Welcome to the First Pacific Ecological Security Conference
Ngarachamayong Cultural Center
Koror, Palau
3-5 October, 2022
Pacific leaders, development partners, delegates from Regional Organizations, and invasive species experts gathered at the First Pacific Ecological Security Conference this October in Palau. Photo credit: The Pacific Community
This October, the Government of Palau and partners hosted the first Pacific Ecological Security Conference on regional biosecurity. The PESC brought together island leaders, development partners, regional organizations, agricultural/food security and natural resource managers, and the media to discuss the importance of managing and preventing the spread of invasive species in Pacific Island environments.
PESC presentations, photos, outcomes, and resources are now available! Click here for access.
“Invasive species pose a national threat to our food systems and therefore require a national response across all sectors of the republic to ensure food security for our people.”
~Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau
Conference Themes
Ecological Sustainability
The threat of invasive species is a critical challenge to island societies. They threaten our unique and fragile island landscapes, biodiversity and habitats, even leading to species extinctions. The growing prevalence of invasive species is not just an environmental threat, however, but an economic one that jeopardizes our livelihoods and sustainable development agenda. Our Pacific environment is our economy, and failing to protect the former undermines the latter.
Food Security
Invasive species undermine Pacific agricultural practices and food security, including our ability to retain our cultural food traditions.
Resilience to Climate Change
Second only to climate change, no other issue so directly threatens Pacific Islands than invasive species. They weaken the resilience of our ecosystems to cope with the impacts of climate change, and our ability to adapt to a warming world.
Commitments
Strategic Action Plansdeveloped during the conference address threats and assess biological control needs for Pacific Islands, and identify necessary actions and commitments by governments and partners to implement them.
“Invasive species threaten our food systems through degradation, threatens our food security, economies, and our environment, so finding solutions should be a priority! 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.”
~ Steven Victor, Palau Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment
The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue.
The Global Environment Facility is the world’s largest funder of biodiversity protection, nature restoration, pollution reduction, and climate change response in developing countries.
The Nature Conservancybrings together real-world solutions, policy expertise, sustainable financing, and collaborative partnerships to tackle the dual threats of climate change and biodiversity loss around the world.
The United States the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carries out the Secretary’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
The United States Forest Service (USFS) is an agency of the US Department of Agriculture that administers the nation’s 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. The Forest Service manages 193 million acres (780,000 km2) of land.
The Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation promotes interdisciplinary research and policy dialogues for achieving a sustainable ocean in collaboration with various partners in Japan and overseas.
Working Groups
Vision
Working groups were established ahead of the conference to highlight the multi-disciplinary importance of invasive species issues, in relation to other highest-level important issues such as climate adaptation, natural resource resilience, food security, biodiversity, livelihoods, quality of life, and cultural resources – all of which are core components of long-term island sustainability. Raising the profile and understanding of invasive species to governments, NGOs, and funding agencies will enhance resourcing of Strategic Action Plans that address priority Pacific Island invasive species issues.
Goal
Strategic Action Plans developed by the working groups were completed and endorsed by Pacific Island national and other relevant experts. The Plans were not designed to create new or replace existing structures and efforts, but explore the full range of current efforts and identify successes and gaps, then determine how best to enhance existing or recommend new programs as necessary and efficient. The following working groups were identified for this conference:
Palau Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment – Minister Steven Victor
Secretariat of the Pacific Community -Director-General Stuart Minchin
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme – Director-General Sefanaia Nawadra
U.S. Office of Insular Affairs – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Keone Nakoa
Micronesia Conservation Trust – Executive Director Willy Kostka
East-West Center – President Suzanne Vares-Lum
Palau Community College Cooperative Research and Extension – Vice President Christopher Kitalong
The Nature Conservancy – Executive Director Micronesia and Polynesia Noah Idechong
Our Vision
Resilient and sustainable Pacific Island communities using climate information to manage risks and support practical decision-making about climate variability and change.
Welcome to the First Pacific Ecological Security Conference
Ngarachamayong Cultural Center
Koror, Palau
3-5 October, 2022
This October, the Government of Palau and partners hosted the first Pacific Ecological Security Conference on regional biosecurity. The PESC brought together island leaders, development partners, regional organizations, agricultural/food security and natural resource managers, and the media to discuss the importance of managing and preventing the spread of invasive species in Pacific Island environments.
PESC presentations, photos, outcomes, and resources are now available! Click here for access.
Conference Themes
Ecological Sustainability
The threat of invasive species is a critical challenge to island societies. They threaten our unique and fragile island landscapes, biodiversity and habitats, even leading to species extinctions. The growing prevalence of invasive species is not just an environmental threat, however, but an economic one that jeopardizes our livelihoods and sustainable development agenda. Our Pacific environment is our economy, and failing to protect the former undermines the latter.
Food Security
Invasive species undermine Pacific agricultural practices and food security, including our ability to retain our cultural food traditions.
Resilience to Climate Change
Second only to climate change, no other issue so directly threatens Pacific Islands than invasive species. They weaken the resilience of our ecosystems to cope with the impacts of climate change, and our ability to adapt to a warming world.
Commitments
Strategic Action Plans developed during the conference address threats and assess biological control needs for Pacific Islands, and identify necessary actions and commitments by governments and partners to implement them.
Conference Host & Sponsors
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) fosters sustainable Pacific Island development through science, knowledge, and innovation.
The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue.
The Nature Conservancy brings together real-world solutions, policy expertise, sustainable financing, and collaborative partnerships to tackle the dual threats of climate change and biodiversity loss around the world.
Working Groups
Vision
Working groups were established ahead of the conference to highlight the multi-disciplinary importance of invasive species issues, in relation to other highest-level important issues such as climate adaptation, natural resource resilience, food security, biodiversity, livelihoods, quality of life, and cultural resources – all of which are core components of long-term island sustainability. Raising the profile and understanding of invasive species to governments, NGOs, and funding agencies will enhance resourcing of Strategic Action Plans that address priority Pacific Island invasive species issues.
Goal
Strategic Action Plans developed by the working groups were completed and endorsed by Pacific Island national and other relevant experts. The Plans were not designed to create new or replace existing structures and efforts, but explore the full range of current efforts and identify successes and gaps, then determine how best to enhance existing or recommend new programs as necessary and efficient. The following working groups were identified for this conference:
Download the Strategic Action Plan for Invasive Ants
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
Download the Strategic Action Plan for CRB
Biocontrol Technology
Download the Strategic Action Plan for Biological Control
PESC Featured Speakers
Palau Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment – Minister Steven Victor
Secretariat of the Pacific Community -Director-General Stuart Minchin
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme – Director-General Sefanaia Nawadra
U.S. Office of Insular Affairs – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Keone Nakoa
Micronesia Conservation Trust – Executive Director Willy Kostka
East-West Center – President Suzanne Vares-Lum
Palau Community College Cooperative Research and Extension – Vice President Christopher Kitalong
The Nature Conservancy – Executive Director Micronesia and Polynesia Noah Idechong
Our Vision
Resilient and sustainable Pacific Island communities using climate information to manage risks and support practical decision-making about climate variability and change.
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