Last week, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan 501(c)(3) research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy, hosted a panel discussion entitled “Strengthening America’s Asian Border: A Discussion with Northern Marianas Governor Arnold Palacios.”

Congratulations to Dr. Rita Sablan and Mr. Alvaro Santos on being sworn in as new board members of the Marianas Public Land Trust. Dr. Sablan and Mr. Santos both represent the 3rd senatorial district – Saipan.

Along with other governors, Governor Palacios was in Washington D.C. last week for the 2024 senior plenary of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas organized by the U.S. Department of Interior – Office of Insular Affairs. Speaking to an audience composed of representatives from various federal agencies, Governor Palacios spoke about ongoing and new projects and activities in the CNMI that need urgent federal responses.

CNMI Governor Arnold I. Palacios met with Dr. Ely S. Ratner (right), the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs at the Pentagon to talk about military activities in the CNMI, building resiliency, and other topics. Also in the meeting was Ms. Rebecca Zimmerman, who is performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs. Along with other governors, Governor Palacios was in Washington D.C. last week for the 2024 senior plenary of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas organized by the U.S. Department of Interior – Office of Insular Affairs.

Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Governor David M. Apatang joined the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation as they broke ground for their Isley Field and Obyan Wells Granular Activated Carbon Water Filtration System Construction Project, which will break down chemicals (human-made substances) in our water that are not naturally found in the environment. 

Congratulations to Ms. Charlotte P.R. Cepeda and Mr. Stephen P. Sablan,  who were recently sworn in as CNMI Zoning Board of Directors’ newest members.

Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Governor David M. Apatang met with Japanese investor group AMEC International Co., Ltd. to discuss tourism revitalization issues, including airline-related initiatives and other ways to expand Japanese companies’ investments in the CNMI. AMEC President Mr. Takatoshi Asada ultimately aims to establish an airline connecting Japan and Saipan and contribute to the development of Saipan’s economy. Mr. Asada was joined by AMEC General Manager Ms. Emi Okazaki and Interpreter Mr. Shigeki Tenorio.

Early this week, Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang met with the Administrator for the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Ms. Deanne Criswell and her team, Region 9 Administrator Mr. Robert Fenton, Jr., Region 9 Integration Team Lead Mr. Brian Beck, and other government officials to discuss the status of infrastructure projects and emergency preparedness in the CNMI.  

Congratulations to Ms. Journie Hofschneider, who was sworn in as the newest board member CNMI Cannabis Commission. Ms. Hofschneider will represent Tinian on the Commission.

Governor Arnold I. Palacios signed an executive order that promotes the aims of the Green Growth Initiative, which includes 17 sustainable development goals that address climate change, pollution and biodiversity in the CNMI.

The Green Growth Initiative is part of a comprehensive sustainable development plan, spearheaded by the Office of Climate Policy and Planning and the Northern Marianas College. The initiative will be chaired by the Governor and NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, and its members will include Climate Policy and Planning Office Special Assistant Tina Sablan and other public officials.