Office of the President, Republic of Palau

Farewell Dinner Celebrates Ambassador Turner's Tenure and Strengthened Ties Between Palau and Australia

Koror, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps joined local leaders, the diplomatic corps and local leaders in a farewell dinner for H.E. Richelle Turner, Australia’s first resident ambassador to Palau. Her tenure was celebrated with laughter, music and stories at Elilai Restaurant on March 25, 2025.

She departs at the end of the month to prepare for her new role as Counsellor to the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea. Her work with the national and state governments, and cultural leadership, deepened bilateral relations between our two nations.

Some key achievements, include:
• Qantas’ ‘Palau Paradise Express’: Launched direct Brisbane-Koror flights to boost tourism and trade.
• Healthcare modernization: Digitized medical records via Project Olangch at Belau National Hospital.
• Community participation: Hosted and participated in 5Ks and other community events that promoted ties and furthered strengthening cultural ties.

The Australian Embassy, established in 2019, remains a cornerstone of regional collaboration in Palau. We won’t say goodbye as we hope to work with her again. Instead, we’ll say “Mesulang me a uriul, Ambassador Turner!”

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEENT: WIOA office is CLOSED today, Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Tonight the Ministry of Education Curriculum & Instruction Team talks about the successes and challenges they’ve faced.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mJlqEMtiHGA&pp=ygUSRGlheiBicm9hZGNhc3Rpbmcg

Watch & Listen to the latest updates for Ministry of Education.

UP-TO-DATE WITH PRESIDENT WHIPPS || March 24, 2025 UP-TO-DATE WITH PRESIDENT WHIPPS || March 24, 2025

Deeds signed for PNOC Facilities, Fire Station, Victims’ Shelter, and Airai School Extension

Koror, Palau – President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., Minister Charles Obichang of MPII, and Governor Norman Ngiratecheboet of Airai State, were on hand on March 19, 2025 to witness the signing of deeds between Palau Public Lands Authority and Airai State Public Lands Authority. The transfer of deeds between the two land authorities are to provide areas in Airai state for development of National infrastructures to include those that will be used by Palau National Olympic Committee, a fire station, a victim’s shelter and enlarging the Airai Elementary School.

These structures and improvements align with the President’s A Kot A Rechad Er Belau vision of investing in our children, taking care of our health and social services, and ensuring our security and safety.

Postmaster General Santy Asanuma Sworn In

Koror, Palau – President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. administered the oath of office to Mr. Santy Asanuma as Palau’s Postmaster General for another term. Family, friends, Post Office staff, and his brothers and sisters in Christ witnessed the ceremony held at the Office of the President at the One Stop Shop in Koror on March 19, 2024.

Postmaster Asanuma gave a brief overview of the work accomplished at the post office, including updated procedures to ensure Palau’s security regarding incoming packages are enforced, and improvement of services. He also thanked the President and the OEK for giving him the opportunity to continue being the Postmaster.

Border protection at the Post Office aligns with A Kot A Rechad Er Belau’s notion of ensuring our security and safety.

Watch & Listen to President Whipps and Cabinet update the nation!

Presidential Press Conference Presidential Press Conference | March 19 2025

President Whipps Welcomes New EU Ambassador to Palau

Koror, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. accepted credentials from the new European Union (EU) Ambassador, H. E. Barbara Plinkert.

During a ceremony at the President's office in Koror on March 17, Ambassador Plinkert presented her credentials, making her the 7th non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to the Republic of Palau.

President Whipps expressed sincere appreciation for the EU’s support and dedication to Palau’s nation building. He emphasized the significance of strengthening economic ties and expanding trade relations between Palau and the EU, fostering mutual prosperity.

Palau Bids Farewell To Ambassador Turner

Koror, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and the leadership of Palau bid farewell to a close friend and ally, H.E. Richelle Turner, Australian Ambassador to Palau, at a dinner reception dedicated to her at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center on March 17, 2025.

Ambassador Turner is the first Australian resident ambassador in Palau. Her tenure in Palau began in a small 8x12 bedroom office in her apartment in Meyuns, Koror. She later grew it to a fully operational office in the heart of Koror.

During the event, President Whipps said, “with Ambassador Turner’s help, we were able to launch Project Olangch, an electronic health record system enabling real-time data access for clinical staff, renovate and refurbish our aging hospital extending its lifespan while working to build a new hospital, technical support in response to the multiple cyber attacks, and improved and expanded our tourism market with the introduction of the Palau Paradise Express, a weekly flight between Palau and Brisbane, Australia.”

The people of Palau value your friendship and contributions and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Sharing BHR's request for proposals:

The public is hereby informed that the Bureau of Human Resources (BHR) of the Government of Palau will be soliciting and accepting sealed bids/proposals from interested businesses, qualified individuals, agencies, or institutions to provide the Office of the Attorney General with an Office Space.
This will be a competitively negotiated contract. The services requested will be fully funded by local funds. The specifications along with the evaluation criteria and all other requirements are
being prepared and shall be made available on April 1, 2025. The solicitation and bidding periods shall continue for more than 30 days or for a minimum of 15 days as determined by the Procurement Officer. The specifications will also be made available on PalauGov’s website https://www.palaugov.pw/rfp-bids/. Interested vendors may obtain copies of specifications by
contacting Bureau of Human Resources.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. : PCS-2025-25
PUBLIC NOTICE : March 17, 2025 – March 31, 2025
BIDDING PERIOD : April 1, 2025 – April 30, 2025
BID OPENING : May 1, 2025

Proposals or offers may be submitted at the National Treasury at the Finance Building in Koror or the Executive Building in Ngerulmud, Melekeok. For more information regarding this notice, please contact BHR by calling +680 767-2415/1126 or emailing [email protected].

