OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)

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OIA Applauds Recent Release of the 2022 Economic Census of Island Areas

07/22/2024

Asst. Secretary Cantor and OIA applaud the U.S. Census Bureau’s recently released 2022 Economic Census of Island Areas for American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam, and the USVI, the most comprehensive measure of economic activity providing island and local economic estimates at various industry levels as well as information on the number of business establishments, total employment, annual payroll, total sales, and select expenses and inventories in these jurisdictions.

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Compact Trust Fund

OIA Announces $233 Million Contribution to FSM Compact Trust Fund

07/17/2024

AS Cantor today announced $232,732,731 to the Trust Fund for the People of the FSM, bringing the total United States contributions to the Trust Fund for fiscal year 2024 to $250 million and represents the first installment of U.S. contributions that will total $500 million over a two-year period. The Trust Fund is part of the recently negotiated agreement on amendments to the Compact of Free Association (Compact) signed between the United States and the FSM on May 23, 2023.

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RMI-Compact-Check--II

Assistant Secretary Cantor Announces $372 Million in Compact Funding for Marshall Islands

07/12/2024

This $372 million contribution on behalf of the U.S. Government to support the Republic of the Marshall Islands is one of the first actions taken under the newly amended Compact agreements, highlighting the U.S. Government’s implementation of provisions under Public Law 118-42, which enabled and provided funding for the recently negotiated agreement on amendments to the Compact of Free Association signed between the United States and the RMI on October 16, 2023..

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Picture of AS Cantor with Check

Assistant Secretary Cantor Announces $7 Million in Grants for Palau

06/27/2024

The United States and Palau held bilateral economic consultations in Palau this week where officials discussed financial and economic goals under the newly approved 2023 Compact Review Agreement (CRA). In a meeting with the Palau President, Assistant Secretary Cantor announced $6,000,000 in Compact of Free Association (Compact) Infrastructure Maintenance grants for Fiscal Years 2022, 2023, and 2024, including $1,098,699 in Technical Assistance Program (TAP) funding provided through the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), affirming the strong support that the United States has for the Republic of Palau.

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Group photo Gov Guam, Gov CNMI with US federal partners

Assistant Secretary Cantor Announces $11 Million in Grants for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

06/05/2024

“This forum is an important opportunity to engage with Micronesian leaders on the most current and pressing topics of concern to the region,” said Assistant Secretary Cantor. “At the invitation of MIF-host Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero, I was pleased to meet with other island leaders and federal and multilateral partners in person where I also announced grant awards that will help address needs related to capital improvements, data development, public safety, training, and local capacity building.”

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Technical Assistance Program funding for Close Up Foundation supports high school students

Assistant Secretary Cantor Highlights Funding to Support Civic Education Opportunities for Students in U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States

05/23/2024

Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today met with high school students from the 2024 Insular Area Close Up Program, a program funded by the Office of Insular Affairs that provides meaningful civic education opportunities for students from the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States.

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