The U.S. Department of the Interior and Palau held their first bilateral economic consultations since the passage of the Compact Review Agreement (CRA) of 2023 on June 26, 2024, at the Palau Pacific Resort. The consultations aimed to review Palau’s progress in achieving reforms outlined in the CRA, which is designed to support the island nation’s economic recovery and development.
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor and her team met with Palau’s Minister of Finance Kaleb Udui Jr. and his delegation.
“These consultations are a demonstration of our mutual commitment to not just maintain our relationship, but to strengthen it,” Assistant Secretary Cantor said. “By learning from you, the knowledgeable experts on the ground, about how the Palau government is rising to these challenges, we can best help coordinate United States government support and assistance.”
President Surangel Whipps Jr. emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in utilizing U.S. aid. “They are here to see what we are doing with the money, to know our needs, so if we need help, they know where they can support us,” he said. “This is a partnership.”
During the consultations, Assistant Secretary Cantor presented Palau with two checks under the new CRA: $6 million for COFA Infrastructure Maintenance and $1.1 million for a Technical Assistance Grant. The grant will fund assessments of economic development strategies, develop a uniform street naming system, and support water treatment investigations by the Palau Public Utilities Corporation.