The Gozo Business Chamber participated in the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026 (GSIS 2026), held in Gran Canaria between the 20th and 22nd April 2026. The Summit brought together international stakeholders, including policymakers, island authorities, research institutions, and private sector representatives, to discuss the future of sustainable and resilient island economies.
The event focused on key themes such as economic diversification, climate resilience, innovation, and the development of sustainable growth models tailored to island contexts.
Intervention by CEO Daniel Borg
The Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Borg, was invited to participate as a speaker in the panel entitled:
“Growing Futures: Ensuring Economic Development for Islands in the ever-changing global landscape”
During his intervention, Mr Borg addressed key structural and policy considerations relevant to island economies, drawing on the experience of Gozo.
His intervention focused on:
- The need to reframe island challenges through the concept of islandness, moving beyond a narrative of limitations towards one of opportunity
- The importance of attracting high value-added investment, illustrated through the example of the Queen Mary University of London campus in Gozo
- The role of the Gozo Business Chamber in facilitating dialogue and coordination between stakeholders
- The identification of structural gaps, including the absence of a structured start-up ecosystem and the fragmentation of initiatives
- The need for a more coordinated and ecosystem-based approach to economic development
- The importance of empowering youth and supporting entrepreneurship through initiatives such as Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo
The intervention highlighted that diversification in island economies cannot rely solely on external investment but must also be driven from within through local talent, innovation ecosystems, and coordinated action.
Key Themes of the Panel
The panel explored how island economies can respond to rapid global change driven by climate pressures, technological developments, and evolving economic patterns. Particular emphasis was placed on:
- Strengthening SMEs and local economic ecosystems
- Attracting sustainable and strategic investment
- Leveraging innovation and digital transformation
- Building resilient, future-oriented economic models
Access the Materials
The Gozo Business Chamber is making available the materials related to the intervention delivered at GSIS 2026:
- 📄 Intervention by Daniel Borg (CEO)
👉 Click here - 📊 Presentation accompanying the intervention
👉 Click here - 📑 Panel Agenda – “Growing Futures” Session
👉 Click here
Conclusion
The participation of the Gozo Business Chamber in GSIS 2026 provided an important opportunity to contribute to international dialogue on island economies and to position Gozo within broader discussions on sustainable economic development.
The Chamber remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen economic diversification, innovation, and resilience within Gozo, while continuing to engage with international partners on matters of strategic importance to island regions.
