GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Tuesday met with U.S. Department of the Interior-Office of Insular Affairs Director of Policy Basil Ottley to discuss the CNMI’s state of recovery after a natural disaster and the global pandemic.
They also discussed opportunities for local economic growth and environmental conservation.
Ottley congratulated Torres and the CNMI for efforts to revitalize the economy after the global pandemic.
Ottley specifically highlighted the CNMI and Korea Travel Resumption Investment Plan or TRIP program as well as the amount of observable business activity in the Commonwealth.
Moreover, he commended the CNMI on its recent presentation at the Territorial Climate Infrastructure Workshop that took place in Honolulu, Hawaii this past March.
The delegation that represented the Marianas included representatives from various CNMI government departments and agencies, who presented on both the needs and progress of the Commonwealth in regard to topics of water, built and natural infrastructure, broadband, energy, and legacy pollution.
“We at [DOI-OIA] talked about the great representation and quality of the presentations by team NMI. The other territories were also praising your administration’s presence and presentation throughout,” said Ottley.
The governor thanked Director Ottley for taking the time to visit the CNMI and to see, firsthand, the changes and progress being made, as well as the work that still needs to be done to build resilient infrastructure while preserving the natural environment.
They discussed the opportunities that the OIA has made available to support critical priorities regarding water and coral reef management, especially given impacts in land and water environments due to climate change.
“I’ve built a strong relationship with the federal family over the past seven years, and I look forward to our continued partnership with DOI,” said Torres.
The DOI-OIA coordinates federal policy for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
It is also responsible for administering and overseeing U.S. federal assistance to the Freely Associated States — the FSM, the Marshall Islands, and Palau — as well as providing technical and financial assistance to all insular areas.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, left, shakes hands with U.S. Department of the Interior-Office of Insular Affairs Director of Policy Basil Ottley during a meeting Tuesday at the governor’s office on Capital Hill.
