MC Steering Committee and Partners at the MCRO SAP retreat

MC Steering Committee and partners at the MCRO Strategic Action Planning retreat in Guam

In September 2023, led by the OCEA Consultancy team - Meghan Gombos, Mae Bruton-Adams, and Jourdyn Adams, the MC Steering Committee and regional stakeholders met in Guam for a three-day workshop to discuss the MCRO Strategic Action Plan and the MC Communications Plan. As one of the deliverables for the GEF-International Waters Project - Strengthening and Enabling The Micronesia Challenge 2030, these plans will help the MCRO coordinate the efforts towards achieving the MC2030 targets - effectively managing 50% of marine resources and 30% of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by the year 2030.

The workshop participants laid out the goals and activities for the MCRO for the next three years. These goals aligned with restructuring the MCRO Office in terms of sustainable financing and establishing a physical office space in Palau; establishing a consistent and efficient communications strategy; establishing the regional databases and dashboards for easy information sharing; and coordination efforts of existing MC measures leads and formation/integration of new measures in accordance with the new MC2030 targets.

In addition to the MCRO SAP, the MC Communications Plan was also presented to the MCSC and regional stakeholders. This included the new MC website, the importance of establishing the MC Brand and subsequent Guide, and the importance of social media in communicating the works of the MC across the region.

The workshop was a success and the participants were satisfied with the next steps for the MCRO and the MC.