Maritime Industry Briefing: Student Energy Summit, Manufacturing PMI, and Climate Funding for Small Island States

## Student Energy Summit Held in the Amazon BE OPEN, a global initiative supporting creativity and innovation, recently partnered with Student Energy to host the International Student Energy Summit in Manaus, Brazil, in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. The four-day summit, which took place from February 18-21, 2026, brought together the world's 'biggest and most diverse youth energy event' to discuss the future of sustainable energy. According to the press release, the summit provided a platform for young people to 'share ideas, network, and collaborate on innovative solutions to global energy challenges.' The event featured workshops, speaker sessions, and networking opportunities focused on topics like renewable energy, energy access, and the energy transition. 'Hosting the Student Energy Summit in the Amazon underscores the importance of engaging the next generation of energy leaders, especially in regions that will be most impacted by climate change,' said a BE OPEN spokesperson. ## Manufacturing Sector Continues Steady Growth The latest Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Report on Business shows the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in February 2026, with the PMI® registering 52.4%. This represents the 32nd consecutive month of growth, though the pace has slowed compared to recent months. 'The U.S. manufacturing sector continued to expand in February, though at a slower rate compared to the prior month,' said Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the ISM® Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. 'New orders, production, and employment all grew, while supplier deliveries slowed and raw materials inventories contracted.' The report indicates that the manufacturing industry is navigating a mixed economic environment, with growth continuing but at a more moderate pace. Manufacturers will be closely watching trends in new orders, production, and employment as they assess the trajectory of the sector. ## Small Island States Struggle to Access Climate Funding A new report from the Back to Blue initiative reveals that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) - some of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change - receive a disproportionately small share of global climate funding. According to the report, many philanthropies, NGOs, and development finance institutions view funding SIDS as high-risk, leading to these nations being 'stranded' when it comes to accessing critical climate adaptation and mitigation resources. 'Despite being on the frontlines of the climate crisis, SIDS continue to be overlooked when it comes to global climate finance,' said the report's authors. 'This funding gap leaves these countries ill-equipped to build resilience and adapt to the devastating impacts of a warming planet.' The report calls for a re-evaluation of funding approaches to ensure that SIDS can access the resources needed to address the existential threat of climate change. As maritime nations, the plight of SIDS is of particular concern to the shipping industry and broader maritime community.