The Australian Government has today announced
$60,000 USD in an initial round of financial support for a landmark
eco-tourism initiative to support the sustainability of the Pacific
Island nation of Palau. The small island nation with a population of
20,000 is seeking to overcome the negative impacts on its environment
from the 160,000 tourists that visit annually and encourage visitors to
think about their impact on the environment, globally.
The financial commitment will go towards furthering the efforts of the Palau Pledge, a world-first program, launched in December last year by Host/Havas,
which has seen the country redesign its immigration policy and landing
procedures to encourage visitors to become more
environmentally-conscious while they travel.
The Palau Pledge,
which nabbed one of three Black Pencils at this year's D&AD Awards, involves all visitors to Palau being asked to sign a personal
promise to Palau's children, stamped in their passports at immigration
to protect and preserve Palau for future generations. The content of the
Pledge was written with the help of Palau's children, and developed in
collaboration with Palau's Government.
The Pledge positively
reinforces Palau's environmental laws and traditions and its conditions
are enforced throughout the country. Visitors who ignore the promise may
be subject to penalties, including fines for offenses committed.
Australia's
minister for foreign affairs, Julie Bishop, minister for international
development and the Pacific, senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, senator
Penny Wong and senator Claire Moore today visited Palau to see the
difference the Pledge is making first hand in preserving Palau's
pristine environment and ancient culture. Bishop announced details of
the grant provided by the Australian Government, which further
strengthens the country's ties with Palau.
Following the success
of the Pledge since its launch late last year, Bishop announced the
Australian Government is investing an initial $60,000 USD to support the
next phase of its implementation in the country. The grant will go
towards funding the new Pledge Business Accreditation Program that will
engage Palau's private sector to help further the reach of the Palau
Pledge in the community, engaging visitors in a positive way and
communicating the aims of the Pledge. It will also help them ensure
compliance with Palau's strict environmental laws and customs.
Says
Bishop: "I am delighted to confirm that the Australian Government is
supporting the Palau Pledge initiative to help preserve the beautiful
and pristine natural environment of Palau for future generations. This
work is an example of how Australian and North Pacific nations can
collaborate to maintain a peaceful, prosperous and stable region."
The
Palau Pledge is rooted in Palau's traditional practice of environmental
stewardship and was created by Host/Havas, in partnership with the
Palau Legacy Project, a local group that works alongside Palau's
government to help communicate Palau's conservation message. Despite its
status as the world's 13thcsmallest country, Palau's tourist numbers
have rapidly increased in recent years due to its extraordinary array of
unique natural wonders and remarkable landscape.
The Australian
Government's investment in the Pledge also enables The Palau Legacy
Project team to continue to work with the grassroots conservation
community and marine research organizations based in Palau, to help
ensure greater understanding of the initiative and longer-term success
of the Pledge, with a hope that it will also be a trailblazing program
to be rolled out in other countries around the world.
Says Tommy
E. Remengesau Jr, president of Palau: "We are grateful for the support
from the Australian Government and Host/Havas which will make a
significant difference in furthering the messages and aims of the Palau
Pledge. Preserving our natural world is an important part of Palauan
culture and The Palau Pledge is a truly innovative approach that brings
to life our traditional wisdom in a way that our visitors can
understand. This investment provides us with a strong foundation to
build on the success of the Palau Pledge and engage our private sector
in a long-term partnership to preserve our environment for future
generations. The Palau Pledge has already made an immediate impact on
visitors and the citizens of Palau, encouraging greater awareness of the
responsibility we have to our children and our children's children."
The
Palau Pledge has also been backed by a number of global figures
including Leonardo DiCaprio, HRH Queen Noor of Jordan, Richard Branson,
political influencers such as Secretary John Kerry and conservation
luminary Dr Sylvia Earle. For more information about the Palau Pledge,
visit
palaupledge.com.