Opinion: 29 years of independence: Palau at a crossroads
Every year on the first of October, the U.S government marks the beginning of a new fiscal year, and so does the Palau government. But what appears to be a lost detail, yet historically significant, event marks the
U.S. groping for contingency plan amid expiration of COFA’s economic provisions
The U.S. economic provisions for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands under the Compacts of Free Association expired on 30 September without being renewed as the U.S. Congress continued to
Opinion: Government shutdown threatens key U.S. effort to counter China in Pacific
A looming government shutdown threatens to upend a major multibillion-dollar diplomatic initiative between the United States and three Pacific Island nations that the Biden administration views as a cornerstone of its
U.S. weighs stationing Patriot air defence systems in Palau
The U.S. and Palau are discussing the permanent deployment of advanced missile defense systems in the Pacific island nation, Palau President Surangel Whipps said part of Washington’s efforts to check China’s
FSM becomes first country to sign oceans treaty
The Federated States of Micronesia has signed a global treaty that aim to protect oceans that lie beyond national boundaries, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The new Biodiversity of Areas beyond
Opinion: U.S. claims to Central Pacific flout International law
In defiance of international norms and rules, U.S. officials are laying claim to the large oceanic area in the central Pacific Ocean that is home to the compact states. Now that they are renewing the economic provisions
Direct flights to boost MSG economies
More economic opportunities will open up for member countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group(MSG) following the introduction of direct flights connecting Port Moresby to Asian destinations, Vanuatu and New Caledonia,
Palau and PNG sign Air Service Agreement
Palau and Papua New Guinea governments signed a bilateral Air Service Agreement on Wednesday, 23 August, 2023. PNG Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Walter Schnaubelt, and Charles Obichang, Minister of Public
A new chapter for Pacific ocean governance
The new Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni says the support expressed for his office and appointment from Pacific Islands regional agencies, is good news for ocean governance, and for him personally. The
Palau Finance Minister welcomes audit of stablecoin project
Palau’s Minister of Finance Kaleb Udui Jr said he welcomes the audit by the Public Auditor of Palau’s stablecoin project as requested by the Senate. “We have nothing to hide. We have been working with
Q&A: U.S. considering security guarantees for three Pacific Island nations
U.S. Congress is reviewing a proposal from President Joe Biden to create new security guarantees for three Pacific Island states: the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. If Congress passes the Compacts of Free
Aimeliik Legislature calls for investigation of Rengulbai for alleged misconduct in office
The 12th Aimeliik State Legislature passed a resolution requesting Aimeliik Governor Browny Simer to investigate allegations of misconduct in office made against Aimeliik State Public Land Authority (AIMSPLA) Chairman
Inflation, interest rates cloud post-pandemic Pacific growth: World Bank
The resumption of tourism, higher public investment and construction have fuelled the Pacific region’s economic recovery from COVID-19 but a combination of persistently high imported inflation and interest rate hikes
How an ex-commando trainer from Singapore is changing tourism in the Pacific
While the superpowers and regional actors jostle for influence in the Pacific Ocean, Singapore and an ex-commando trainer may play a key role in changing the tourism landscape there. In September, the new Alii Palau
President Whipps: U.S. radar makes Palau a ‘target’
The U.S. military’s plan to install a warning radar in Palau makes the Pacific country a “target” for potential foreign aggressors, President Surangel Whipps Jr said, stressing that the risk must be worth it. And
Uludong denies claims on Palau media deal
The publisher of Palau’s Tia Belau newspaper has vehemently denied that a deal with Chinese investors was an “espionage plan… to take over Palau and the rest of the Pacific.” Responding to an article by the
U.S. proposes military training for young civilians in Pacific island countries
Washington is proposing to provide military training to young civilians in Pacific island countries amid growing geopolitical tension in the region. Developing “young civilian defence leaders” in the Pacific islands
Congress prodded to finalise Compact package for freely associated states
Defence officials and territorial delegates have pressed both houses of Congress to tie up the proposed new economic packages under the Compacts of Free Association, noting the freely associated states’ critical role
Opinion: Vital to protect pro-Israel UN votes from Pacific nations
It is no secret that Israel is disproportionately singled out at the United Nations. Last year, the General Assembly approved 15 anti-Israel resolutions. That was two more than all of the other resolutions criticising
Failed Palau Media Deal reveals inner workings of China’s Pacific influence effort
For years, Moses Uludong has been a lonely voice pushing the small, strategically located Pacific island nation of Palau towards closer relations with China, says the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
Palau president says U.S. ‘reactivating’ WWII airstrips in country
The president of Palau said the U.S. military is “reactivating” Palauan airstrips built by the Japanese during World War II, after being asked at a speaking event on Monday if America would have full access to his
Tourism recovery is going to be harder for Palau
Tourism recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic for Palau will be harder than before due to significant policy changes in some of Palau’s key tourism markets and a more competitive global tourism market. Director Kristy
Largest solar and storage project in western Pacific online in Palau
The largest solar and battery storage project in the Western Pacific has been installed in Palau, a 15.3 MW solar system combined with a 13.2 MWh battery. The US$29 million installation will meet more than 25% of the
Palau President Whipps supports Japan’s plan to release treated wastewater into Pacific Ocean
Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr is the first Pacific Island country leader to publicly express support for Japan’s plan to release treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific. After meeting with Japan’s
