Permanent Mission of Palau to the United Nations

JUN 5 | Ahead of the election to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 9 June, we were honored to host our final campaign reception in support of Ms. Villaney Remengesau, Palau’s candidate for the Committee.

The evening was a meaningful opportunity to share Villaney’s story and reflect on her lifelong dedication to advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Palau and across the Pacific. We were deeply grateful to be joined by so many friends, partners, and colleagues whose presence made the occasion especially memorable. Their friendship, encouragement, and support throughout this journey have meant a great deal to Palau and to Villaney’s candidacy.

The evening was made even more meaningful by the presence of H.E. Gustav N. Aitaro, Minister of State of the Republic of Palau, who spoke eloquently about Villaney’s dedication, leadership, and lasting impact. In his words:

“I admire her commitment and her conviction. She has never been content with simply identifying barriers—she has devoted herself to removing them. She has challenged institutions to be more inclusive, encouraged leaders to think diligently, and helped ensure that the voices of persons with disabilities are heard when decisions are being made.”

Villaney leads with vision, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our friends, partners, and colleagues for their support and encouragement throughout this journey.

From March through June, the Permanent Mission of Palau had the pleasure of hosting Lysez Cabusao-Santos, a brilliant sophomore at Stanford University and proud daughter of Guam.

During her internship, Lysez quickly became an invaluable member of the Mission, contributing to a wide range of activities, bringing enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong work ethic to every task. Her academic excellence, thoughtful insights, and willingness to take on new challenges made her a valued member of our team and an important contributor to the Mission’s work.

Through this internship, Lysez gained firsthand exposure to the daily work of diplomacy and multilateral engagement at the United Nations, offering a unique opportunity to bridge classroom learning with real-world international affairs and policymaking.

Ms. Cabusao-Santos joins us as the second Stanford University student to intern with the Mission. We are honored to continue our collaboration with Stanford University and deeply grateful for this partnership. Together, we are creating impactful experiences and unlocking new horizons—nurturing a foundation of growth that will empower and inspire the next generation.

Mesulang, Lysez, for your dedication and contributions. We wish you every success in your future endeavors and look forward to following your journey.

H.E. Ambassador Ilana Seid and Ocean Advisor Ms. Imade Tellei represented Palau at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco from May 28-29, 2026.

Bringing together global leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry representatives, the Forum explored pathways to accelerate the transition toward a sustainable blue economy. Discussions focused on key issues including the role of the private sector in shipping decarbonization, investment opportunities in sustainable blue food systems such as seaweed cultivation and oyster farming, and innovative technologies and circular economy solutions to address marine pollution.

Establishing a sustainable and regenerative blue economy is vital for coastal nations like Palau, where the ocean represents both a foundational natural heritage and a source of economic opportunity. The presentations, strategic networking and high-level discussions held during this forum are fundamental to increasing opportunities to mobilize ocean finance and scaling ocean equity for Palau and the world.

members met in Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹 from May 20–22 🌊

Co-chaired by Norway and Palau, the Ocean Panel is a unique policy body of 14 world leaders with the authority to spark, scale, and accelerate global action for our ocean.

H.E. Ilana Seid accompanied by Ocean Advisor, Ms. Imade Tellei joined global leaders and stakeholders to confront urgent ocean governance issues, share expertise, and collaborate toward a shared goal: 100% sustainable management of the ocean.

Discussions focused on financing to scale the sustainable ocean economy, advancing equity for coastal communities and developing island nations, and strengthening global ocean observation data to support sound decision-making for our ocean.