Micronesia Challenge
Virtual Island Summit 2019
The Micronesia Challenge 2030 is a groundbreaking commitment by the leaders of the five jurisdictions of Micronesia - Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to:
To effectively manage 50% of marine resources and 30% of terrestrial resources by 2030 across Micronesia
Increase the number of community members within each jurisdiction who are deriving livelihoods from sustainably managed natural resources
Reduce the risks from climate impacts for communities within flood zones and on low-lying islands
Reduce invasive species and increase restoration of habitats
Incorporate regional and jurisdictional fisheries management approaches, integrated with MPAs
It was signed during the 24th Micronesian Island Forum held in Chuuk in July 2019 and is a platform to regionally connect locally-led action to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and spearhead action on sustainable livelihoods and climate change in Micronesia.
The 2030 commitment sets new ambitious targets that build on the 2006 Micronesia Challenge commitment to effectively conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine resources and 20% of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.
On the eve of Earth Day, the leaders of Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau celebrated fifteen years of progress and impact of the Micronesia Challenge and affirmed their commitment to the new Micronesia Challenge 2030 goals.
This vibrant virtual forum of over 250 attendees provided a platform for the Leaders to join with the Micronesian community and regional and global partners to build momentum toward the new Micronesia Challenge 2030 goals to effectively manage at least 50% of marine resources and 30% of terrestrial resources by 2030 across the region and to be a voice for sustainability and climate change. These new goals provide a platform to regionally connect locally-led action to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
This event was hosted in alignment with the Leaders Summit on Climate hosted by the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States of America. H.E. David Kabua, President of the Republic of Marshall Islands also joined the Summit and connected the Micronesia Challenge to Local2030 Island Network that is supported by the US.
The following is a summary of quotes that share the highlights from this Forum. The Forum used strengths-based and participatory approaches to create connection and energy through participants sharing their own stories of success.
Our Progress
When launched, the Micronesia Challenge was one of the world’s most ambitious conservation commitments. The progress and impact in its first 14 years has been significant with many jurisdictions having met the percentage area goal under some form of management for either marine or terrestrial:
Leveraged $82 million for conservation efforts including approximately $20 million to a regional Micronesia Challenge endowment
Increased conservation of near-shore marine resources and terrestrial resources across Micronesia with more than 70 new areas under conservation across all jurisdictions
Improved science-to-management decision-making
Communities leading in conservation-capacity development efforts doubled the capacity and the speed of progress to effective conservation
Increased interest and opportunities for youth
Inspired similar regional island commitments around the world including the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, Aloha+ Challenge, and Coral Triangle Initiative supported through the Global Island Partnership
Local conservation efforts were prioritized on the global stage and provided more significant benefits than if they were to have acted as a jurisdiction alone