RELEASE: Host Agreement for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner Signed in Palau

Media Releases and News
18 January 2025

18 January 2025

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Government of the Republic of Palau signed the host agreement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the operation and management of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) in Palau on 17 January 2025. 

The MOU sets out hosting arrangements between the PIF and the Government of Palau for OPOC and was signed in Koror following the inauguration of the President of Palau, His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr.

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their Special Leaders Retreat held in Nadi, Fiji in 2023 approved the establishment of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner in Palau. Leaders also appointed Dr Filimon Manoni to the position of Pacific Ocean Commissioner.

“Today marks an important day as we signed the host agreement in line with the decisions of the Forum Leaders taken in 2022 and 2023, and we will continue to support Palau’s leadership and initiatives on Ocean at the regional and global levels,” said Forum SG Waqa.

“The signing of the MOU marks another important milestone for OPOC as it establishes itself in Palau and continues to serve the Blue Pacific Continent. It is an honour to witness the signing of this MOU in the sidelines of this important day, the President’s Inauguration,” said Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Manoni.

President Whipps and Secretary General Baron Waqa expressed their support for the Commissioner and OPOC during the signing of the MOU, and affirmed their commitment to supporting the OPOC’s transition from Suva, Fiji to its new home in Palau.

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