(Young Pacific Leaders) Arantxa is a national program implementation manager in Palau’s Ministry of Finance, one year and three months into strengthening the systems and institutions that keep her nation resilient and secure.
Building resilient systems: With a background in public, non-profit, and business administration, Arantxa manages the UNEP CIS-Pac 5 program, enhancing information and knowledge services across five Pacific Island nations — work that spans meteorology, disaster preparedness, and resilience, strengthening the institutional foundations that protect Palau from a range of transnational threats.
Countering transnational crime through preparedness: Strong information systems and disaster preparedness aren’t just about weather — they’re about national resilience. By strengthening early warning systems, coordination with regional partners, and institutional capacity, Arantxa helps close the vulnerabilities that instability and poor governance can create, vulnerabilities that transnational criminal networks are often quick to exploit.
A foundation built for impact: Arantxa’s work touches project management, procurement, financial management, and coordination with national and regional partners — the behind-the-scenes systems that keep Palau’s institutions accountable, transparent, and secure. It’s a reminder that strengthening governance and financial oversight is itself a frontline defense against exploitation and illicit activity.