Vice President Aren B. Palik Opens 43rd Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Officials Meeting in Chuuk

On March 18, 2024, the Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia attended the opening ceremony of the 43rd Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Officials Meeting to deliver the keynote remark.

The 43rd PNA Meeting convenes the Fisheries heads of PNA members* plus Tokelau. At this Officials meeting, technical matters relevant to the Vessel Day Scheme, FSM Arrangements, Palau Arrangements and PNAO governance are addressed. It is also noteworthy that in this meeting, the Chairmanship transferred from the Solomon Islands to the FSM.

In his remarks, Vice President Palik focused on the PNA members as custodians of our natural resources to ensure its sustainability for future generations. “ We [FSM leadership] are confident that with your stewardship, our tuna stocks will remain healthy and resilient to the current fishing pressures while remaining vibrant for future generations to come”. He especially noted and applauded the FSM’s pioneering in containerized transshipment and its contributions to these initiatives.

While in Chuuk, Vice President Palik took the opportunity to meet with the Chuuk State leadership, including meetings with the Honorable Governor Alexander Narruhn, the Honorable Speaker – House of Representatives Lester Mersai, the Honorable Vice President of Chuuk Legislature – House of Senate Wisney Nakayama and the Honorable Chief Justice Jason Robert. During these meetings, the Honorable Vice President Palik took the opportunity to update on the status of FSM-US Compact and related implementation prerequisites. Vice President Palik was briefed on several pending matters including Chuuk’s Strategic Development Plan, ongoing infrastructure projects and Chuuk State’s planned participation in upcoming events such as the Pacific Festival of Arts, 10th Micronesian Games, 3rd MicroExpo.

Accompanying the Honorable Vice President Palik during the meeting with Governor Narruhn was NORMA Consultant Mr. Eugene Pangelinan, and Special Assistant to the Vice President Ari Skilling.

*PNA members: FSM, RMI, ROP, Kiribati, Nauru, PNG, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu

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