Secretary Locsin and Palau President Whipps Discuss Strengthening Ties 

Left: Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and Palau’s President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. Right: Secretary Locsin with spouse, Ma. Lourdes B. Locsin, and President Whipps with spouse, Mrs. Valerie N. Remengesau Whipps.(Photos from NYPM)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK 23 September 2021 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. met with Palau President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. at the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Secretary Locsin and President Whipps discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries, including on trade, technical, educational and maritime cooperation.

Secretary Locsin thanked President Whipps for the kind hosting by Palau of Filipinos, also in including Filipinos in their national COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Around 3,000 Filipinos are living and working in Palau, which make up around 20 percent of its population. He also highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to resolving the pending maritime boundaries dispute with Palau to which President Whipps expressed their eagerness in restarting such talks that were delayed due to the pandemic.

President Whipps told Secretary Locsin that the 7th Our Ocean Conference, which was originally scheduled to take place in 2020, will now be held in person in Koror, Palau on 16-17 February 2022. He invited the Philippines to participate in the Conference at the highest level possible. In response, Secretary Locsin affirmed the support of the Philippines for Palau’s hosting of the Conference, detailing shared interests and concerns as island countries. END

For more information, visit https://www.un.int/philippines/ and https://web.facebook.com/PHMissionNY