PICRC and JICA Finalize Project Design for Coastal Ecosystem Management Project

The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) met last week to approve the project design for their joint coastal ecosystem management project. 

Senior Advisor Dr. Noriaki Sakaguchi and Special Advisor Reiko Iitsuka visited Palau from JICA Headquarters on a mission to discuss the project design with PICRC and other agencies. After the discussions, the project design was agreed to and finalized by JICA and PICRC. Dr. Yimnang Golbuu, CEO of PICRC and Dr. Sakaguchi signed the meeting minutes that captured the finalized project design during the last day of the mission to Palau 

The coastal ecosystem management project aims to increase the resilience of Palau’s coastal ecosystems to climate change and environmental threats. 

The finalized project design will guide the project’s implementation over the next three years. It consists of four key components: an integrated coastal ecosystem management system, mangrove monitoring and management, soil run-off and sedimentation monitoring and communication, education and public awareness programs.

“We’re grateful for JICA’s support in this project to enhance our environmental resilience in Palau” said Geraldine Rengiil, PICRC’s Research Director and the Project’s Manager. “Now that the project design is finalized, we’re looking forward to focusing on implementation.”

Overall, this work will contribute to the long-term sustainability of Palau’s communities, environment, and livelihoods in the face of future challenges.