted by IUCN, focused on the challenge of invasive species for islands, using interactive breakout sessions to generate ideas around, for example, how to build greater capacity to confront the problem of invasive species. Dr. Piero Genovesi, Chair of IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, emphasized the need for data and information management in understanding and addressing invasive species, while Dr. Alan Tye, IUCN’s Inva’Ziles Project Coordinator, discussed the importance of combining global relevance with local significance and the Guidelines for Invasive Species Management in the Pacific. Christy Martin, Program Manager and Public Information Officer for the multi-agency/NGO Hawai’i Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, stressed the global importance of islands, stating that there are, “more than 30,000 islands, , and islets in the world.” She emphasized the need for capacity building, new technology, dedicated personnel, and international networks to address invasive species. She recognized President Remengesau of Palau for challenging world leaders to protect 80% of national waters during the opening ceremony, suggesting that these types of challenges can be important for galvanizing movement behind invasive species and other environmental problems.

In the breakout session on capacity building, participants discussed the key challenges and barriers they face to effective invasive species management and what is needed to raise capacity. Many stressed the need to create a culture of invasive species management and the importance of public concern and involvement, especially in light of the fact that a lack of engagement or participation by a minority of the public can still have a huge impact through the introduction of invasive species. Other comments emphasized the need for adequate attention to control (since prevention cannot be counted on to be completely effective), the importance of framing, and the value of success stories in building support for invasive species management.

PAGE 7 OF 12 Small islands taking action

FOCAL POINT: Fabrice Bernard, Conservatoire du littoral, [email protected]

The Sustainable Islands Initiative is picking up speed with World Conservation Congress being an important milestone for this exciting initiative that aims to help local leaders take action on small islands (i.e., less than 150 km2), to improve the management of natural resources.

During a series of side-events, gathering NGOs from the Mediterranean and West Africa, researchers, public institution and donors, the team of this newly born Initiative announced in Honolulu funding by FFEM (French Facility for Global Environment), for a 5-year development phase starting in 2017. This development phase includes the enhancement of a vast cooperation network to promote best practices, a specific funding tool to support local actions on islands, and the implementation of an audit and award scheme to promote efforts made by islanders.

By working hand in hand with GLISPA, this Initiative will allow new commitments (renewable energies, waste treatment, water resources, biodiversity and natural heritage protection) and promote bold steps towards sustainable development on islands.

Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage & Promise to Paeʻ Āina o Hawai’i

FOCAL POINT: LorMona Meredith, Polynesian Voyaging Society, [email protected] Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) and Promise to Pae Aina partners (P2P) celebrated Governor David Ige’s announcement that the State is committed to effectively managing 30 percent of Hawai’i’s nearshore waters by 2030 in the main Hawaiian Islands. Announced at the opening ceremony of the IUCN World Conservation Congress, this 30 by 30 marine goal is a milestone event for P2P, a Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage-inspired collaboration of partners with a collective commitment to ensure Hawai’i is a better place when Hokulea returns than when she left in 2014.

“Initiatives such as 30 by 30 are essential for our sail plan to a sustainable future. To protect life on earth, we have to protect the ocean waters,” said Nainoa Thompson, president, Polynesian Voyaging Society. “The impact made by the collective efforts of our partners is a testament to how the community can come together to create change that will benefit our children and our future,” he added.

The 30 by 30 commitment was developed through a collaborative effort of conservation organizations, marine resource management groups, community members and government agencies brought together by Promise to Pae Aina o Hawai’i (P2P), a collective impact initiative inspired by the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage, and was announced as part of the Governor’s Sustainable Hawai’i Initiative through the Aloha+ Challenge.

PAGE 8 OF 12 How networks of women are driving forward conservation outcomes

FOCAL POINT: Laura Whitford, The Nature Conservancy, [email protected]

Women from Papua , the , and Northern shared their inspiring stories on what they are doing to promote conservation and empower women in their local communities. Their stories ranged from working on microfinance projects in the Solomon Islands to teaching young people about their indigenous culture in Australia.

An important underlying theme was addressing change and what that means for the long- standing traditions in these various places. Each story was unique, but all shared that common challenge of cultural change, either through empowering women through environmental work, or teaching young ones the cultural importance of protecting their Women from PNG, Solomon Islands and Northern Australia driving forward environment. Our conservation journey is one conservation outcomes that will face many challenges, as we make lifestyle changes for a better tomorrow.

