UDUCH SENGEBAU SENIOR, Vice-President and Minister for Justice of Palau, said this year, her country celebrates 30 years of independence.  Underscoring the critical role of women, she highlighted the first-ever “Meeting of Women in Elected Leadership”, held in Palau on 30 September 2023.  Over the past four years, Palau has undertaken initiatives that empower women in their traditional roles, enabling them to scale their entrepreneurial ventures and raise their profiles.  These efforts give women a pathway into entrepreneurship and business.  Noting that food security is central to Palau’s long-term resilience, she pointed to the national goal to reduce food imports from 80 per cent to 60 per cent by 2030.  “By promoting local food production, we not only preserve our traditions but also combat non-communicable diseases linked to overreliance on imported, processed foods,” she added.

As a small island developing State, Palau confronts unique challenges that threaten its economic development, environment and survival, she said, adding that these countries bear the brunt of the climate crisis.  Palau has experienced more intense storms, and landslides and prolonged droughts are becoming the new normal.  The ripple effects of global climate disasters have caused the cost of imported goods to skyrocket, further jeopardizing the country’s food security and economic stability.  “The global response to climate change is a matter of life and death,” she stated.  Sea-level rise is one of the most urgent challenges for small island developing States as they sit just a few meters above sea level, leaving them vulnerable to coastal erosion, flooding and storm surges.  “This is not only a present threat but an existential crisis for future generations,” she cautioned, spotlighting national steps to relocate critical infrastructure — including a hospital and schools — to protect people from rising waters and climate-related disasters.

Palau’s National Adaptation Plan prioritizes immediate and long-term actions to build resilience, focusing on protecting vital ecosystems and sustainable development.  Mitigation is equally important, she observed, noting her country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.  Solar, wind and ocean energy provide opportunities to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and secure a cleaner, more sustainable future.  As Co-Chair of the Ocean Panel, Palau plays a vital role in shaping global ocean governance, she said, citing the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, as “a pivotal moment” for accelerating ocean action.  Palau has also declared a national moratorium on deep-sea mining, reaffirming her country’s unwavering commitment to preserving marine ecosystems.