Micronesia Challenge: 30, 20, One Micronesia

Micronesia is a collection of small islands, but its footprint spans almost 5 percent of the entire Pacific Ocean. This diverse and vibrant place supports the livelihoods of 650,000 people, 12 languages, more than 480 coral species and over 1,300 reef fish species.

In 2006, Micronesia leaders made a big, bold commitment to care for nature by declaring the Micronesia Challenge to effectively conserve at least 30 percent of the near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by the year 2020.

The Micronesia Challenge is a network of people, governments, islands, seas and forests and includes: the four island states of The Federated State of Micronesia (FSM), Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae; The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI); The Republic of Palau; and the two U.S.-affiliated islands, The Territory of Guam and The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Each place has its own unique natural assets and organizational challenges, which is why projects are tailored to best meet the needs of each local community.

Since its inception, the Micronesia Challenge has achieved great success in protecting land and sea for people and nature, and it has inspired other nations to take similar action. Practitioners of the network coordinate and share best practices for conservation, management and empowerment to increase financial and technical resources for conservation, develop capacity for effective resource management, and, most importantly, implement conservation and management actions on the ground with communities.

In partnership with local communities, other NGOs, governments and donors, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has advanced the Micronesia Challenge through investments and by using a participatory approach guided by science to:

• develop community management plans,
• establish protected areas,
• improve fisheries,
• leverage funding opportunities,
• build capacity,
• introduce innovative conservation finances, and
• facilitate bringing people together to care for their islands and work at the regional level to confront global threats such as climate change.

Micronesia Challenge 2030

Now that 2020 has arrived, Micronesians have reflected on what’s been accomplished and have set goals for the next 10 years of innovative conservation. While significant headway has been made, there is still much more to do. The threats from unsustainable development, pollution, overharvesting and climate change are rapidly increasing, and changing lifestyles are affecting people’s values and connection to nature.

Micronesian leaders have set a vision for 2030 that Micronesian communities are resilient and thriving, benefitting equitably from healthy, well-managed ecosystems and have better access to food and water.

Leaders have committed to the Micronesia Challenge 2030 goal for effective management that will increase from 30 to 50 percent of marine resources and from 20 to 30 percent of terrestrial resources across Micronesia. Additional goals include:

• increase livelihoods from sustainably managed natural resources,
• reduce the risks from climate impacts,
• reduce invasive species and increase restoration of habitats,
• incorporate fisheries management approaches that are integrated with marine protected areas,
• increase investments and leverage additional finances, and
• fully resource the Micronesia Challenge management team and steering committee.

TNC is working to articulate a cohesive 10-year plan and approach to achieve the goals for community-based conservation. The plan aims to bring new tools, thinking and approaches to our planning approaches, including systems thinking, market-based solutions and gender equity. The plan will ensure conservation is led by Micronesians and benefits people, and it leads to innovative policies and solutions that address conservation and community development challenges. The next phase of the Micronesia Challenge is already underway, and we are optimistic about future results and outcomes.

Highlighted Accomplishments