The Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) assists islands in addressing one of the world’s greatest challenges: to conserve and sustainably utilize the invaluable island natural resources that support people, cultures, and livelihoods in their island homes around the world.

It brings together islands — small and large, developing and developed — to mobilize leadership, increase resources and share skills, knowledge, and innovations to catalyze action for conservation and sustainable livelihoods It is recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as a partnership to advance the implementation of the CBD 2010 biodiversity target, to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss, and the programs of work on island biodiversity and protected areas.

Called for in Mauritius (January 2005) and launched at the 8th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD in Brazil (March 2006), GLISPA has seven major strategies:

• Inspire and recognize leadership and commitments to action for island conservation and sustainable livelihoods;
• Strengthen partnerships to support implementation of commitments and to build local long-term conservation capacity;
• Facilitate increased public and private funding for island priorities;
• Promote targeted and cost-effective collaboration and exchanges among islands;
• Engage in effective communication strategies on island issues;
• Build linkages between all islands, regardless of political status;
• Track progress on GLISPA commitments.