Kolonia, Pohnpei, FSM, 2 June 2026. The WCPFC Secretariat was pleased to receive a courtesy visit from Professor Mikiyasu Nakayama of the University of Tokyo and the Global Infrastructure Fund, Foundation Japan, together with Ms. Akiko Sakamoto, Secretary General of the Global Infrastructure Fund, Foundation Japan. The delegation met with Ms. Rhea Moss-Christian, Executive Director of the WCPFC Secretariat, at the Secretariat offices in Pohnpei.
The visit served as a preliminary engagement ahead of a future educational visit by students from the University of Tokyo to the WCPFC Secretariat, currently planned for the second quarter of 2027. The discussion provided an opportunity to introduce the Commission’s work and explore areas of mutual interest in advance of the students’ visit.
During the visit, Ms. Elaine Garvilles, Assistant Science Manager, delivered a presentation on the work of the Commission, including updates on the Commission's efforts to incorporate climate change considerations into its fisheries management framework. The presentation also covered the Commission's progress on the development of harvest strategies.
The Executive Director also provided an overview of Japan’s engagement and longstanding contribution to the work of the Commission, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration in support of sustainable tuna fisheries management in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
The Secretariat appreciated the opportunity to exchange views with the visiting delegation and to strengthen dialogue on issues of mutual interest, including climate change, fisheries governance, and regional cooperation.