8 March 2013: At recent meetings, the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) Steering Committee discussed strategies for achieving GLISPA’s goals for 2013, including combating invasive species, stimulating “blue-green” economic growth and accomplishing debt-for-adaptation swaps to finance ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) activities, while the Micronesia Challenge discussed its second phase.

The Steering Committee met from 18-21 February 2013, followed by a meeting on the Micronesia Challenge, on 22 February. The meetings, both held in Washington DC, US, discussed the strategic direction and next phase of the respective initiatives.

The GLISPA Steering Committee also discussed finance for GLISPA’s core functions. The Governments of Palau and the Seychelles each committed US$10,000 per year for three years, and conservation organization Rare offered finance and office space.

The second meeting discussed Phase 2 of the Micronesia Challenge (MC), which is a commitment by Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Marshall Islands, the Northern Marianas Islands and Palau to conserve at least 30% of near-shore marine resources and 20% of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.

Phase 2 of the Challenge will focus on sustainable finance, specifically increasing the current endowment of US$12 million to US$58 million. The Micronesia Conservation Trust, which manages the MC endowment, is preparing for Phase 2 by publishing its business plan, setting up an online donation system, increasing circulation of the “One Micronesia” email newsletter, and increasing awareness through Rare Conservation social marketing campaigns. [Micronesia Challenge Website] [Micronesia Conservation Trust Website] [GLISPA Website] [IISD RS Sources]