Overview:
🌊 Palau Champions Tech-Driven Ocean Protection at Global Summit
KOROR — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. showcased Palau’s innovative approach to ocean stewardship at the 13th World Ocean Summit in Montreal, highlighting science and technology as keys to protecting the Pacific’s vast waters ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum and COP31.
Whipps to call for stronger Pacific partnerships ahead of Forum and COP31
KOROR, Palau (March 5, 2026) — Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. spoke at the 13th World Ocean Summit in Montreal, highlighting how science and technology can help small island nations strengthen ocean stewardship and secure their vast exclusive economic zones.
The summit, hosted by The Economist, runs March 4–5 in Montreal, Canada, under the theme “Innovate, Protect, Prosper: Securing Our Ocean Future.” The forum brings together global leaders, scientists and industry representatives to discuss ocean governance and the development of the blue economy.
According to the government, Whipps will outline Palau’s approach to managing its marine resources through innovation, sustainable policies and international cooperation. He emphasized the importance of expanding access to marine technology for developing countries, strengthening science-based protections for deep-sea ecosystems, and promoting an ocean economy that balances conservation with community development.
“As small island nations, we are custodians of vast ocean areas that sustain the planet,” Whipps said in a statement. “Palau is showing that innovation and stewardship can go hand in hand to secure a future where people and nature thrive together.”
His participation comes as Palau prepares to host the Pacific Islands Forum and continues planning efforts related to COP31 climate talks. Whipps called for expanded partnerships among governments, private companies and philanthropic organizations to support Pacific leadership on ocean and climate action.
Separately, Whipps signed a memorandum of understanding with Biosphere Dynamics LLC to strengthen Palau’s maritime monitoring capacity.
Under the agreement, Palau will work with the company and its chief executive officer, Peter Houlihan, to deploy long-range unmanned aerial systems and integrated data analytics to detect and document illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing within Palau’s exclusive economic zone, which covers approximately 600,000 square kilometers.
The government said the partnership is intended to enhance maritime domain awareness, support enforcement operations and ensure that collected data remains under Palau’s sovereign control.
The agreement also includes training for Palauan personnel and measures to improve evidence collection to support enforcement under national law. Officials said the initiative aims to create a sovereign monitoring model that could be shared with other members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Palau has committed to global biodiversity targets, including protecting 30 percent of land and ocean areas by 2030. Officials said investments in advanced monitoring systems are intended to protect marine resources, strengthen sustainable fisheries management and bolster national security.
Biosphere Dynamics LLC describes itself as a technology and innovation company focused on developing advanced biodiversity monitoring systems. (PR)