GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios was invited and is now attending the Pacific Islands Forum Summit that President Joe Biden is hosting at the White House in Washington, D.C. from Sept. 25 to 26.
Before leaving the island on Sept. 23, the governor informed department and agency heads that he will be off-island on official business until Sept. 28, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang will be the acting governor.
“I advise all departments and agencies to ensure that all actions, documents and correspondence during this time will reflect this assumption of authority. Please extend full cooperation and assistance to Lt. Gov. Apatang as he assumes this additional responsibility,” Palacios said in his memorandum.
According to the U.S. Department of State, during this year’s summit with Pacific Island leaders, President Biden “will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to our shared regional priorities and deepening our cooperation around them — including tackling the climate crisis; advancing economic growth; promoting sustainable development; strengthening health security; countering illegal, unreported fishing; and expanding our people-to-people ties.”
The president will “highlight the ways the U.S. continues to deliver on our promise to further strengthen our partnership with the Pacific Islands and hear from Pacific Islands Forum leaders how we can increase cooperation to address the mounting challenges of our time,” the State Department said.
Arnold Palacios
