Overview:
Palau has been selected to chair two of Micronesia’s key climate and biodiversity bodies following a regional leadership workshop in Guam, marking a major step in strengthening coordinated action across the Micronesia Challenge.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR Palau — Leaders from five Micronesian islands forged ahead on climate resilience and biodiversity goals this week, tapping Palau to chair key regional bodies during a three-day workshop in Guam.
The Micronesia Challenge Regional Leadership Workshop, held Jan. 19-21, drew representatives from Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Sessions covered the Micronesia Challenge Regional Office Review, Green Climate Fund Program Board Meeting and Kiwa Initiative Women’s Work Steering Committee Meeting.
While Guam and the Northern Marianas joined discussions, they hold no voting seats in the GCF or Kiwa bodies. The group zeroed in on performance reviews, workplan endorsements, compliance checks and coordinated actions to boost results across the region’s priorities.
A hot topic: Terms of Reference requiring all voting members to join decisions — in person, hybrid or by proxy — to lock in transparency and accountability.
Key outcomes:
• Palau selected as chair for both the Kiwa Initiative and GCF Program Board.
• Republic of the Marshall Islands named vice chair for both.
Palau’s delegation, led by Justice Minister Hon. Jennifer Olgeriiil, featured Micronesia Challenge Focal Point Melvira Kazuma, Climate Change Office’s Joseph Aitaro, Kiwa Initiative Women’s Project Rep. Jennifer Ngiraiwet (Ngardmau State Governor), PAN Technical Committee’s Sholeh Hanser and PAN Communications Officer Jerrica Davis.