President Whipps Appoints Mr. Stan Shih as a Senior Economic Advisor

Koror, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. appointed Taiwanese businessman, engineer and philanthropist Mr. Stan Shih as a Senior Economic Advisor to the President of the Republic of Palau.

“Given your exceptional credentials as the founder of multiple enterprises, including Acer Group, and your dedication to philanthropic efforts as Chairman of the StanShih Foundation, I am deeply grateful for your commitment to supporting the people of Palau,” the President said.

As Senior Economic Advisor, Mr. Shih will provide strategic guidance on economic policy, sustainable development, and the diversification of Palau’s economy. Mr. Shih’s expertise will be instrumental in shaping policies that foster long-term growth in Palau while ensuring resilience and environmental sustainability.

In line with the appointment, President Whipps and Mr. Shih signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to implement a Portfolio of Opportunities for research, development, business development and investments.

The purpose of the collaborative effort “is to make Palau so attractive that Palauans wish to return to the country and overseas investment partners are prepared to establish ventures,” according to the MOU signed on March 17 at the President’s Office in the One Stop Shop in Koror, Palau. These efforts are part of the larger vision of A Kot a Rechad er Belau by strengthening our workforce, improving and protecting livelihoods, and more.

About Stan Shih
Mr. Stan Shih co-founded Acer in 1976 under the name Multitech, and served as Chairman and CEO until his initial retirement in 2004. He returned in November 2013 to help lead Acer through its third corporate transformation. In June 2014 he stepped away from the daily operations and became Honorary Chairman.

A social entrepreneur, Shih now serves as Chairman of the StanShih Foundation. He is a member of the board at TSMC and Nan Shan Life Insurance. In social and public services, he is Chairman of the Cloud Gate Culture and Arts Foundation, and convener of the Cultural Tech Alliance, Taiwan. He is also a member of the board at the Public Television Service Foundation and the Chinese Television System.

Throughout his career, Shih has received numerous accolades, including Businessweek’s “25 Top Managers of the Year” (1996) and was featured in TIME in the article “60 years of Asian Heroes” (2006).

President Meets Chairman Sasakawa.

Tokyo, Japan - During his visit to Japan for the World Ocean Forum, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and his delegation had the opportunity to meet with Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa. The Nippon Foundation is an important partner to Palau, supporting maritime security among other areas. The discussion was exploring more ways to collaborate and work together.

Taiwan’s Sustainable Energy and Investment Team Visits President Whipps

Koror, Palau – President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. welcomed Ambassador Jessica Lee and the Taiwan Sustainable Energy and Investment team lead by Mr. Stan Shih, Chairman of the StanShih Foundation and Co-founder & Honorary Chairman of the Acer Group, who presented ideas for business opportunities on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Opportunities included a creative park, a Center for International Cooperation in Education, Porrima Hydrogen Vehicle, Condo & Elite Visa Program, and Harvest Green. After lunch, President Whipps took them to visit potential sites including the Malakal Harbor, Dolphin Pacific, and other areas. This potential collaboration supports President Whipps’ Kot A Rechad Er Belau focus as it can support protecting our livelihoods, strengthen our Palauan workforce as well as taking care of our health and social services.

With the President at the presentation were Speaker Gibson Kanai, Senator Salvador Tellames, Koror State Governor Eyos Rudimch, Principals Smyth Rdang (PHS), Alan Marbou (MHS), PVA Managing Director Kadoi Ruluked and Bureau of Tourism Chief Yanni Elangel Mesubed.

Palau and Conservation International Renew Commitment to Sustainable Domestic Fisheries and Ocean Protection

Tokyo, Japan – [March 12, 2025] – Today, at the World Ocean Summit, the Republic of Palau and Conservation International renewed their partnership to support Palau’s efforts in building a resilient island economy based on marine conservation and sustainable fisheries. This partnership reinforces Palau’s global leadership in ocean stewardship and blue economic development.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) builds on a collaboration first established in 2021 and aligns with Palau’s national vision, “A Kot a Rechad er Belau” (Palauan People First), that focuses on ensuring conservation efforts benefit Palauan communities. Rooted in the Palau Blue Prosperity Plan, which integrates environmental protection with sustainable economic growth, the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which extends through 2029, emphasizes the enhancement of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, the sustainability and onshore benefits of domestic fisheries, and more.

“Palau did not start out to be a world leader in marine management. Our efforts as a people started centuries ago with the understanding that healthy ecosystems on land and in the water meant more resources for us,” said President Surangel. S. Whipps, Jr. “It was a matter of survival. And that is truer today more than any other time in our history. But this is not something we can do alone. This is why we appreciate partners like Conservation International. This renewed partnership with Conservation International strengthens our ability to protect our resources, secure our economy, and pass a thriving ocean on to future generations. More than that, it shows the world what can be achieved when we work together.”

The MOU aims to enhance the sustainable management of Palau’s fisheries by implementing supportive policy, infrastructure, and finance measures that support Palauan farmers, fishers, and technical specialists. This includes strengthening sustainable production practices and providing direct support to the Palauan workforce.

The agreement also seeks to advance world-leading marine protection and adaptive management strategies to safeguard critical ecosystems while increasing economic benefits for Palauan communities.

"Palau continues to show the world that conservation and economic resilience go hand in hand," said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. "By renewing this partnership, we reaffirm our shared vision for a healthy, productive ocean that sustains both people and nature and build upon of two decades of work in Palau. Conservation International remains deeply committed to supporting Palau in achieving its goals under the Blue Prosperity Plan."

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