President Joe Biden delivers a statement at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 14, 2024.
Carmen Cantor
PRESIDENT Joe Biden last week designated Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor as his special representative for the Covenant Section 902 consultations with the CNMI government.
In April, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios officially informed the president that the CNMI was initiating 902 consultations focused on direct financial assistance under Section 702 of the Covenant, tourism and transportation infrastructure and access to skilled labor.
Biden, in his letter dated July 17, 2024, said in response to the CNMI’s request and pursuant to Section 902 of the Covenant, “I am pleased to inform you that I have designated the Honorable Carmen G. Cantor, the Assistant Secretary of the Interior, as my Special Representative for purposes of continuing the consultations that take place between the CNMI and the Federal Government.”
“I trust that this Section 902 consultation will be a vehicle for addressing the critical issues raised by the CNMI,” Biden added.
According to the governor, “The issues that we will bring to the table are exceedingly timely and relevant.”
He thanked the president for his response. “We look forward to engaging with Assistant Secretary Cantor and her team in a transparent and candid discussion about these issues and about how we can work collaboratively toward achieving goals that would mutually benefit the CNMI and the Federal Government,” Palacios added.
“As I’ve stressed in multiple testimonies, speeches, and other forums, the people of the Northern Marianas are proud Americans. We support the position of our country in the Indo-Pacific region and appreciate the partnership of the U.S. Government in our shared endeavors,” Palacios said. “We will approach the consultation sessions from a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and with a laser-focused aim of improving the lives of the people of the CNMI.”
Palacios said he will formally appoint, over the next several days, the individuals who will represent the CNMI in the 902 consultations.
