20 April 2011: The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has announced that the Micronesian leaders that form the Micronesia Regional Invasive Species Council (RISC) have agreed to develop a five-year strategic plan on addressing invasive species.

RISC agreed to five goals for the 2012-2016 Plan, including: public awareness; communication and cooperation; working closely with the Micronesia Chief Executives; human and financial resources; and harmonisation of regional biosecurity measures.

RISC includes members from Palau, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia (including Yap, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Chuuk). RISC is the advisory body on invasive species to the Micronesia Chief Executives, which is the highest political body in Micronesia.

According to SPREP invasive species are the leading cause of biodiversity loss in island countries. However, the cost for eradicating invasive species often exceeds the national budget of many island countries. [SPREP Press Release]