Environmental sustainability focus of upcoming confab

In anticipation of the 29th Pacific Island Environment Conference in June, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is encouraging more of the community to engage in dialogue for environmental issues affecting the Pacific region and learn about ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development.

According to Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality administrator Frank Rabauliman, every other year, local environmental agencies of CNMI, Guam and American Samoa sponsor an environment conference to discuss and share the latest on various environmental issues in the region. 

“As a small community, we are susceptible to natural disasters and must make changes to our infrastructure. With increased development and climate changes, public participation in environmental is important. Our region presents unique environmental challenges especially when we must balance supporting an island economy and preserving natural resources for the next generation,” Torres said.

Registration is available online and now open at https://goo.gl/9dZkEk. The conference will be held on Saipan at the Saipan World Resort on June 13, 14 and 15.

The goal of the 29th conference is to engage the attendees with environmental issues and continue the dialogue in sustaining our environment while encouraging development to support our island economy with each day bringing focus to climate change impacts, sustainable development and public health risks.

“The theme of this year’s conference is ‘A Sustainable Pacific: Preparing for Change, Voyaging with Knowledge.’ The conference agenda will focus on climate change and island resilience, approaches to sustainable development, and the connections between public health and the environment. The conference will feature distinguished professionals from the U.S. mainland and Pacific region and will be an excellent opportunity for the community to learn from experts on environmental management in other jurisdictions,” Rabauliman said.

Attendees include participants from local governments, elected officials, non-profit and community-based organizations, private sector representatives, professional and university researchers, and others who have a role to play in Pacific Island environmental issues.

For more information, log on to www.deq.gov.mp or www.crm.gov.mp. (PR)