March 13, 2025
MOU strengthens Palau’s Blue Prosperity Plan by advancing marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, conservation finance, and resilient local economies.
TOKYO (March 12, 2025) – Today, at the World Ocean Summit, the Republic of Palau and Conservation International renewed their partnership to support Palau’s efforts in building a resilient island economy based on marine conservation and sustainable fisheries. This partnership reinforces Palau’s global leadership in ocean stewardship and blue economic development.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) builds on a collaboration first established in 2021 and aligns with Palau’s national vision, “A Kot a Rechad er Belau” (Palauan People First), that focuses on ensuring conservation efforts benefit Palauan communities. Rooted in the Palau Blue Prosperity Plan, which integrates environmental protection with sustainable economic growth, the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which extends through 2029, emphasizes the enhancement of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, the sustainability and onshore benefits of domestic fisheries, and more.
“Palau did not start out to be a world leader in marine management. Our efforts as a people started centuries ago with the understanding that healthy ecosystems on land and in the water meant more resources for us,” said President Surangel. S. Whipps, Jr. “It was a matter of survival. And that is truer today more than any other time in our history. But this is not something we can do alone. This is why we appreciate partners like Conservation International. This renewed partnership with Conservation International strengthens our ability to protect our resources, secure our economy, and pass a thriving ocean on to future generations. More than that, it shows the world what can be achieved when we work together.”
The MOU aims to enhance the sustainable management of Palau’s fisheries by implementing supportive policy, infrastructure, and finance measures that support Palauan farmers, fishers, and technical specialists. This includes strengthening sustainable production practices and providing direct support to the Palauan workforce.
The agreement also seeks to advance world-leading marine protection and adaptive management strategies to safeguard critical ecosystems while increasing economic benefits for Palauan communities.
"Palau continues to show the world that conservation and economic resilience go hand in hand," said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. "By renewing this partnership, we reaffirm our shared vision for a healthy, productive ocean that sustains both people and nature and build upon of two decades of work in Palau. Conservation International remains deeply committed to supporting Palau in achieving its goals under the Blue Prosperity Plan."
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About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Visit Conservation.org for more, and follow us on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
About the Republic of Palau: The Republic of Palau, an archipelago in the western Pacific, comprises about 340 islands and is home to approximately 18,000 people. Since gaining independence in 1994, Palau has conducted its own foreign relations and emerged as a global leader in environmental stewardship. Its conservation policies balance ecological preservation with economic growth, particularly through tourism—a cornerstone of its economy. Known for its rich biodiversity, Palau hosts over 1,200 plant species and boasts the largest continuous native forest in Micronesia. The traditional environmental management practice called ‘bul’ led to more modern efforts like the Palau Protected Areas Network, the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, and Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity, which was introduced at COP28 in Dubai in 2023. Palau was also the first nation to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty in 2024 and launched a new Alliance of Countries Calling for a Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon. Its pristine marine ecosystems and innovative environmental policies have made it a model for sustainable resource management. These efforts balance ecological preservation with economic development, particularly through tourism, which is a cornerstone of Palau’s economy.