• Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026 to be held from 20 to 22 April at the ExpoMeloneras Conference Centre
• Gran Canaria has been selected as host due to its growing international reputation as a leader in sustainability

Delegations from more than 50 island territories will gather in Gran Canaria from 20 to 22 April for the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026, where they will discuss and build partnerships to address global challenges in sustainability and climate action. The event, organised by Island Innovation in collaboration with the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, will take place at the ExpoMeloneras Conference Centre with the active collaboration of Infecar.

The Councillor for Environment, Climate, Energy and Knowledge of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Raúl García Brink, and the Founder and CEO of Island Innovation, James Ellsmoor, highlighted during today’s press conference that this global forum will bring together a high-level panel of international speakers, including political leaders, experts and representatives of global organisations working on energy transition, climate, oceans and island sustainability.

García Brink stated that hosting the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026 “has enormous strategic value, as it will allow Gran Canaria to showcase to the world the work being carried out on energy transition, sustainability and climate action, while also learning from other islands facing similar challenges, building new international partnerships and positioning the island as an active territory within global sustainability networks”.

In this regard, he underlined that this is precisely the philosophy behind the policies promoted by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria through the Ecoisla project. “Our objective is to move towards a more sustainable development model, while also remaining connected to the knowledge and innovation being developed in other island territories around the world,” he said.

For his part, James Ellsmoor explained that this will be the fourth edition of the Global Sustainable Islands Summit, following previous editions held in Madeira, Canada and, most recently, the Caribbean. “Gran Canaria has been selected as host due to its growing international reputation as a leader in sustainability, offering participants the opportunity to learn directly from the projects and initiatives being implemented on the ground.”

He also noted that the forum will allow islands to share experiences and practical solutions, transforming them into partnerships and, ultimately, into concrete actions.

High-level institutional participation

The event will feature a high-level panel of international speakers, including political leaders, experts and representatives of global organisations working in energy transition, climate, oceans and island sustainability.

It will also bring together between 10 and 15 ministers and senior officials from countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis), as well as delegations from other island territories and key regional organisations such as the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation, and the Delegation of the European Union in Barbados.

Among the key highlights of the summit will be the Geothermal Energy Forum, taking place on 22 April, which will explore opportunities for development and collaboration in island geothermal energy. Another important component will be the exhibition area bringing together companies and project developers working on practical solutions for island sustainability.

The programme will also include technical visits to some of the most emblematic projects currently being developed in Gran Canaria, such as Salto de Chira, the Dunes of Maspalomas, and the Canary Islands Institute of Technology. These visits will allow participants to gain first-hand insight into some of the projects driving energy, climate and environmental innovation on the island.

“In short, during those days Gran Canaria will not only be a place for international debate, but also a showcase for island innovation and sustainability,” concluded García Brink.

Registration

People interested in attending can register at gsis.islandinnovation.co. Residents of Gran Canaria can benefit from a 50% discount by using the code GSIS2026-GCGOV-SP, providing proof of residence during registration.

About Island Innovation

Island Innovation is a global social enterprise working to accelerate sustainable development in islands around the world. Through events, media and collaborative projects, Island Innovation aims to inspire and empower island communities in their transition towards a sustainable future.

Note to editors

If you are interested in interviewing speakers, organisers or attendees of the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026, please contact:
Sarah Forster – sarah@islandinnovation.co