Overview:
Palau has taken a historic step in its foreign relations after the Senate unanimously confirmed Roland Merar as the country’s first Ambassador to Australia. The appointment establishes Palau’s inaugural diplomatic presence in Canberra and signals a deeper commitment to strengthening ties with one of its key regional partners in education, climate resilience and maritime security.
By: L.N. Reklai
NGERULMUD, Palau (January 19, 2026) — The 12th Senate of the Olbiil Era Kelulau on Friday unanimously confirmed Roland Merar as the Republic of Palau’s Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia, marking the first time Palau has appointed a resident ambassador to Australia.
Merar’s confirmation was approved without objection following a favorable report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and State Matters, which reviewed his credentials and Senate Resolution No. 12-62 during the Fifth Regular Session of the 12th OEK.
The resolution, introduced Jan. 13 by Senate President Hokkons Baules, formally confirmed Merar’s appointment after the committee found him qualified based on his extensive background in education, public service, and regional leadership.
Educational and Professional Background
According to the committee report, Merar holds an associate degree in physical therapy assistance from Kapiʻolani Community College, a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus on health and physical education from the University of Guam, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from San Diego State University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in special education at Walden University.
Merar’s career spans more than three decades in education and government service. He taught at Palau High School and Maris Stella School in the 1990s and later served as recreation supervisor at Palau Community College. From 1999 to 2005, he worked as a special education physical therapist for Palau’s Ministry of Education.
He later served as director of the Bureau of Arts and Culture from 2005 to 2009 and went on to hold academic leadership roles at Northern Marianas College, where he has served as an assistant professor and currently serves as director and assistant professor for the School of Education. He is also a governing board member of the Regional Educational Laboratory Pacific and previously served on the Pacific Regional Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Education.
Ambassadorial Role and Mission
In responses to a Senate questionnaire, Merar expressed his willingness to serve as ambassador with “humility, dedication, and a strong sense of duty,” acknowledging the role as Palau’s official diplomatic representative to Australia.
The committee noted that Merar demonstrated a clear understanding of the ambassador’s responsibilities, which include strengthening bilateral relations, establishing and managing Palau’s diplomatic office in Australia, protecting the interests of Palauan citizens residing there, and promoting national priorities through sustained engagement with Australian counterparts.
Palau–Australia Relations
Palau and Australia have maintained a long-standing partnership focused on regional security, climate change, development aid, and education. Australia has been a key development partner, providing support in health, infrastructure, and climate resilience initiatives, while Palau has cooperated closely on maritime security and environmental conservation in the Pacific. The appointment of a resident ambassador is expected to deepen this bilateral cooperation and enhance Palau’s visibility in Canberra, giving Palau a stronger platform to advocate for regional priorities, sustainable development, and the welfare of Palauan citizens living or studying in Australia.
Merar said he intends to establish Palau’s diplomatic presence in Australia in a professional, orderly, and accountable manner, reflecting the significance of the post. He identified education, climate resilience, maritime security, workforce development, and development assistance as key areas for cooperation.
Merar articulated a vision of building a strong and effective Palauan diplomatic mission in Australia that delivers “meaningful and lasting outcomes” for Palau. His stated priorities include expanding education and scholarship opportunities for Palauan students, strengthening cooperation on climate and environmental protection, improving maritime security coordination, increasing access to Australian development assistance, and providing support to Palauan citizens living, studying, or working in Australia.
The committee concluded that Merar’s experience, leadership background, and regional engagement position him to represent Palau’s interests with credibility, professionalism, and respect for Palauan institutions.