Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Micronesia Challenge Endowment Receives $500,000.00 from The Nature Conservancy

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): November 25, 2010 - In a small gathering at the China Star Hotel in Pohnpei, Mr. Bill Raynor, The Nature Conservancy's Asia-Pacific Regional Marine Program Director, officially transferred a check of $500,000.00 in support of the Micronesia Challenge to Vice President Alik Alik and Congressman Roger Mori.

During the event, representatives from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) met with FSM Vice President Alik Alik, FSM Senator Roger Mori, FSM Senator Peter Sitan, Pohnpei Governor John Ehsa and FSM Secretary of the Department of Resource and Development, Marion Henry, to officially transfer its initial contribution of $500,000.00 into the Micronesia Challenge Endowment in support of the Micronesia Challenge. This initial transfer represents 50% of TNC's $1 million financial commitment to supporting the advancement of the Micronesia Challenge in the FSM made in 2006 at the Eighth Meeting of the Council of the Parties of the Convention on Biodiversity in Curitiba, Brazil.

Mr. Raynor noted that the transfer was made in consideration of tremendous work by FSM both domestically and internationally to advance the Micronesia Challenge. The transfer also recognizes a Memorandum of Understanding signed between FSM and The Nature Conservancy which provides an extension of 18 months to an initial agreement which was made during the launching of the Micronesia Challenge.

The Micronesia Challenge is a regional inter-governmental initiative between Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands, and the U.S. territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. The goal of the Micronesia Challenge is to conserve and effectively manage 30% of near shore marine resources and 20% of terrestrial resources by the year 2020.These nations and territories represent nearly 5 percent of the marine area of the Pacific Ocean and 7 percent of its coastlines. As a result of the Micronesia Challenge declaration by the five Micronesia government jurisdictions, the Micronesia Conservation Trust has been selected to house and administer the MC endowment.

With the initial contribution from TNC to the FSM, the MC endowment now will have a balance of $8.2M. During the brief meeting, all three parties expressed their desire to continue their effort as partners to seek both internal and international funding support of the Micronesia Challenge.

Representatives from TNC included, Mr. Bill Raynor, Marine Director of Asia Pacific Region and Mr. Ricky Carl, Deputy Director-External Affairs/Micronesia. Mr. Kasio Mida Jr, Ms. Denise Adams, Mr. Willy Kostka and Mr. Isao Frank Jr. represented the Micronesia Conservation Trust.