Secretary Jewell, Assistant Secretary Kia’aina to Host Panel Discussion on Climate Change Impacts to Pacific Island Nations in Free Association with the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will offer opening
remarks tomorrow at a panel discussion on climate change impacts facing three Pacific island 
nations freely associated with the United States.  Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther 
Kia’aina and Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs are hosting the dialogue.

The panel discussion will include remarks from the Ambassadors of the Freely Associated States 
which include the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the 
Republic of Palau. These Pacific island nations have had close historical ties with the United 
States dating back to World War II and their current relationships with the U.S. are enshrined in 
Compacts of Free Association.

“There’s no doubt that these Pacific islands are on the front lines of climate change,” said 
Secretary Jewell. “This forum is designed to help build public awareness and strengthen the 
partnerships needed to support these nations as they work to adapt and build resilience against the 
impacts of climate change.”

“Climate change is a global issue, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Freely Associated 
States,” said Assistant Secretary Kia’aina. “This panel gives the Ambassadors of these Pacific 
nations a platform to describe the impacts their islands are already experiencing and discuss ways 
and means to work collaboratively with the United States to help prepare for and adapt to these 
changes.

The forum will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 1:15 p.m. ET in the South Interior 
Building Auditorium.  News media representatives and other interested parties are welcome to 
attend.  Interviews with the participants may be facilitated.

WHO:             Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther P. Kia’aina
His Excellency Hersey Kyota, Ambassador, Republic of Palau
His Exellency Charles Paul, Ambassador, Republic of the Marshall Islands
His Exellency Asterio R. Takesy, Ambassador, Federated States of Micronesia

WHAT:        The Impact of Climate Change in the Freely Associated States of Micronesia in the Western Pacific

WHEN:         Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 1:15 p.m.

WHERE:      South Interior Building Auditorium 1951 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20240

MEDIA:         Media wishing to participate are asked to RSVP to  Tanya_Joshua@ios.doi.gov

WEBCAST:  Media unable to attend can view the forum online at www.doi.gov/events

The Department of the Interior is responsible for coordinating federal policy with respect to the 
territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, and administering and overseeing U.S. federal assistance provided to the Freely 
Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and 
the Republic of Palau under the Compacts of Free Association.  The Office of
Insular Affairs mission is to foster economic opportunities, promote government efficiency, and
improve the quality of life for the people of the insular areas.