Island Restoration and Biosecurity for Resilient Planet

FOCAL POINT: Raymond Nias, Island Conservation, [email protected]

This workshop, organized by Island Conservation and moderated by Kate Brown of the Global Island Partnership, featured perspectives on biosecurity from the Pacific, North America, and Japan. Ambassador Olai Uludong of Palau opened the session by stressing the need for greater attention to biosecurity issues for islands, noting that while islands are often at risk from invasive species, their small size can be beneficial for being able to tackle and spearhead solutions. “The Pacific’s mantra for tackling invasive species is cooperation, cooperation, cooperation.” said Ambassador Uludong. Cynthia Martinez, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, also emphasized the importance of biosecurity for islands, noting that 80% of recorded extinctions have happened on islands. The panelists placed significant emphasis on learning and collaboration across regions. Federico Méndez of Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas (GECI), for example, noted that there may be much that Mexico can learn from the Pacific’s cooperation and collaboration experiences, including how to make strong partnerships.

PAGE 9 OF 12 Moana Pasifika Welcome Ceremony and Pacific Ocean Summit

FOCAL POINT: Taholo Kami, IUCN , [email protected]

To mark the opening of the Pacific Ocean Summit and the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Pacific leaders and participants gathered on Waikiki beach to call for action on oceans. The ceremony involved a powerful traditional Hawaiian welcome and speeches by President Remengesau of Palau and President Christian of Micronesia, Governor Ige of Hawaii, IUCN Director General Inger Andersen and Master Navigator Nainoa Thompson of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. President Remengesau stated “The ocean doesn’t divide us, it connects us.”

For more information, please visit http://www.hokulea.com/voices-of-the-pacific/

The Pacific Island leaders later reassembled for the Pacific Ocean Summit to announce the 2030 Pacific Ocean Partnership aimed at fostering collaboration between government, private sector, civil society and indigenous peoples to save the world’s largest ocean. The Summit, themed “E ola ke kai, e ola kakou — As the ocean thrives, so do we”, had over 250 participants from 23 countries around the Pacific Rim. Pacific leaders from Micronesia, , and made a range of announcements including the President Hilda Heine’s initiative to develop a regional hub for sustainable shipping. To conclude the summit, a 2030 Pacific Ocean Partnership tapa cloth was signed by the leaders and participants, providing a strong statement of support for a coalition of the willing on ocean action to enhance, amplify and promote the efforts of countries and stakeholders from around the Pacific Rim. A formal launch of the Partnership is planned during the UN Oceans Conference in New York in June 2017.

For more information, please visit: https://www.iucn.org/news/outcomes-pacific-ocean-summit-and-iucn-world-conservation-congress

Pacific SIDS 100% Renewable Energy Target: emerging issues

FOCAL POINT: Anare Matakiviti, IUCN Oceania, [email protected] In recent years a number of Pacific island countries have established 100% renewable energy targets to be achieved by 2020 to increase their energy security, reduce their dependence on imported petroleum fuels, and provide the opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. This event brought together a panel of speakers including ’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Information, Climate Change and Communications, The Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, to share the challenges and emerging issues associated with setting 100% Renewable Energy Targets goals, as well as their experience in their own countries and areas of work. Contact Anare Matakiviti, IUCN Oceania, for the full event report.

PAGE 10 OF 12 High-level dialogue: Private Finance for Public Good

FOCAL POINT: Susi Menazza, The Nature Conservancy, [email protected]

In an effort to address an estimated US $200-300 billion annual funding gap in conservation, civil society organizations, private and public sector financial institutions and academia joined forces today to launch the Coalition for Private Investment in Conservation (CPIC). The Coalition’s goal is to help preserve the world’s most important ecosystems by creating new opportunities for return-seeking private investment in conservation. The Coalition, which includes Credit Suisse, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Cornell University as the founding members, plans to develop new investment models and funding pipelines that will help close the current conservation funding gap and contribute to the global goals for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. See full Press Release.

Rodrigues: Small Island – Big commitments

FOCAL POINT: Toky Rasoloarimanana, Indian Ocean Commission, [email protected]

This session focused on the Rodrigues, a small island of 108 km in the South West Indian Ocean. With the support of the Indian Ocean Commission there is an effort to have the island be considered as “an island of ecology” and a “sustainable island.” Thirty years ago, the island was rated as having the third most endangered flora of the world however with concerted actions with government and partners flora is now being regenerated at a fast rate.

Rodrigues is also the first island in the Indian Ocean that has instituted a plastic ban, in an attempt to educer the impacts on their ecosystems. This plastic ban has also been beneficial to the people, as it allows the local craftsmen and craftswomen to create alternative bags from local, natural resources. They have also focused on community-based marine management as it is fundamental to the survival of coastal communities, through temporary bans on octopus fishing that were adapted from similar sustainable practices in Madagascar.

PAGE 11 OF 12 Thank you to our Global Island Partnership Members for their dedication to working together to building island resilience.

LEADERS:

MEMBERS:

SUPPORTERS:

Thank you to our GLISPA Fellows for their support in Honolulu: Julius Fischer, David McCarthy, Kristin Qui, Stephanie Ratte and Alison Rhatigan.

Make an impact in building resilient and sustainable island communities – become a GLISPA Member Email: [email protected]

@GLISPA_discuss GLISPA Impact Dashboard www.glispa.org

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