City Sivarai

ATTENDING THE INAUGURATION OF PALAU’S PRESIDENT: A HISTORIC AND PERSONAL JOURNEY

January 19, 2025

It was a great honor and privilege for me to attend the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Palau, Hon. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., and his Vice President, Hon. Raynold Arnold Gilouch.

I thank Prime Minister Hon. James Marape for extending the invitation to me. Our delegation comprised Prime Minister Marape and his wife, Rachael, Minister for Fisheries Hon. Jelta Wong, myself, and, of course, our protocol and security staff.

The ceremony was well attended by distinguished guests, including the President of the Marshall Islands, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Japanese Foreign Minister, and diplomats and official representatives from Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation, the USA, Slovakia, the United Arab Emirates, India, and others.

Among the prominent delegates was the official delegation from Taiwan, which shares a diplomatic relationship with Palau.

The people of Palau trace their ancestry to the indigenous people of Taiwan, creating a deep historical and cultural bond.

The inauguration was a beautiful blend of contemporary state protocols and the rich cultural traditions of the Palauan people, or Belau, as they are traditionally known.

A particularly moving part of the ceremony was the traditional chanting, where ancestral spirits were called upon to guide the newly inaugurated President, Vice President, and Members of the Senate and House of Delegates to lead Palau for the highest good.

This was done in honor of their ancestors and the values that underpin their modern Republic.

Attending this event also held personal significance for me.

It was an opportunity to trace the history of our people, who, over 120 years ago, suffered a tragic loss during a trading expedition to the mainland coast of Papua New Guinea, West Papua, and the western islands of Manus and East Sepik.

A fleet of 33 canoes, each carrying an average of 10 people, set out on this journey. Unfortunately, on their return to Manus, they encountered a severe storm, and only one canoe made it back to our village of Mbuke.

This tragedy deeply impacted our people for generations.

After the loss of 32 canoes and around 300 individuals, our community ceased long-distance trading expeditions and confined trade to the coastal areas of Manus Province.

However, since the 1980s, we have learned that some of our lost relatives survived and reached Palau, where their descendants have lived ever since.

Today, I shared this story with President Whipps in the hope that we can one day reunite with our long-lost relatives, fostering a connection between our peoples and allowing both communities to heal and thrive in the spirit of unity across two nations.

As I reflect on this historic event and the warm hospitality of the Palauan people, I am reminded of the resilience of our ancestors and the bonds that transcend time and distance.

The possibilities for collaboration and shared growth between Papua New Guinea and Palau are immense, and I look forward to strengthening these ties for the benefit of both our nations.