KOROR (Palau Horizon) — Palau’s Environmental Quality Protection Board will get $25,000 for the preparation of the 21st Annual Pacific Islands Environment Conference slated on June 24 to 28 this year.
EQPB Executive Director Marhence Madranchar said this year’s event will be different from the previous conferences.
According to Madranchar, this is the first time EQPB was given funds for the conference. He said the money was included in the agency’s budget for the fiscal year.
The first time Palau hosted a similar conference was in 1998, which was funded by the United States.
For this year’s conference, Palau has created a national body that would oversee the convention.
Madranchar said EQPB’s role in the preparation “is primarily to bring in people who could give the best messages to the public about protecting environment.”
The Ministry of Resources and Development was tasked to lead the preparation of the conference. EQPB is part of the national committee.
Palau is expecting over 200 dignitaries from other Pacific island countries to attend the annual event.
Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris had already confirmed his attendance as the keynote speaker.
