THE consultation between the CNMI and the U.S. pursuant to Section 902 of the Covenant resumed virtually on July 16, 2025, “marking a renewed commitment to address key issues facing the CNMI,” the Office of the Governor announced Wednesday.
The consultation initially began in October 2024 at the District Court for the NMI in Gualo Rai, with then-Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor leading the U.S. delegation, and Triple J Vice President Michael Sablan serving as the CNMI’s lead representative.
However, the talks stalled for several months following the change in the U.S. administration.
In May 2025, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios announced that President Donald Trump had responded favorably to his request to resume the consultation process. Trump appointed Scott J. Cameron, acting assistant secretary for water and science, to lead the U.S. delegation.
At the resumed talks last week, Palacios led the CNMI delegation, which included core members:
• Michael Sablan, a former CNMI public auditor, representing the private sector;
• Retired Associate Judge Wesley M. Bogdan, legal advisor;
• Matt Adams, legal advisor; and
• Kaplan Kirsch LLP, a legal and policy consulting firm.
Former Lt. Gov. Pete A. Tenorio, also a core member, was unable to attend the initial resumed meeting.
On the U.S. side, the core delegation included:
• William Hague, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Interior for insular and international affairs;
• Angel Demapan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs;
• Justin Rhee, special advisor;
• Jonathan Dunn, associate director, budget division; and,
Tim Murphy, senior counselor, Office of the Solicitor.
The virtual meeting focused on addressing and formalizing procedural issues while outlining a clear direction and accelerated timeline for future sessions.
The governor’s office said the goal is to advance discussions on key CNMI priorities, including:
1) Resumption of specific long-term planning and financial assistance provisions contained in the Covenant to support government expenses and economic development initiatives.
2) Strategic actions to enhance tourism and transportation to and from the Northern Marianas.
3) Coordinated programs to improve access to skilled labor in the CNMI.
The governor’s office noted that both parties acknowledged past challenges in generating timely reports. As a result, they agreed to adopt a regular meeting schedule, potentially as frequent as every other week, to accelerate progress.
“We are dedicated to making significant strides through the 902 consultations, and this renewed collaboration with President Trump’s administration marks an important step forward,” Governor Palacios said in a statement.
“Our efforts will help us open opportunities that these 902 discussions present for our CNMI residents,” he added.
Cameron also expressed enthusiasm about the renewed engagement, emphasizing the importance of close coordination with the governor’s team.
“While our discussions will be based on realistic and meaningful timelines, we are committed to making progress as quickly as possible,” he stated.
The upcoming 902 consultations will serve as a platform to review key documents, align strategic goals, and ensure timely implementation of Covenant-related actions, the governor’s office said.
