Majuro, Marshall Islands – February 25, 2025 – Her Excellency President Hilda C. Heine delivered the keynote address at the Opening Ceremony for the 64th Annual Meeting of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL) Board of Directors on at the Nitijela Chambers.
In her keynote remark, President Heine highlighted the urgent global challenges facing the Pacific, particularly climate change. President Heine called climate change “an existential threat to every Pacific Island nation,” noting its devastating effects, including rising sea levels, extreme weather, and ocean acidification. She stressed the vital role of APIL in developing legislation that supports climate resilience and adaptation.
President Heine also emphasized the importance of economic development, urging APIL to foster legislative frameworks that promote investment and sustainable business practices. “By working together, we can amplify our collective voice on the international stage and advocate for our region’s needs,” she stated.
In closing, the President invoked the Marshallese saying, “Kajor Wot Wor” (Stronger Together), urging the members to collaborate on solutions that will ensure a resilient and prosperous future for the Pacific.
President Heine formally declared the 64th APIL Board of Directors Meeting officially open, encouraging all attendees to actively contribute to shaping the future direction of APIL.
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Keynote Address by Her Excellency Hilda C. Heine
President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
at the 64 th APIL Board of Directors Meeting
February 25, 2025, Nitijela Chambers
“Stronger Together”
Alii, Mogethin, Hafa Adai, Ran Anim, Kashelelia, Len Wo, Mauri
[Acknowledgements]
• The Chairman of the Council of Iroij and Traditional Leaders
• Cabinet and Nitijela Members
• APIL President the Honorable Speaker Edmond Villagomez and Vice President, Honorable Tinian Ryer
• Honorable Speakers and Senators of the 64th APIL Board of Directors and APIL staff • Members of the Diplomatic Corps
• Our Church, Community, and Private Sector Leaders
• Distinguished guests and friends
• Ladies and Gentlemen
Iokwe and welcome to the 64th APIL Board of Directors meeting. It is truly a privilege and an honor for me to address this august body of Pacific legislators. The work of the APIL Board of Directors sets the direction and priority of the Association and is therefore critical to the successful implementation of the work program of the organization. Your presence here in Majuro underscores your commitment to the vital work of APIL, and I thank you most sincerely for the generosity of your time and your devotion to make life better for our Pacific peoples.
I think we can all agree that 2025 is shaping up to be a very interesting year indeed. Global issues and trends are marked by a complex interplay of challenges and uncertainties. Climate change continues to be a defining crisis, driving extreme weather events and impacting our vulnerable populations. Geopolitical tensions have worsened, with conflicts and power rivalries reshaping borders and international relations. Economic disparities remain a significant concern, exacerbating inequalities and fueling social instability. Technological advancements are rapidly reshaping industries and societies, presenting not only opportunities, but new and unimagined risks. Additionally, demographic shifts, including aging populations and migration patterns, are creating new social and economic dynamics. These interconnected global trends demand collaborative solutions and innovative approaches to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for our Pacific peoples.
I don’t need to tell you about climate change and its impact on our islands and our communities. It is common knowledge that rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification are already devastating communities, displacing populations, threatening vital ecosystems and critical food sources, and much needed income for our peoples and governments. You and I know the narrative by heart because we are at the very front of this global calamity. We know climate change, we live climate change, we are climate change. Climate change poses an existential threat to every Pacific Island nation and territory, making it a fundamental concern for the Association.
APIL plays a crucial role in formulating and coordinating legislative responses to this singular challenge. This includes developing and harmonizing laws related to climate change adaptation and mitigation, promoting sustainable resource management, and advocating for increased climate finance and technical assistance. APIL also facilitates the sharing of best practices and lessons learned among member legislatures, enabling them to effectively translate regional and international climate commitments into actionable programs on the ground.
APIL’s work is essential for ensuring that Pacific Island nations and territories have the legal and policy frameworks in place to protect our peoples, our cultures, and our common future in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
Commerce, encompassing both domestic and international trade, is a critical driver of economic development in Pacific Island nations, and APIL plays a key role in fostering a favorable commercial environment by promoting sound legislative frameworks that encourage investment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business practices. This includes supporting the development of laws related to business registration, contract enforcement, and intellectual property rights. APIL also addresses challenges related to access to finance, infrastructure development, and regulatory efficiency, which impact ease of doing business in the region. By fostering regional cooperation and harmonization of commercial laws, Pacific Island nations are then empowered to strengthen their economies, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of their citizens.
It is in this regard that the APIL plays a crucial role in facilitating collaboration among Pacific Island nations and territories to address these complex issues. As a regional body, APIL provides a platform for members to share experiences, best practices, and develop common strategies to tackle shared challenges, which, as we all know, disproportionately impact our Blue Pacific continent more so because of our small size and relative isolation. By working together, Pacific Island legislatures can amplify our collective voice on the international stage and advocate for the needs and priorities of our region in global forums.
APIL must prioritize several key areas to effectively address global trends and issues. Climate change remains paramount, demanding intensified focus on adaptation strategies, disaster risk reduction, and securing climate finance. This includes developing robust legal frameworks for climate resilience, promoting sustainable resource management, and advocating for loss and damage funding.
APIL must also prioritize sustainable development, focusing on economic diversification, cost-effective sea and air transportation services, food security, and access to clean and affordable energy. This requires fostering regional cooperation on commerce, investment, and infrastructure development, while also addressing social development needs such as education, health, and gender equality.
Finally, APIL must navigate the complex and ever-shifting geopolitical landscape, ensuring Pacific Island nations and territories maintain their sovereignty and agency in an increasingly interconnected world.
We cannot tackle these issues alone. We must work together. Only through a collaborative approach can we find the collective strength to respond to these global trends that are often beyond our individual capacity. We in the Pacific must be proactive in our respond to these trends so that we can build a more resilient and sustainable future for our communities.
As we look to the future, we must remain vigilant and forward-thinking. We must anticipate the emerging challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and develop strategies to address them effectively. I believe APIL is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in this effort.
In our Marshallese culture we have a saying “Kajor Wot Wor”, which could be translated as Stronger Together.
In this spirit of unity, I urge each of you to actively participate in your discussions over the next few days. Your insights, experiences, and commitment are essential to shaping the future direction of APIL and, consequently, our Pacific Island nations and territories.
Let us work together to build a more prosperous and equitable future for the Pacific region and for all our Pacific peoples.
Now, it is my high honor to declare this 64th APIL Board of Directors Meeting officially open.
Kom emool tata. Thank you so very much.
