September 20 2022 –The Republic of Palau, the East West Center, and the Pacific Community will host the 1st Pacific Ecological Security Conference from October 3-5, 2022. The conference theme is “Promoting Pacific Island Climate Resilience, Food Security, and Sustainability”. The Conference will take place at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center.
With 107 participants registered the conference will bring island leaders, agricultural and natural resource managers, technical partners, and regional organizations to coordinate the management and prevention of priority invasive species threats.
Participants will focus on core themes of climate change adaptation, food security, biodiversity, quality of life and long-term island sustainability by addressing the highest priority issues relating to the prevention, control, and eradication of invasive species in and across Pacific island societies.
The conference will develop Strategic Action Plans (SAPs) for targeted threats, assess biological control needs for Pacific Islands, and identify necessary actions and commitments by governments and partners to implement these plans.
Minister Steven Victor of Agriculture, Fisheries, & the Environment echoed the importance of the conference and the need to control the problem in the following: “Invasive species threaten our food systems through degradation, threatens our food security, economies, and our environment, so finding solutions should be a priority! It is crucial that Palau become a food-secure nation. And that it is our responsibility to achieve that status under the #KeledANgercheled policy. Addressing, mitigating, and preventing impacts of invasive species is a part of our responsibility. Commitments and partnerships strengthen the response to invasive species. Our response towards preventing and mitigating invasive species should be actionable both locally and at a regional scale.”
For more information, please contact Leena Mesebeluu at 767-5435 or email leenamesebeluu@gmail.com