The Micronesia Challenge is a globally relevant example of what can be achieved by setting ambitious, long-term goals supported by strong partnerships for significant impact!
- This early commitment from some of the world's smallest island countries is a model to implement the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
- In 2006 the leaders came together and committed to effectively conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine resources and 20% of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.
Since then, the Micronesia Challenge has leveraged $82 million for conservation efforts!
- Including approximately USD 20 million to a regional Micronesia Challenge endowment
- Placed more than 70 areas under conservation across all jurisdictions.
- Improved science-to-management decision making:
- 20 new fisheries management policies enacted based on marine data
- Terrestrial conservation management improved and landowner benefits better communicated through development of an innovative model.
- Support for conservation efforts increased in the majority of sites.
- Monitoring protocols and region-wide databases have been standardized through creation of three Measures Groups (marine, terrestrial, and socioeconomic).
- Capacity development efforts doubled the capacity and the speed of progress toward the goals of the MC. 300 trainings contributed to effective conservation with 3,000 participants trained, 72 management plans or climate adaptation plans developed, 65 socio-economic assessments completed.
- Support for 96 college certificates, degrees, and internships for youth and staff due to programs such as the MC Young Champion Internship, Bill Raynor MC Scholarship and APIC-Sophia University Scholarships.
- Inspired similar regional island commitments including the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, Aloha+ Challenge and Coral Triangle Initiative
What’s next? Defining the next decade of Micronesian sustainability leadership.
- In 2020, the countries and territories will announce the Micronesia Challenge Plus to 2030 defining the next decade of Micronesian sustainability leadership. This will be announced via a series of events in late 2020 to build awareness and profile of the Micronesia Challenge and beyond including at the Our Ocean Conference hosted by Palau in December 2020.
- Micronesia will be spearheading continued impact to 2030 through strong political leadership toward ambitious 2030 goals. Continued success will be supported by community-based implementation, partnership and regional coordination and good governance.
- A comprehensive Evaluation of the Micronesia Challenge has been completed to inform the Micronesia Challenge Plus.
