GSIS 2026Side Events
Alongside the main programme, GSIS 2026 will host a series of curated side events designed to explore specific themes in greater depth and create space for focused dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
These sessions bring together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners working across island and coastal contexts, with a strong emphasis on implementation, partnerships, and applied solutions.
ExpoMeloneras
Installations & On-Going Experiences
Tuesday 21 & Wednesday 22 April 2026
Two ongoing installations and experiences in shared spaces at the venue. While they are not scheduled in the side event rooms, we include them here and on the side events page because they run alongside the main programme—offering informal ways to engage between sessions.
On-going (in lobby)
Live Painting: Restorative Ocean Community
A live, evolving artwork imagining regenerative ocean futures. Attendees are invited to observe, reflect, and engage in conversation around restorative marine systems and human–ecosystem relationships.
On-going (in foyer)
Route 66 Environmental Installations
Interactive works exploring circular practices, environmental responsibility, and collective impact. Includes contribution from keynote artist Maria Koijck.
21 April 2026
Tuesday, 21st of April
Tap a session for full details.
Blue-Tech Innovation Showcase Sponsors
Partners supporting the Blue-Tech Innovation Showcase session — curated organisations aligned with island and coastal sustainability.
Meet the Selected Solutions
Curated organisations presenting scalable approaches for island and coastal sustainability. Use Visit website to open the organisation online, or Learn more for the full brief.
Bout
Digital marketplace for water transportation — ride-sharing, shuttles, and longer experiences.
Finland
Green Independence
Scalable technologies for green energy production and on-site water purification.
Italy
Recycllux
End-to-end digital platform using Earth Observation, AI, and blockchain traceability for marine plastic.
Romania
Floating Power Plant
Floating wind with onboard hydrogen-based long-duration energy storage for islands and weak-grid coasts.
Spain (Gran Canaria)
SolarSub
Maximises the energy density of floating solar systems—increasing revenue generation per square metre on water.
United Kingdom
ATAREC
WAVE BEAT upgrades existing coastal infrastructures to produce stable green wave energy.
Morocco
CORAlliance
Innovative restorative approach using autonomous underwater drones to spray live coral tissue onto reef substrate.
Switzerland
SOS Carbon
Transforms invasive Sargassum into a scalable circular solution.
Dominican Republic
Helen of the Sea
B2B circular solutions for marine tourism — regenerative equipment from ocean plastic.
United States of America
Hippotainer
Modular, container‑based indoor farming solutions for island and climate‑challenged regions.
Netherlands
Ocean Oasis
Offshore desalination powered by wave energy via floating buoys.
Canary Islands, Spain
22 April 2026
Wednesday, 22nd of April
Tap a session for full details.
Solutions Spotlight: Energy & Circularity
Meet the Selected Solutions — Energy & Circularity
Curated organisations presenting scalable approaches in energy transition and circularity for island and coastal sustainability. Use Learn more for the full brief.
Charged Islands
Brings energy independence and reduces electricity prices via baseload renewable energy systems (BRES).
Netherlands
Energy Pool
Advanced energy management and microgrid solutions for reliable and low‑carbon power systems.
France
%20-%20Fibras%20Naturales%20Canarias%20SL.png)
Fibras Naturales Canarias
Transforms banana plant waste into sustainable, high-value products through a circular bioeconomy approach.
Canary Islands, Spain
Biogas Canarias S.L.
Decentralized micro-biogas plants and circularity solutions engineered for island ecosystems.
Canary Islands, Spain
RePlastic Recycle
Modular, AI-enabled plastic recycling and manufacturing systems for underserved coastal and island regions.
United States
ATH Bioenergy
Canarian renewable energy company transforming organic waste into high-value biomethane and circular economy products for islands and remote territories.
Canary Islands, Spain
Solid Energy
Large high-temperature heat pumps (up to 165°C) using natural refrigerants—modular 250kW to 10MW+ units to decarbonise industrial and district heat with wind and solar.
United Kingdom
Exowave
Scandinavian wave energy and water technologies—patented systems turning ocean motion into reliable, zero-emission electricity or freshwater with low visual impact.
Scandinavia