HONOLULU — Senior leaders from the Republic of Palau and the United States met at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu, for a U.S.–Palau Joint Committee Meeting, Oct. 28.
The meeting brought together Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., National Security Coordinator Jennifer Anson, senior officials from across the Palau government, and U.S. leaders from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, U.S. Embassy Palau and the broader U.S. interagency. The discussions reaffirmed the partnership between the two nations under the Compact of Free Association.
During the bilateral session, leaders discussed security cooperation progress and priorities, including homeland defense, countering transnational organized crime, and enhancing maritime security. The delegation also discussed U.S. joint service infrastructure initiatives, highlighting plans for the future Palau Port and Harbor Improvement Project, planned improvements at Peleliu’s South Dock, a phased approach to runway improvements on Peleliu, and airfield marking projects on both Peleliu and Angaur. These efforts directly support Palau’s civil transportation, economic mobility, and medical evacuation capabilities, while strengthening regional logistical support.
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, remarked on the advances made through years of close collaboration, and thanked Palau for their partnership in improving readiness for the defense of Palau and the region.
“This meeting delivered concrete progress on our shared security and economic goals,” he said. “By synchronizing our efforts, we are building a more resilient and capable Palau. This strengthens their sovereignty and ensures the U.S. has a reliable and ready partner, securing a stable, prosperous, and open Indo-Pacific for both our nations.”
“Our joint objective is straightforward,” said Stephen Dreikorn, U.S. Embassy Koror Deputy Chief of Mission. “We will strengthen our collective security, deliver measurable benefits to both nations, and ensure the U.S. – Palau partnership meets the challenges in an increasingly complex strategic environment. Ultimately, we share one goal, and that is a secure, protected, and prosperous United States and Palau.”
Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr. emphasized that the United States and Palau are one team and one family, underscoring the importance of open, honest communication and a shared commitment to finding solutions.
“Our partnership is underpinned by the Compact of Free Association,” he said. “It really is a living bond that is rooted in mutual sacrifice, shared democratic values, and a collective vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The Republic of Palau is comprised of 340-plus islands in the Western Pacific bordering the Philippines. Upon gaining independence in 1981, the nation entered a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1994.
The U.S.–Palau partnership, rooted in the Compact of Free Association, remains a cornerstone of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
JTF-M synchronizes operations and activities across all domains, enabling a robust warfighting posture while enhancing partner nation capacity. Dedicated to promoting regional stability, JTF-M will perform homeland defense, Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA), and foreign humanitarian assistance through a whole-of-government approach within its assigned joint operations area.
For more information about JTF-M, visit https://www.pacom.mil/JTF-Micronesia/
