Young Pacific Leader Kenley Rudimch-Kenneth shares his insights at the Tiaki Moana Workshop in Mo'orea.
By Michelle Curran
Strategic Communications, Pasifika TV
Surrounded by “ocean protectors” all doing their bit to ensure the health and prosperity of Te Moana Nui, has left Kenley Rudimch-Kenneth feeling inspired to ensure Micronesia is represented at the decision-making table.
The 25-year-old from the Republic of Palau says meeting the 43 other Young Pacific Leaders from 22 Pacific countries, who attended the recent Tiaki Moana Summit and Workshop in Pōrīnetia Farāni, was both intimidating and inspirational due to the exceptional work the individuals do on a daily basis.
Kenley himself is no stranger to impactful leadership.
A former Fellow of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), he has previously served as Assistant Ocean and Climate Adviser at Palau’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
In these roles, he represented Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the global stage, advocating for ocean health—an issue close to his heart.
“As someone from Palau, my connection to the ocean is deep and personal,” Kenley shares.
“It is the foundation of my lifelong commitment to marine resource management and ocean protection.”
His approach integrates local knowledge, modern science, and policy advocacy to address critical challenges and strengthen the resilience of island communities.
During the summit’s three-day workshop in Mo’orea, Kenley introduced two powerful Palauan sayings that reflect his cultural worldview.
The first, “a mesei a delal a telid”, highlights the importance of the taro patch and translates to “the land is our mother.”
The second, “a daob a demad”, speaks of “the ocean as our father.”
“It was a privilege to hear how other Pacific cultures care for our mother and father,” he says.
“I’m excited to take the best practices I’ve learned here back home and weave them into my own work.”
A key takeaway for Kenley was the need for stronger Micronesian representation in regional ocean discourse.
“Together with my Micronesian brothers and sisters, we can share how we manage our ocean spaces and connect with the other Nesias, Melanesia and Polynesia, to bridge gaps in representation, especially in policy dialogue and advocacy,” he says.
“This week has expanded my network of ocean allies across the region.
“I now know who to reach out to—whether it is for governance ideas or collaboration with the private sector.”
Kenley also stresses the importance of youth involvement in ocean policy, beyond slogans and advocacy.
“Young people can raise signs that say, ‘protect our oceans,’ but we also need the youth to play a role in shaping clear, actionable policies and getting involved in government,” he says.
“We need more young leaders stepping into those spaces.”
It is anticipated selected YPL participants will travel to UNOC3 in France, to present preliminary outcomes from Tiaki Moana.
Visit the Tiaki Moana website for more information on the summit and the Young Pacific Leaders website for more details on the US Department of State initiative.
