On October 3, 2025, the Palau Conservation Society (PCS) hosted the Resilient Babeldaob Luncheon to launch the Kiwa Initiative-funded project, Resilient Babeldaob: Integrating Watershed Management and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Community Resilience in Palau. The event brought together distinguished guests such as the resident Ambassadors of Taiwan, Japan and Australia as well as visiting Ambassadors of France and Romania. Alongside the diplomatic corps, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, State Governors and the PCS Board of Directors were present to commemorate the launch. Designed to elevate high-level political awareness, the luncheon showcased Palau’s leadership in advancing community-based adaptation and integrating NbS into local and state planning.
The Chairperson of the PCS Board of Directors, TJ Imrur Remengesau, the Ambassador of France, Her Excellency Marie Fontanel and the Ambassador of Australia, His Excellency Toby Sharpe, addressed the gathering and spoke on the value of partnership and collaboration. Active across all 10 states of Babeldaob, the project is a testament to what is possible when traditional knowledge, scientific innovation, and grassroots-action converge. Chairman Remengesau stated, “this partnership ensures that support from Kiwa flows to where it matters most – into states and villages that are designing and leading their own Nature-based Solutions.
” In close partnership with the Governors Association and state governments, the initiative reflects a powerful alliance between Pacific Island nations and like-minded global partners working together to shape a sustainable and resilient future for the region. Ambassador Fontanel thanked the leaders of Palau for having the “vision for climate change resilience…you are the one acting on the ground and we know we can rely on you as a partner.” Ambassador Sharpe followed by emphasizing that climate change is one of the greatest challenge we face as a pacific family and that Australia is ready to partner together through the Kiwa Initiative as well as other initiatives “to do what we can as a partner on the ground to ensure that Palau is best able to face these challenge.”
The Kiwa Initiative – Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Resilience aims to build the resilience of Pacific Island ecosystems, communities, and economies to climate change through NbS by protecting, sustainably managing and restoring biodiversity. It is based on simplified access to funding for climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation actions for local and national governments, civil society, and regional organizations in Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The Initiative is funded by the European Union, Agence française de développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). It has established partnerships with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the Oceania Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN – ORO). For more information, visit https://kiwainitiative.org/en/.