Islands are unique, diverse and vulnerable. They are important early indicators of the common challenges facing our global community, for example from the impacts from natural disasters (floods, tsunami), climate change (sea level rise), overconsumption, waste and other global changes more intensely. Such changes in addition to their isolation and economic vulnerability, jeopardize their food, water, health and economic security. Yet islands contain unique biodiversity, have responsibility for large areas of ocean and generate significant benefits.
Friday, 7 September - The journey starts with Workshop #782 that will share experience on island leadership and the green economy. In the afternoon, participate in a Knowledge Café Discussion (#35) to debate marine conservation in the Western Indian Ocean, visit the species pavilion at lunchtime to learn about invasive species and the red list in Oceania. In the evening, Workshop #778 will share lessons learned from climate change adaptation.
Saturday, 8 September - Be sure to sign up for the Conservation Campus Course (#480) if you are considering Community Based Adaptation to climate change. In the evening Workshop #52 will examine tools emerging from ”The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB)
Sunday, 9 September - The Knowledge Café #471 will offer an opportunity to debate on tourism industry, while Posters will address topics such as invasive species (#390), energy (#450) and ocean management (#236).For the afternoon in the Korea Pavillion, GLISPA will explore island achievements in the lead up to CBD COP 11
Monday, 10 September – take part to a Knowledge Café Discussion (#350) that will look at building networks to promote islands´ sustainability. The Workshop #75 will explore the “Island Biocultural Diversity Initiative”. Again in the Korea Pavillion in the early afternoon will be an event focussed on the role of leadership in achieving nature+ on islands.
Tuesday, 11 September – A Workshop (#459) about Marine World Heritage is proposed in the morning. The islands journey concludes with presentation of key lessons and proposals from the journey events in Commission/Programme wrap-up session (workshop #813) where priorities, strategies and actions will be identified for the coming inter-sessional period.
