Island and Ocean Ecosystems
The Palau President HE Tommy Remengesau Jr announced a commitment of USD1.4 million as part of an expanded effort to respond to invasion by alien species. The commitment was made by the Honourable Vice-President Tony Bells on behalf of Mr Remengesau, at the 20th Summit of the Micronesian Chief Executives held at the Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia 6-7 June.
"President Remengesau has committed to allocate USD1.4 million of Palau's GEF6 Biodiversity funding to eradicating invasive species," says Vice President Bells.
"The President hopes that similar commitments from other countries will strengthen response to invasion by alien species," adds Bells.
Palau and other Pacific island countries continue to struggle against the harmful impacts of invasive species. The Micronesian leaders at their meeting heard about the threat to coconut palms by the coconut termite in Kosrae and the coconut rhinoceros beetle in Guam and Hawaii.
Yap State is putting in place a response plan in case the coconut rhinoceros beetle reaches its shores.
The little fire ant from South America is also harming people and blinding animals in Hawaii and Guam. And it is just a matter of time before it will affect other countries of the Pacific.
The Micronesia Regional Invasive Species Council chair, Roland Quitugua, welcomes the commitment by President Remengesau and urges countries and partners to use this as a catalyst to increase support for protecting island biodiversity and communities.
"This announcement is the biggest commitment by a Pacific leader to address an issue that is plaguing Micronesia and other regions," says Roland Quitugua.
"Invasive species affect all islands and all sectors. One country or one agency cannot do it alone. We need Micronesia and the wider-Pacific community to work together. President Remengesau's commitment is a strong first step, and hope that other leaders in the Pacific and our partners will support and make similar commitments," adds Mr Quitugua.
The upcoming meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to be held in Palau in July will see a special event to highlight the impacts of invasive species and some of the responses that the Pacific are putting in place.
The Regional Biosecurity Plan for Micronesia and Hawaii will be one of the regional responses that will be showcased.
The special event will also provide the opportunity for countries and partners to support the commitment made by the President of Palau to address this expanding threat.
"President Remengesau has committed to allocate USD1.4 million of Palau's GEF6 Biodiversity funding to eradicating invasive species," says Vice President Bells.
"The President hopes that similar commitments from other countries will strengthen response to invasion by alien species," adds Bells.
Vice-President of Palau, the Hon. Mr Tony Bells, with the Palau Invasive Species Coordinator, Dr Joel Miles.
Palau and other Pacific island countries continue to struggle against the harmful impacts of invasive species. The Micronesian leaders at their meeting heard about the threat to coconut palms by the coconut termite in Kosrae and the coconut rhinoceros beetle in Guam and Hawaii.
Yap State is putting in place a response plan in case the coconut rhinoceros beetle reaches its shores.
The little fire ant from South America is also harming people and blinding animals in Hawaii and Guam. And it is just a matter of time before it will affect other countries of the Pacific.
The Micronesia Regional Invasive Species Council chair, Roland Quitugua, welcomes the commitment by President Remengesau and urges countries and partners to use this as a catalyst to increase support for protecting island biodiversity and communities.
"This announcement is the biggest commitment by a Pacific leader to address an issue that is plaguing Micronesia and other regions," says Roland Quitugua.
"Invasive species affect all islands and all sectors. One country or one agency cannot do it alone. We need Micronesia and the wider-Pacific community to work together. President Remengesau's commitment is a strong first step, and hope that other leaders in the Pacific and our partners will support and make similar commitments," adds Mr Quitugua.
The upcoming meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to be held in Palau in July will see a special event to highlight the impacts of invasive species and some of the responses that the Pacific are putting in place.
The Regional Biosecurity Plan for Micronesia and Hawaii will be one of the regional responses that will be showcased.
The special event will also provide the opportunity for countries and partners to support the commitment made by the President of Palau to address this expanding threat.