The conference, themed "Solutions for our Future," will be held from April 7-12, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Guam. It will feature a diverse range of presentations, workshops, and discussions on topics in line with the Guam Green Growth five categories of action and sustainability for islands.  

The five categories of action are:

• Healthy and Prosperous Communities
• Educated, Capable and Compassionate Island
• Sustainable Homes, Utilities and Transportation
• Thriving Natural Resources
• Sustainable Alliances

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, D.B.A., and Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero will serve as co-chairs for the conference. 

“The annual CIS provides opportunities to present research and applied solutions that contribute to island and global sustainability.  We invite academic and industry experts to share their discoveries or insights to a broader audience that have practical applications to bring sustainability solutions,” said Enriquez. 

The UOG Conference on Island Sustainability is an annual event that has been held since 2010. It is the largest and most comprehensive conference on island sustainability in the Pacific region, attracting participants from around the world.

"We are excited to once again host this important conference, which brings together some of the brightest minds in sustainability to come up with tangible solutions for the green future of all islands," said Austin Shelton, Ph.D., Director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant and a Co-Principal Investigator for Guam NSF EPSCoR. "This year's theme, ‘Solutions for our Future,' highlights the importance of long-term solutions and the research and innovations that have been developed to address the challenges facing our islands."

Enriquez also highlights the global reach of the conference and the implications it can have on Guam’s economic industries. She added, “we will be attracting foreign, international and national experts that will shed applied research or extension ideas that are applicable. This is not just for students.  Our industries want to know what's out there and what can help them to improve.  What can help Islands be more sustainable?”

Individuals interested in presenting their research or projects at the conference are encouraged to submit their abstracts by February 14, 2025 at 5pm CHsT. Visit uog.edu/cis2025 today to submit your abstract, register and learn more about CIS2025. 

Keynote speakers and presenters for CIS2025 will be announced soon with recent keynotes including Tetris entrepreneur and Blue Planet Alliance founder Henk Rogers, President of the Republic of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr., East-West Center president Suzanne Vares-Lum, and Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Arnold Palacios.  

---

CIS2025 is presented by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, The Office of the Governor of Guam, the Local2030 Islands Network, NSF SEAS Islands Alliance and Guam NSF EPSCoR.