Sustainability
Regenerative development, resilient island economies and models that bring people and nature into balance.
REGISTERED IN BELGIUM. CONNECTED TO THE WORLD.
Small states.
Shared planet.
Global responsibility.
Connecting European expertise with the priorities of Small Island and Developing States.
POLICY · DIALOGUE · PRACTICEDiscover the Institute ↓
01 / THE INSTITUTE
A European base.
A global perspective.
SEAS is an independent policy institute registered in Belgium, bringing the priorities of island and developing states into the international conversation.
We connect leaders from public life, research, business and civil society to advance sustainability, environmental stewardship, accountability and security. Our work links policy debate with practical approaches to resilient communities and healthy ecosystems.
Our Belgian base provides a platform for engagement with European institutions, research networks and international partners—connecting shared priorities with opportunities for collaboration.
BELGIAN REGISTRATION0765.683.950
Institute for Sustainability, Environment, Accountability and Security in Small Island and Developing States.
Registered name
Het Instituut voor Duurzaamheid, Milieu, Rekenschap en Veiligheid in Kleine Eilandstaten en Ontwikkelingslanden · Het SEAS-Instituut
02 / OUR FOCUS
Resilience requires
a wider lens.
Environmental wellbeing, accountable institutions and economic security are inseparable. We approach them together.
Environment
Climate action, marine ecosystem restoration and pathways towards energy self-reliance.
Accountability
Good governance, meaningful participation and a rights-based approach to development and climate policy.
Security
Small-state sovereignty, regional stability and a multilateral system that protects the most vulnerable.
03 / PROGRAMMES
From shared ideas
to practical pathways.
01Marine ecological equilibrium
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Connecting marine conservation and restoration with research, ecosystem stewardship and the needs of island communities. The programme brings ecological knowledge into the design of sustainable local development.
02Community knowledge & education
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Bringing local knowledge into environmental practice through community engagement, education and exchanges between researchers, practitioners and island communities.
03Sustainable island economies
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Exploring sustainable agriculture, food security and regenerative tourism as mutually reinforcing foundations for resilient island livelihoods.
04Policy dialogue & climate diplomacy
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Convening perspectives across Europe and developing states on climate resilience, accountable governance and international security. Research and policy exchange translate shared challenges into practical options.
05Leadership & knowledge exchange
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Connecting emerging leaders with experienced decision-makers and specialist knowledge, building understanding across regions and strengthening the capacity to address shared challenges.
OUR APPROACH
Europe and island states.
Different perspectives.
A shared future.
We create space for informed dialogue, connect specialist knowledge and develop approaches that respect both communities and the ecosystems on which they depend.
04 / PUBLICATIONS & PERSPECTIVES
Ideas that shape
the conversation.
Selected writing by our Founder and President on climate justice, international cooperation and the future of small states.
The Mace · Winter 2021/22
The Right to Survive Climate Change
Human rights must sit at the heart of the global response to climate change.
The European Journal · Ahead of COP26
The Way Forward Is Together
Rebuilding the shared resolve that made the Paris Agreement possible.
The Mace · April 2022
Why Neutrality Is No Longer an Option for Island States
Small-state sovereignty and the urgent need for a stronger multilateral system.
INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Contributing to the dialogue.
Selected speaking engagements and election observation appointments of SEAS Institute Founder and President Jeffrey Salim Waheed.
FEBRUARY 2022
Food for Future Summit
Opening discussion on food security, sovereignty, nutrition and environmental stewardship, contributing the perspective of island and developing states.
Alongside participants from the SDG2 Advocacy Hub and Emirates Nature–WWF, and a UN World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador.
Session details
The “Food for thought on Food for Future” opening discussion featured Jeffrey Salim Waheed as President of SEAS Institute, Jennifer Croes of Emirates Nature–WWF and Manal Al Alem, UN WFP Goodwill Ambassador. Paul Newnham of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub and Chefs’ Manifesto moderated the session.
22 MAY 2024
Invena · Climate-resilient construction
Participation in “Future of construction in the face of climate change,” addressing the economic and social dimensions of resilient infrastructure, community inclusion and biodiversity.
Convened by Invena at Maldives National University, with fellow panellists from MIT, Maldives National University, Sanken Overseas and the Maldives’ climate diplomacy community.
2024 & 2026
Commonwealth · Bangladesh election observation
Jeffrey Salim Waheed’s election observation appointments reflect his wider engagement in democratic accountability and public institutions: the Commonwealth Expert Team for Bangladesh’s 2024 general election and the Commonwealth Observer Group for the 2026 parliamentary elections and referendum.
Individual Commonwealth appointments, bringing together experience in diplomacy, electoral administration, law and civil society.
05 / LEADERSHIP
Experience in diplomacy.
Commitment to small states.
Jeffrey Salim Waheed
Founder & President
A diplomat and policy advisor advocating for Small Island Developing States and their place in the global economy.
A former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Jeffrey has served in diplomatic roles at the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, and in engagement with the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Italy and Turkey.
His work has included negotiations on climate change, sustainable development and disaster risk reduction, alongside leadership within the Alliance of Small Island States and negotiations on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Explore his biography ↗06 / WORK WITH US
Bring your perspective.
Build a shared response.
We welcome dialogue with European institutions, governments, research organisations and partners working towards resilient island and developing states.
info@seasinstitute.org ↗Belgium · International outlook