Will 2026 be an even bigger year for small islands?

In this episode, Emily, Matt and the other RESI Directors look back on everything that happened in the world of small islands during 2025, discussing hot topics, highlights and lowlights while looking forward to 2026 will bring. The team also discusses how their own policy and research has shaped conversations around different SIDS agendas - from debt and oceans to geopolitics and climate justice.

NB: Hurricane Melissa cast a very long shadow over the final months of 2025 and will continue to do so for Jamaicans as they rebuild their country. If you would like to support those efforts, you can make a donation to the government’s relief fund here.

Featuring:

o Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Principal Research Fellow at ODI Global

o Matthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield

o Courtney Lindsay | RESI Director and Senior Research Officer at ODI Global

o Gail Hurley | RESI Director and Development Finance Expert

o George Carter | RESI Director and Deputy Head of Department of Pacific Affairs/Director of Pacific Institute, Australian National University

o Jack Corbett | RESI Director and Head of School of Social Sciences, Monash University

o Rachid Bouiha | RESI Director and Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Resources:

o Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)