WASHINGTON (Department of Interior Press Release) – Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, today announced $1,209,666 in fiscal year 2019 Technical AssistanceProgram (TAP) grant support for the benefit of the Republic of Palau. “Secretary David Bernhardt and I are pleased to provide funding assistance that will help Palau better assess health needs, improve collaboration among law enforcement and public safety

Koror- Discussions on the United States military presence in the Pacific is high on the agenda of the historic meeting today between President Donald Trump and three presidents of tiny Pacific island-nations of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Presidents of the freely associated states (FAS) in the Western Pacific: President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr, of the Republic of Palau; President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marsh

Koror- The United States should step up to China’s expanding economic and political influence in the Pacific, President Tommy Remengesau Jr. said ahead of his historic meeting with President Donald Trump next week. President Remengesau, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Hilda C. Heine, and President of the Federated States of Micronesia David W. Panuelo are scheduled to meet President Trump at the White House on May 21, 2019. Asked on issues he wanted to disc

Suva – Of all the regions of the world, the Pacific requires the largest investment per person in infrastructure. But the cost is high, especially as the region is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters. Fiji Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service, and Communications Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum this week said the cost of infrastructure is a challenge to the Pacific, even for more developed countries such as Fiji. Despite contributing a small fraction of the p

Suva- Climate change issues are high on the agenda at this week's Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) where finance leaders are shaping a new climate fund to strengthen current structures of vulnerable nations impacted by global warming. The Forum Economic Ministers from Fiji, PNG, Palau, FSM, RMI, Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands,Nauru, Kiribati,, New Caledonia,Samoa. photo by Lisa Williams-Lahari David Adeang, Nauru Minister for Finance chair of the

Suva- China is an important economic partner in the Pacific and would be most welcome to contribute in the Pacific Island Forum countries, according to Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor. In the past decade Beijing has boosted its presence in the region and for Dame Meg, this should not be seen as a barrier against other Pacific allies. Six Pacific countries maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan – Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. Pa

Suva- Pacific island nations are gearing up for the establishment of a “homegrown” regional initiative that will provide financing options for resilient infrastructure in response to the impacts of climate change. Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor told reporters ahead of the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM), that Pacific ministers will decide on the fund - to be known as the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF). Climate change can unleash lands