WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will offer opening remarks tomorrow at a panel discussion on climate change impacts facing three Pacific island nations freely associated with the United States. Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia'aina and Interior's Office of Insular Affairs are hosting the dialogue.
The panel discussion will include remarks from the Ambassadors of the Freely Associated States which include the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. These Pacific island Nations have had close historical ties with the United States dating back to World War II and their current relationships with the U.S. are enshrined in Compacts of Free Association.
“There's no doubt that these Pacific Islands are on the front lines of climate change,” said Secretary Jewell. “This forum is designed to help build public awareness and strengthen the partnerships needed to support these nations as they work to adapt and build resilience against the impacts of a changing climate.”
“Climate change is a global issue, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Freely Associated States,” said Assistant Secretary Kia'aina. “This panel gives the Ambassadors of these Pacific nations a platform to describe the impacts their islands are already experiencing and discuss ways and means to work collaboratively with the United States to help prepare for and adapt to these changes.”
The forum will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 at 1:15 p.m. ET in the South Interior Building Auditorium. News media representatives and other interested parties are welcomed to attend. Interviews with the participants may be facilitated.
WHO:
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell
Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther P. Kia'aina
His Excellency Hersey Kyota, Ambassador, Republic of Palau
His Excellency Asterio R. Takesy, Ambassador, Federated States of Micronesia
His Excellency Charles Paul, Ambassador, Republic of the Marshall Islands
WHAT:
The Impact of Climate Change in the Freely Associated States of Micronesia in the Western Pacific
WHEN:
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 at 1:15 p.m. ET
WHERE:
South Interior Building Auditorium
1951 Constitution Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
MEDIA:
Media wishing to participate are asked to RSVP to Tanya_Joshua@ios.doi.gov
WEBCAST:
Media unable to attend can view the forum online at www.doi.gov/events
The Department of the Interior is responsible for coordinating federal policy with respect to the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and administering and overseeing U.S. federal assistance provided to the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau under the Compacts of Free Association. The Office of Insular Affairs mission is to foster economic opportunities, promote government efficiency, and improve the quality of life for the people of the insular areas.
Source: Department of Interior
