(BASED ON A DOI PRESS RELEASE) — An estimated 500 attendees heard from Nikolao Pula, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, before being addressed by distinguished leaders of each of the island delegations.

Speaking Monday were President Manny Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia and Governors Felix Camacho of Guam and Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa at the opening of the 2009 Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Conference on Business Opportunities in the Pacific Islands.

During the three day event, speakers detailed the benefits and incentives for doing business in their jurisdiction.

All warmly invited business partners and investors to their islands, and expressed a common optimism for the growth potential of the islands and the success of the conference in creating networking opportunities.

In addition, attendees heard from a number of guest speakers on issues related to the three primary tracks of the conference:

•    Dr. Richard Kelley, Chairman of Outrigger Enterprises, who spoke powerfully about the importance of tourism in generating jobs and revenue for island economies, while walking through his own career and upbringing in the islands.

•    Lt. General Chip Gregson, former Commander of the Marine Forces Pacific, followed by discussing the strategic and security implications of developing energy independence and alternative energy independence in the islands, particularly in Guam with the upcoming military realignment of 8,000 Marines and their families from Okinawa.

•    Dr. Stephen Schneider, a climatologist from Stanford University and joint recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, underscored General Gregson’s comments by presenting scientific evidence of the threat of global warming, its potential effects on island jurisdictions, and the pressing need for finding solutions now.

Hawaii Lt. Governor James “Duke” Aiona delivered the keynote address at the conference’s luncheon and spoke about Hawaii’s successful alternative energy projects as models for other islands to follow.

Following in the spirit of the day’s earlier speakers, Aiona concluded by noting, “As isolated islands, clean energy future is no longer simply a desire of environmentalists. It is a necessity for our long-term economic survival.”

Breakout sessions featuring the three primary tracks were led by panels of private and public sector experts. Each track was comprised of three or four different panel discussions, allowing time for questions and answers and also for quick networking during the breaks between sessions.

Tuesday’ s sessions allowed conference attendees to learn more about doing business in the islands and the opportunities that exist in these jurisdictions before the conference culminated with a day of business-to-business meetings on Wednesday, April 8.

Attendees had the opportunity to develop their networks, while learning about the growing business sectors and investment opportunities in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.