NGERULMUD, Palau – Members of the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) are set to convene in a joint session later this month to receive the annual State of the Republic Address from His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau.
The joint session was formally scheduled through the unanimous adoption of Senate Joint Resolution No. 12-8 during the Senate’s third day of its First Special Session on April 3. The resolution calls for the First Joint Session of the Twelfth Olbiil Era Kelulau to be held on April 24, 2025, in the National Capitol in Ngerulmud.
President Whipps is expected to present a comprehensive update on the current state of national affairs, addressing a range of key priorities such as economic recovery, health care improvements, climate change resilience, education, infrastructure development, and ongoing foreign policy initiatives. The annual address is also anticipated to outline the administration’s legislative agenda and highlight areas for collaboration with both houses of the national legislature.
This marks the first joint session of the Twelfth OEK since it was sworn in earlier this year, and will be closely watched by citizens, traditional leaders, and development partners alike for indications of the government’s direction in the year ahead. By: Eustoria Marie Borja