On December 1st, Palau officially introduced its Resilience strategy titled “BOUNCE BACK BETTER: A Resilient Rock Islands Southern Lagoon and people.”

Tara Scarborough ‘’It is an honour to have been a part of this momentous occasion, and I extend my formal congratulations to the entire team in Palau for their dedicated efforts in crafting such an impactful strategy. I wish you all the best in the implementation phase and continued success ahead.’’

The resilience strategy is the result of over two years of dedicated effort and collaboration at every level of the Koror State Government, as well as with partners and community groups.

The collaborative effort to develop the resilience strategy for the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (RISL) reflects the community’s commitment to safeguarding this cherished cultural and natural heritage. The RISL holds profound significance as ‘chelebacheb’, embodying Palauan’s respect for the land and the ocean. The strategy, informed by the wisdom of their elders and scientific partners, acknowledges the changing climate and the escalating challenges faced by their community. Rising temperatures, sea-level increases, coral bleaching, and threats to livelihoods necessitate a blend of traditional and scientific knowledge for adaptation and resilience building. Recognizing the global nature of these challenges, the importance of united efforts with partners to address these issues is highly emphasized.

Resilient Reefs, launched by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, is a joint effort involving UNESCO, The Nature Conservancy‘s Reef Resilience Network, Columbia University‘s Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Resilient Cities Catalyst, and AECOM. The BHP Foundation provides funding for this program.

Pictures by: The Nature Conservancy’s Reef Resilience Network and PICRC- All rights reserved.