The Micronesia Challenge

The Commitment

The Micronesia Challenge is a commitment by the Chief Executives of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the U.S. Territory of Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to:

Covering 6.7 million square kilometers of ocean, the Micronesia Challenge represents more than 20% of the Pacific Island region - and 5% of the largest ocean in the world.  The Challenge will help protect at least 66 currently identified threatened species, 10% of the global total reef area and 462 coral species - that is 59% of all known corals.

Country Implementation

Each country selects the best method(s) to fulfill the commitment of the Micronesia Challenge within their respective jurisdiction.  For Palau, the Protected Areas Network is the implementation body to ensure that Palau meets the goals of the Challenge. 

The Republic of Palau, with the generous assistance of The Nature Conservancy, developed a comprehensive Protected Areas Network (PAN) framework to serve as the foundation for Palau's natural resources conservation and sustainable development efforts. 

The PAN was developed in close partnership with local communities, non-government organizations, and State and national government agencies.  This work has resulted in the passage of a comprehensive PAN law as well as the identification of appropriate funding levels to effectively implement the PAN.    

For more information or to support Palau's efforts, please download the Micronesia Challenge Information Brochure (Palau).