Page 38 - IB Dec 2020

Palau

Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr.

REMEMBER ME FOR NATION BUILDING

PALAU’S PRESIDENT TOMMY REMENGESAU

By Bernadette H. Carreon the United States, to an independent not successful in being voted as Secre-
nation. Serving at that time as Vice- tary- General.
Palau President Tommy Remengesau President to the late Kuniwo Nakamura, While critics see the threat as a risky
Jr. has earned plaudits at home and Remengesau said he has fostered move that may pull the Pacific apart,
abroad. Known for his world-renowned partnerships and developed the tourism Remengesau said allowing Micronesia to
environmental initiatives, including the industry. have its turn is a show of respect from
famed Palau National Marine Sanctuary, “Everything Palau has achieved in the bigger nations of the forum.
the outgoing leader also passed one the 16 years I have been president has “We are not pulling the Pacific apart-
tough leadership test this year- keeping been true and consistent -maintaining we are honouring the respect, trust and
the nation COVID- free. a Pristine Paradise Palau while pursuing cooperation of an inclusive process in
President Remengesau retires from planned and appropriate developments line with the spirit of the Pacific Way.”
politics in January 2021. This is Re- for all Palauans. I hope people remem- “Is our candidate and our collective
mengesau’s last rodeo, having served ber me for this.” judgement inferior? I don’t think so. It’s
the tiny nation as a public official for President Remengesau sees Palau as only fair that we discuss the gentle-
over 20 years and a respected and sea- continuing its strong role as an advocate man’s agreement as soon as possible to
soned statesman in the Pacific. in global efforts to combat the climate wrap up the process and move on,” he
Remengesau is leaving the world crisis, saying there is a lot more work to said.
of politics, and as for his legacy; he be done. President Remengesau said while he
says he wants to be remembered as “Palau like all Pacific Island nations is no longer the leader next year, he has
the leader who maintained a ‘Pristine has to do more than the attention and briefed his successor- President-elect
Paradise Palau’. progress to date. We are small but there Surangel Whipps Jr. about the impor-
“Nation-building has been a balancing is strength in unity with one voice. tance of this issue. The Pacific Island
act for me, I felt with the majority of Progress in climate change is dragging Forum leaders will likely discuss the
Palauan people, we needed to preserve and we need to pound the fact that it issue in January.
the best, while improving the rest.” is a security, a survival issue for all of “Leaders change but commitments
“Our culture, our environment, our us -our sustainable future is at stake,” and obligation remain.”
identities have to be reconsidered as we Remengesau said. With less than two months left ,
ensured economic developments and President Remengesau intends to Remengesau is checking out from the
opportunities,” he told Islands Business. leave with a bang. In October he and political stage and looking forward to
Remengesau was part of the gov- four other leaders of the Micronesian being a full-time fisherman, father,
ernment that transitioned Palau from nations threatened to leave the Pacific grandfather and retiring with “peace
Trust Territory status administered by Islands Forum (PIF) if their nominee is of mind.”

38 Islands Business, December 2020