With two representatives each from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, each of the four FSM states, and the Marshall Islands, the council exists to safeguard the natural, cultural, and economic resources of the Micronesian islands from the introduction and continued spread of invasive species.

Some of RISC’s milestones so far in 2024 that Quitugua highlighted are:

• The passage of Executive Order 23-09 in the FSM with measures to prevent the introduction of the coconut rhinoceros beetle
• Two interceptions by the Guam Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Detector Dog Unit and a brown tree snake interception by the USDA APHIS Canine Team on outbound cargo
• Completion of the Biosecurity Plan for the NMI
• Refurbishment of the FSM’s Port Biosecurity Facilities
• Completion of an Early Detection Rapid Response framework and inter-island biosecurity plan for Palau
• Production of “Invasive Alien Species” video in the FSM with translations in four languages

Quitugua also shared the council’s requests of the Micronesian island leaders, including the filling data gaps in invasive species tracking and funding a permanent RISC coordinator. Additionally, the council penned a letter from the Micronesian Islands Forum leaders to U.S. President Joseph Biden that all the leaders signed at the close of the forum. The letter requests funding for environmental assessments associated with the military buildup and support in encouraging the regional Land Grant colleges to participate in their state invasive species councils and a multi-state coconut rhino beetle project.

Next steps for the council include updating the Regional Biosecurity Plan, finalizing measures for the Micronesia Challenge Terrestrial Invasive Species Management Plans, and pursuing funding to plan the next phase of regional biosecurity workshops.