Shinan-gun Successfully Wins Hosting Rights for the 2026 World Island Academic Conference After Fierce Competition

Over 2,000 Experts from More than 50 Countries Attend

On the 15th, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it has successfully secured the hosting rights for the 20th Islands of the World Conferences in 2026.

The Islands of the World Conferences is the world's largest academic conference specializing in islands, organized biennially by ISISA (International Small Islands Studies Association), a global island research organization. It attracts over 2,000 experts from more than 50 countries.

Scenic View of Byeongpungdo, Jeungdo-myeon, Sinan-gun
[Photo by Sinan-gun]

Sinan-gun, together with Jeollanam-do and the Island Culture Research Institute of Mokpo National University, submitted a bid proposal to the ISISA headquarters last November. After fierce competition with four other countries including Japan and the Caribbean, Sinan-gun won the right to host the 2026 conference.

The 20th Islands of the World Conferences held in Sinan-gun will take place over one week on Jaeun Island, Sinan-gun, under the theme “Climate Crisis, Island Resilience and Innovation.”

Governor Park Woo-ryang stated, “Through the 2026 Islands of the World Conferences, Sinan-gun, which boasts high biodiversity as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and biosphere reserve, will lead global island development and strive to make this academic conference an opportunity to introduce the beautiful islands of Korea to the world.”

The first Islands of the World Conferences began in 1986 in Victoria, Canada. The Korean delegation, led by Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, and the Island Culture Research Institute of Mokpo National University, plans to attend the 19th conference held in Lombok, Indonesia from June 25 to 29 to actively promote the 2026 Islands of the World Conferences.