President Surangel Whipps Jr. announced this week that Palau is still confirmed to host Our Oceans Conference but sometime in early 2022.
“Our Oceans Conference is on. It is going to happen sometime early next year maybe January or February, dates still to be confirmed,” revealed President Whipps this week. “We want in-person conference..to highlight the value ocean health and ocean wealth.”
Whipps revealed that they’ve been working with Climate Change Envoy John Kerry and Secretary Blinken to make the announcement to the world. He said this is a continuing collaboration with partners, United States, Australia, Norway, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand that have help to prepare Palau to host the conference.
More people are expected to attend next year due to increased vaccination and Whipps said he was looking forward to having more people attend in person at this conference.
Our Oceans Conference was initially scheduled for December 2020 but with COVID-19 pandemic, it became uncertain if Palau could continue to host it. Based on decision to have Palau host the 2020 Conference, number of countries and organizations donated about $16 million to improve and prepare some of Palau’s key facilities to accommodate the conference. Palau had planned to invite 500 people to attend the event.