Overview:
After more than 13 years without a resident ambassador in Manila, Palau’s Senate has confirmed Keith Sugiyama as the country’s ambassador to the Philippines. Sugiyama, a former Chargé d’Affaires who served in Manila for eight years, will take on the post as Palau looks to strengthen diplomatic, education, health and maritime cooperation with the Philippines.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Ngerulmud, Palau – The Senate confirmed Keith Sugiyama yesterday afternoon as Palau’s resident ambassador to the Philippines, ending more than 13 years without a resident ambassador in Manila.
During his confirmation hearing on Tuesday afternoon, Sugiyama appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and State Matters to answer questions about his nomination.
Sugiyama holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the American Public University System in West Virginia and a Master of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from American Military University, also in West Virginia. He previously served as Chargé d’Affaires of Palau’s Diplomatic Mission in the Philippines for eight years.
In his testimony, Sugiyama highlighted the strategic importance of Palau’s mission in Manila, noting that his prior experience “has shown me just how important Manila is as a diplomatic post for Palau. Our embassy represents Palau not only before the government of the Philippines, but also provides an important connection as principal channel to 40 foreign missions and Ambassadors based in Manila that are accredited to Palau”.
When asked why Palau would post an ambassador to the Philippines despite the Philippines not maintaining an ambassador or embassy in Palau, Sugiyama replied, “Actually I have engaged with the Philippines in the past with regards to elevation of our mission in Manila. Philippines government has no objection. During my last meeting, the response was it’s Palau’s decision and it’s up to your government if you want to elevate the embassy back to Ambassador level”.
The hearing also explored potential opportunities for cooperation in the Philippines, including engagement with bilateral partners’ representatives stationed there, as well as prospects in education, health, and discussions on Palau’s maritime boundary with the Philippines.
Sugiyama follows two distinguished predecessors: Ambassadors Anita Rechirei and Ramon Rechebei.
The first Ambassador Anita Rechirei, was an educator who served as vice president of Palau Community College’s Cooperative and Research Extension (CRE). She was the first Palauan woman to earn a master’s degree in Education with a minor in Nutrition from the University of Hawaii, and in 1967 became the first Palauan—and Micronesian to graduate from the University of the Philippines, that country’s top-ranked university. Appointed by Remengesau, she was confirmed unanimously by the 6th Olbiil era Kelulau.
The second resident ambassador was Ramon Rechebei, a marine biologist who worked for the Trust Territory Government from 1974 to 1983 before returning to Palau to work in fisheries management for the national government. In 2006, he was appointed Palau’s second resident ambassador to the Philippines, serving until 2013; he also served as Palau’s non-resident ambassador to Indonesia and Vietnam.
Palau and the Philippines established diplomatic ties on July 15, 1997, and Palau’s embassy in the Philippines opened in September 2002. Before Sugiyama’s confirmation, Peter Adelbai, Ambassador to Japan also served as non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines.