MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS – Her Excellency President Hilda C. Heine delivered her remarks at the opening of the 47th Nitijela Constitutional Regular Session on January 5, 2026.
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Enaaan eo an Her Excellency Hilda C. Heine
Ilo Pellok eo an Nitijela ilo
47th Regular Constitutional Session
January 5, 2026
Reilik, Reimaan im Rujruj Wijla
Kokaal, Kalok im Kobobo
Iokwe im Happy New Year nan komwij kajojo, iloan Imon Kwelok in an Nitijela in ami, ro rej kobatok im ronjake pelakin Aelon Kein, im ilikin Aelon Kein.
• Kamolol Iroj Jemed ilan kin wonake eo an nan kijwoj im Aelon Kein ad iumin iio eo ej jemlok lok.
• Kile im Kauteej Manit eo: Chairman eo an Imon Irooj, Iroj Lanny Kabua, Vice Chairman Farrend Zackious, Irooj im lerooj ro im owner eo ilo mwin Imon Iroj im ro karejeraer; Irooj im lerooj ro an Majuro in im aolep Iroj im leroj ro iloan im ilikin aelon Kein. Kamolol kom kin ijoko konami nan kokajuur manit im jemdoon ko ad nan doon.
• Kile im Kautej kapun ko ad. Ri kaki Lawson Matauto, Chaplain eo an Nitiejla im eo karejeran; Ri-kaki im Kora-in-ri-Kaki ro Jined ilo aolep kapun ko kajojo. Kamolol kom kin ami kotak Kien in ami ilo jar ien otemjej.
• Kile Speaker Wase im Vice Speaker Zackras im ro Karejermiro; Ro Uaan Cabinet eo, Senator rein kajojo im ro karejerami;
• Kile Chief Justice Carl Ingram im Judge ro mottan ilo imon Ekajet eo an Aelon Kein, im ro karejerami bareinwot;
• Kile Chief Secretary eo, Chairperson eo an PSC im Commissioner eo mottan, Secretary ro im Ro Jeban ra ko kajojo im ra dik ko mottan Kien;
• Juon karuainene bareinwot kile eo ejenoklok nan Ambassador rein ad nan lal ko mottad, ekoba family ko ami bareinwot;
• Kile ro uaan diplomatic corp eo, Ambassadors rein an lal ko mottad jen Japan, ROC Taiwan, United States im Australia, ro mottad jen USAKA, ekoba honorary counsel ro im family ko ami kajojo.
• Kile Mayor im Council eo ad ilo Majuro in, im Mayor ro kajojo jen local government ko ad im ro karejeraer;
• Kile ro uaan private sector eo, doluul ko ilikin Kien ak NGO ko; kile aolep armej in Majol, ijoko otemjej.
Rainin, emoj an jejjet ruo iio jen tore eo Kien in ear ejaak, im jej kio delone tok iio jilu. Jej kamolol Iroj kin juon iio in jerbal eo elap tobrak ko raar bok jikier ie.
Ilo ad reimaanlok nan 2026, ejjelok kajitok ke elon bunten ko jej aikuj buki nan lemaanlok jerbal in kokaal, kalok im kebobo kein emoj aer ijjino nan komman bwe jokkun mour im weween an Kien keplaaki jerbal kein an ren emanlok.
1. Oktak ko ilo Lalin Rejelet Ailin Kein
Einwot ke jej mottan lalin, ukoktak ko rej walok ie rej bareinwot jelet lal jidikdik in ad. Jet ko raar bok jikier ilo Taiwan week eo lok im ilo Venezuela ilo Saturday eo kio. Ejjab jemlok ad emejraake ukoktak kein ilo aer ukotak weween an lal in jerbal ipan doon im ilo aer jelet bujen jemjera kein ad ipan lal ko mottad, ilo aer jelet im ko laplok wonaan mour, ekopa wonan export menin jeramman ko jej loi, einwot iik ko. Ad pukot ialan ad jelmae apan kein jej iooni ejjab jemlok.
Juon in tore ejjab pidodo. Ej juon ien “Reilik, Reimaan im Rujruj wijla.” Ilo kajin ejerakrok, jej rujruj wijla ne ej laplok koto. Term eo rej kojerabale ilo kajin English roj ba “reef the sail” ak “tilieje wijla ne bwe elap koto”.
Ien arto artak e jemjera kein ad ippan rein mottad ilo ad lale ial in maanwaj bwe jemjera kein ad ren repakpak lok im bwe weween ad kejparok aeneman, wonmaanlok, im jeramman eo an Armij in Majol en jab pedped wot ion rein jerad im mottad jen etto, ak en depakpak lok im kobaik jet jemjera ko rekaal. Ak ilontata bwe jen kate kij make ilo aolep weween lelonlok Aelon Kein ad.
Ej tomak eo ao in, im an Kien in ami, bwe en debakbaklok waween ad iuun foreign policy ak waween ad jerbal ibben lal ko jet, elaptata ilo an oktak. Ambassadors rein ad nan lal ko ilik repad Majuro rainin nan aer komman consultations ko renaj jipan ikijeen ad pukot jeramman kein.
Jilu iio jen ke ear jino bok jikin ilo 2023 eo, kattore Compact 3 ejanin likeo. Ewor jejjo eon ko Kien in ad im eo an Amedka rejanin erra ie ikijen weween an jerbal jet ian program ko ilo Compact in. Emoj an etal juon ad kajitok nan an Kien in ad jijet ipan Kien eo mottad, government-to-government, nan arto-artak im erra ipan doon kin melele ko re kwon nan jerbal kein.
Mekarta kapanpan kein, elon jerbal ko rellap raar bok jikier ilo 2025 eo nan kepooj kij nan ukoktak kein rej bok jikier i-pelaakin lal in im nan kokajoorlok weween an Kien komman im kejparok jeen. Jej komani oktak kein nan kojerabal weween jerbal ko rej kojerbal technology nan kapidodoik mellan im mokaj in jerbal, work smart!
2. Komman im Kejparok Jaan (Revenue Generation and Accountability)
Nitijela eo ad ear kollaiki elmakot eo an Cabinet nan kattore juon tax regime ekaal, ak waween aini jaan ko an Kien. Einwot amiwoj jela, tax regime eo ad ej juon eo emoj an motlok an ien.
Tax regime in ekaal im enaj bok jikin ilo October 2026, ej nan kajejet im kolablok weween aini jaan ko eo an Kien im rej juraake budget eo jej mour kake iio otemjej. Ministry eo an Finance, koba ipan juon private company, raar bareiwot jerbale juon waween nan kolablok jaan ko an Kien ilo ad wia kake im kojerbal men eo jij ba digital token, nae tan USDM1, im ilo an Kien eo naaj maron invest ak wiaiki treasury bond ko an Amedka, ko im roj komman nejier, weween in enaj maron bar kanne budget ko an Kien. Digital token in naaj bar komaron an armij ro kojerbale einwot juon currency ak tala ilo ailin ko elik im ejjelok bank ie.
Komman im kejparok jeen im bareinwot komani report ko aikuji nan bonbon ko an Kien rej men ko raurok. Jej kate kij bwe bonbon ko an fiscal iio 2022, 2023 im 2024 ren dedelok ekkar nan timeline eo karok ikotaan Kien kein ruo.
Ewor plan an Kien in mottad nan kabojrak jet ian money kein rej itok nan koj elane ejjab dedelok bonbon kien ilo ien eo karoke. Nan na mejlan aban in, ra eo an Finance ej hire elonlok accountants ak ribonbon ro nan kokajoorlok jerbal in jipan bonbon ko an Kien bwe renjab bar rumij, ekoba ko an component unit ko an Kien im local government ko bareinwot. Jen iio in im wonmaanlok, jabdewot component unit eo elikjab bonbon ko an naaj bojrak an ilok jeen in jipan ko nane jen Kien.
3. Infrastructure (Jikin Jerbal nan Kaddok lok Lal in Ad)
Elap an Kien lolorjake an kokkaal im kokmanmanlok infrastructure ak kein jerbal ko re aurok nan lal in ad im rej letok den, kokkon kopej ak sewer, komman jarom, ial ion mejatoto, lojet im ene emora, im ialan konono ko, ak communications. Jerbal in kokaal aolep kein jerbal kein re aurok raar jino bok jikier iio ko lok im naaj ilo iio kein maan waj. Jet iaan jerbal ko rej bok jikier kio, ko re-tobrak, im reimaanlok ko an Kien in ilo iio kein maanwaj ikijeen infrastructure rej ellajrak ijin:
• Kokaal im komman bwe en jokkun wot juon an itok jarom nan imoko imod/jikin jerbal ko ion Majuro im Ebeye ej wonmanlok wot. Ewor kio juon generator eo ejnolok ear elaak nan lale aikuj ko an armij ilo Laura. Mweo imon generators ko an Majuro emoj an jino ekkal im pojak nan an itok ruo generators iio in im 2 iio in lal. Kotopar eo in bwe en ekkal juon men eo rej ba smart electrical grid.
• Baluun ko ruo waan Air Marshall Islands kar kenono kaki emoj an dedelok jerbal ko nan buktok, rej elmokote ilo March in iio in. Jerbal eo elap kio maanwaj ej nan train ri jerbal ro kin weween kejparok palun kein re kaal im naj bij-i jikin jok im kelok ko ilo kajojo aelon.
• Ejjab etto im enaj jutak temporary terminal eo ilo AKIA nan kepooj jikin passengers ilo tore eo renaj kokaal lukkun terminal eo ilo jemlokin lok iio in.
• Jerbal ko nan kokaal jikin im weween leto letak den ko roreo nan an armij ro kojerbali emoj air bok jikier. Ilo iio eo ej jemloklok, jaar kobaiktok 11 million gallon ko ilo jikin kakon den ko ilo Majuro ilo an kar dedelok aiboj ko Kien eo an Japan ear jipan kij kaki.
• Ejja ikijeen den in mour wot, ACWA project eo emoj an tobar enanin aolep ailin ko ilikin im ilo iio in, jinaaj maron kadedelok jerbal in. Ne enaaj jejit kojerbal nien den kein rellap, armij rein nukid im mottad ilo ailin ko ilik rejjamin bar aikuij den.
• Jej bar kokaal jikin pipe in kopej ko, ak sewer line ko; ededolok kokkaal jikin pumb, ak pumb stations ko, an sewer eo ilo Majuro.
• Jerbal in kokaal im upgrade-i telecommunication services, ak waween letokletak enaan im melele, einwot men eo jij ba fiber to the home, emoj an ijino ilo Majuro in, im jij kotemene bwe enaaj ijino ilo Ebeye ejjab tok jen kio. Jipan jej itok jen grant ko jen US. Rainin elon wot iaan ailin ko ilik remaron tobar internet itok wot jen air kojerbal Starlink ko, ak jij melele bwe ewor waween ko jet nan kokmanmanlok service kein aolep ilo ailin ko ilik
• Mekarta ear lap ad buromij ke ear bwil, emoj an ijjino project in ekkal eo an mweo imon Nitijela im ej wonmaanlok wot nan an dedelok ilo August, kamolol kien eo an US kin jeen in jipan. Ilo juon weween, jej kamolol bwe enaj lukkun kaal im state of the art imon kwelok in an Aelon Kein. Elkin wot an dedlok, enaj jino ettor project in kalok RMI Capital Building eo an Aelon Kein.
• Ewor jerbal in kepojak ko emoj air bok jikier nan kalok ob ko, community center ko im jerbal in ekkal ko jet. Jaan ak money ko nan elon iaan jerbal ak project kein emoj aer dedelok, ijo erumij in kio ej an company in ekkal ko kommane ijo konair.
• Cabinet enaj bukot waween jeen ko nan kokaal im komman bwe aolep imon outer islands ren solarized. (Kamolol jerbal ko an NEO team ilo aer kar kokaal solar home systems ko ilo Ebon (182 em) im Aur (96 em) ilo iio eo ej jemlok lok).
Ilo tu kadu-in, jerbal kein ikijeen infrastructure, jemaron in ba elutolok project, ak ejabwe rikomani.
Ijo in me ej kalikkar nan kij aurok in armej rein ad. Ilo an ejjelok ro re ejmouir im ri kapeel in komani menin wonmaanlok kein ad, jej aikuj kottar ad boktok ri kapeel jen lal ko ilik. Kin menin, Kien in ej lukkun invested, ak komaat an maron nan kejparok armej rein ad.
4. Armij ro Mokta (Social Program and Policies) im Jukijukim Pad Ko
Elkin men otemjej, kejatdikdik eo an Aelon Kein epad ipan armij ro ad. Ejabwe menin jeramman ilo Aelon Kein nan ad kakke aolep aikuj ko ad. Ejmour, jelalokijen im kapeel ko ipeir rej kejatdikdik ko ad nan kakke aikuj im nan komokaj an eddoklok Aelon Kein. Elane ejelok armij ejelok Aelon Kein; elane ejabwe ejmour im kapeel ipeir, e rumij an eddeklok economy im jeramman eo an Aelon Kein. Un eo in im elap kij ko an ra ko an jelalokijen im ejnour ilo budget ko ad iio otremjej.
Ijelokin men kein, Kien eo ej tomak ilo lelok ajinkij nan kajojo armij, nan kepooj juon tokelik eo eman. Social program kein an Kien rej pedped ion tomak in ke Armij ro rej aikuj wor aer ajninkij jen Kien eo aer. Program in jipan kein rekaal im ko jet, rej elaajrak ijin, einwot:
• ECD – Early Childhood Development Program nan jipan kurae im ajiri ro ilal in 4 iio. World Bank grant rej jipan project in.
• ISD/ENRA – Individual Support Distribution. Jeen in ej ajeej aolep quarter nan kajojo armij, ear jino ilo November, 2025.
• Social Support Scheme – Kin jipan ko jen RMI govt. SSS enaj ijjino ilo January 2026 nan jipan aolep rutto ro 60 iio lonlok im ejelok aer jipan jen MISSA, ekoba ro ewor monjo ko ilo enbwinier im ilo kolmenlokijen ko air.
• END – Extraordinary Needs Distribution. Ear ijjino ilo Dec. 2025 kin tarrin in $20M. Ri tel ro an aelon ko kajojo rej keplaake weween an jerbal jeen in nan aikuj ko an armij ro. Einwot ENRA Trust Fund Committee ej etali im kwo weppani.
Ilo lajrak in aolep social support program kein an Kien re-kaal, jej bareinwot kamolol im jen jab meloklok jipan ko eto ad iminene kaki:1) ilo jikin takto nan ro rej pukot ejmour; 2) Jaan in jiban jen Kien nan lonaj wonaan waini, einwot ke wonaan ko jij wia kaki ilo market ko an lal in roj jet ko redik wot; 3) scholarship ak jaan in jiban ko nan rijikuul ro nejid im roj bukot jelalokijon ilo college ko.
Men eo aurok in bwe jipan kein, social program kein, ren jab pinej mejad jen ijoko konaad make nan wonmaanlok ko an family ko ad im lal in ad. E aurok bwe en laplok ar ekkatak im kojerbal kapeel ko an Rutto ro ad nan kojeramman kij. Ilo kar enaan eo ao ilo kebellok eo an Nitijela ilo 2024 eo, iaar kwalok melelein ke rutto ro ad raar util, eppeijek im tilmenooj! Kotobar eo in bwe kij rainin jen bar util, eppeijek im tilmenewoj.
Family ko rejeramman, ej kwalok juon lal eo ejeramman. Mekarta emoj an ijjino im ellok ENRA in ad ilo adwoj kar buki kolla ko ilo November eo, jen kate kij bwe jen jet ro re-util ilo pukot jeramman ko nan family ko, jet ro re-eppeijok im jela kilen kolaplok jeramman ko jej loi iman mejed, im jet ro re tilmenooj im tiljek ilo jela kejparok jeen ko jej loi nan na aikuj ko rellap an family im nan kepooj juon tokelik eo ejeramman nan ir.
Ad eddo bwe jen kalok juon lal eo im armij ro ie rej ellewetak im komman wonmaanlok ko rekkar nan ir im jukjukimpad ko aer, bwe jen jet ro remaron kake aikuj ko an armij ro ad. Tomak in bwe armij ro ej foundation ak bedbed eo an lal in ad, ej unintel eo an social policy ak jiban kein an Kien rej itok nan kijwoj kajojo.
5. Kepooj Kobban Lojeen Aelon Kein (Economic Security)
Rikapeel ro rej komman katu kin diklok im laplok in jeramman ilo ailin kein, rej kwalok ke ejamin kobokakak eddeklok eo an lal in ad ilo iio kane rellon rej pedo tok, kinke elon waween ak kabanban ko re jelmake kij, jet ko jej jab maron ella ioer, einwot: 1) ad ettolok jen market ko rellap; 2) jorran ko remaron jelet kij jen oktak in mejatoto; 3) an jabwe ri kapeel nan komani jerbal lonlon kein jej aikuji, 4) an emakut armij jen ailin kein, 5) an lap ad kojatdikdik ioon jaan ko jen Compact eo, im ebar wor un ko jet.
Kin menin, Economic Security ak kalok im kepooj kobban lojeen Aelon Kein enaj jerbal eo elap an Kien in ilo iio kein ruo eliktata in an jerbal nan kojeramman lal in.
Ilo ad bukot jeramman nan Aelon Kein, jet ian jerbal jenaj aikuj komani: 1) etale Economic Policy eo an Kien; 2) lale ia ko ekkar bwe en wor public private partnerships ko ie nan jipan kadoklok economy in ad; 3) pukot jipan ko nan business ko bwe ren maron eddeklok; 4) komman kon ko rebin ippan jet suppliers ro renaj mol nan kij ilo letok wonaan ko redik im rejejet; 5) kokmanmanlok ad ain data ko rej letok melele ko rekaal, mol, im jejjet (critical economic intelligence) nan jipan kij komman policy ko rekkar ilo weween boktok jeramman, 6) jenaj aikuj kalonlok ad economic partners, im 7) kadedeiklok jerbal in etale ko nan competent authority eo ad bwe jen maron jilkinlok men in jeramman ko jen Majol, einwot iik im ko jet jen lojet nan EU, Taiwan, Australia im lal ko jet.
Ilo ao kojemloke enaan jidik in ao ilo jibonin rainin, ij lomnak ejimwe im jejjot bwe in lelok ao kile im nebar nan aolep ro rej bok ijoko konair nan lonaj mour im jeramman ilo jukjuk-im-bed ko ad – ritol ro ad ilo Manit im ilo kabun ko kajojo, ri kaki ro ilo jikuul ko ad, policeman im policewoman ro roj emejrake ainemon im jokane, doctor im nurse ro roj wonake ajmour, im aolep ro jet roj bok konair nan lemanlok im lelonlok jokin mour ilo ailin kein ad. Jerbal ko rej kokajoor lal in ad.
Elap ao bar kile im kamolol rijerbal ro ad im rej emejrake jerbal ko raurok im reppin ipan lal ko ipelakin wod in bwil in im ipeakin lal in ko ikijeen climate change im environmental protection, human rights (Universal Periodic Report eo ej kab dedelok); kwelok ko ipan doluul in eonod ko einwot PNA, WPCFC im ko jet nan kejparok jeramman in bwe ro jet ren jab anemkwoje.
Kamolol aolep im Happy New Year. Kejatdikdik bwe 2026 enaj laplok aeneman im jeramman ilo lal in ilo Aelon Kein ad.
Anij en kolaplok an kojeraman im kojbarok Marshall Islands.
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Statement of Her Excellency Hilda C. Heine
Nitijela Opening
47th Regular Constitutional Session
January 5, 2026
“Renew, Revive, and Make Ready”
English Version
Iokwe and Happy New Year to each one of you, here in your Nitijela chambers, those listening in from across the Marshall Islands and beyond our shores.
• We give thanks to God our Father for His protection over each of us, and over our nation, throughout the past year.
• I extend my respect and recognition to our traditional leaders – Chairman of the Council, Irooj Lanny Kabua, Vice-Chairman Farrend Zackious, the traditional leaders and owner at the Council, and their spouses. I also extend my respect to the traditional leaders of Majuro and all traditional leaders across our nation, and those outside our nation. Thank you for upholding our culture and strengthening the spirit of respect among our people.
• I also acknowledge and honor our churches – Reverend Lawson Matauto, Chaplain of the Nitijela, and his good spouse; church leaders from the different faiths and denominations throughout our country. Thank you for keeping our government in your prayers.
• I wish to recognize Speaker Wase, Vice-Speaker Zackhras, and your good spouses; members of the Cabinet, members of the Nitijela, and your spouses.
• I offer my respect to Chief Justice Carl Ingram, his fellow justices of the Marshall Islands Judiciary, and their spouses.
• I wish to recognize the Chief Secretary, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission and fellow Commissioner, as well as our Secretaries and the Heads of all Departments, Agencies, and Offices.
• A warm welcome and special acknowledgement to our ambassadors serving among our friends and allies abroad, and their families.
• I wish to acknowledge the members of the diplomatic corps – our friends, the Ambassador of Japan and ROC Taiwan, the United States and Australia, our friends from U.S. Garrison Kwajalein Atoll, as well as our Honorary Consuls and their families.
• I wish to recognize the Mayor of Majuro and members of his Council, and all the Mayors from our respective local government councils, along with their spouses.
• I also wish to recognize members of our private sector, non-government organizations and community-based groups.
• Finally, I wish to acknowledge each and every one of you, my fellow citizens, here in our nation, or wherever you are in the world.
Today marks two years since this Administration began, and we now preparing to begin our third year. We give thanks to God for a productive year, and for what we were able to achieve.
As we look toward 2026, there is no doubt that much work lies ahead as we advance our efforts to “renew, rebuild, and make ready” work that is already underway, to improve the quality of life for our people, and strengthen the way our government fulfills its responsibilities.
1. Global Changes Impact the Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands is a member of the global community of nations, and as such we are impacted by changes in the global landscape. There were activities around Taiwan last week and in Venezuela this past Saturday. We continue to work tirelessly to monitor these changes that influence our foreign relations, their impact on the rising cost of living, and the increased cost of exporting our tuna products. We will spare no effort as we monitor and respond to these challenges.
These are challenging times. And as such, we must “look to the past, look ahead, and make ready” if we are to survive the coming storm. In sailing term, we must “reef the sail” as the wind has picked up considerably. I believe it is time for us to review, renew and strengthen our diplomatic efforts to correspond to shifting global landscape with a view to expand diplomatic ties, where appropriate, to ensure continued peace, progress, and prosperity for our nation. But above all, we must commit ourselves to learning, adapting, and strengthening our Republic from within.
I believe, as does this Government, that we must pursue a more proactive and strategic diplomatic posture as geopolitical dynamics continue to shift and evolve. Our Ambassadors serving among our friends and allies abroad are here in Majuro today to conduct consultations that will guide and support this effort.
Three years after its signing in 2023, the implementation of Compact III has not yet been fully realized. There are provisions of the Compact where our government and United States do not see eye to eye, particularly in how some of the programs under the agreement should be carried out. We have formally requested a government-to-government meeting with our friends from the United States so that we may discuss these matters directly and reach a mutual agreement on a way forward.
At the same time, much has been accomplished in 2025 to prepare our nation for the global changes ahead and to strengthen the Government’s ability to generate and safeguard its resources.
2. Revenue Generation and Accountability
Our Nitijela has passed a Cabinet bill to implement a new tax regime – a modernized system for how our government collects its taxes. As we all know, our current tax system is outdated and long overdue for reform.
This new tax system, which will be implemented in October of this year, is designed to improve and strengthen the way our government collects the revenues that rightfully belong to the people, and it will support the budget that sustains our nation year after year.
The Ministry of Finance, in partnership with a private company, has also developed an additional mechanism to increase government revenue through the sale and use of digital tokens known as USDM1. Through this new investment scheme, the RMI will be able to earn interests on U.S. Treasury bonds, which are used to back the USDM1 digital token. This will provide additional revenue for the RMI government and the national budget.
The digital token will also allow our people to use it as a form of currency on our atolls and islands where traditional banking service is not available.
Safeguarding public funds and producing the reports required for government audits is a key function of government. Our government is working diligently to ensure that the audits for Fiscal Years 2022, 2023, and 2024 are completed and submitted within the deadlines set by the RMI and US governments.
We have been advised by the U.S. that funding may be paused if audit deadlines are not met. To address this, the Ministry of Finance is bringing in additional accountants to strengthen and accelerate audit work across the RMI government, including all component units and local governments, to ensure there are no further delays. Beginning this year, any component unit that fails to complete its audit requirements will not receive RMI government funding.
3. Infrastructure
This government will spare no effort to ensure that critical infrastructures are built or upgraded to deliver essential services to provide reliable water, sewer service, electricity, air transportation, shipping, and communications to our people.
The upgrade of these critical infrastructures were implemented over the past few years. Some of these projects are already underway, others have been completed, and several major infrastructure initiatives are planned for the coming years:
1. Work is underway to renew and stabilize power distribution for households and workplaces on Majuro and Ebeye. After many years of hardship, a dedicated generator has now been installed to support the community of Laura. Construction of new generator buildings in Majuro has started and is on schedule to receive two new generators this year, with two more next year. The result of all this upgrade is to have a functioning smart electrical grid.
2. The two new aircrafts for AMI that we announced previously have now been completed, and all preparatory work to bring them to the Marshall Islands have been finalized. According to the latest update from the manufacturer, we expect the aircrafts to be released to us in March of this year. The task ahead now is to train our personnel to operate and maintain the new aircrafts, and to complete the paving of our airport runways on our neighboring islands.
3. In the near term, a temporary terminal at AKIA will be opened to accommodate passengers while a new permanent terminal will be constructed later this year.
4. Work to upgrade the facilities and systems that distribute clean and potable water to our people is already underway. Over the past year, we added 11 million gallons of capacity to the Majuro water reservoir, completing the project made possible with support from the Government of Japan.
5. The ACWA project has now reached nearly all our outer atolls and islands, and we anticipate completing the remaining work within this year. When these water catchment systems are properly utilized, our communities throughout the atolls and islands will have a dependable and sustainable supply of water.
6. The upgrade of sewer lines on Majuro is being prepared for implementation; all sewer pumps on the island have already been fully upgraded.
7. Work to renew and upgrade our telecommunications infrastructure including fiber-to-the-home services has already begun in Majuro, with similar efforts expected to start on Ebeye soon. This project is being funded by the United States government through a grant from the Rural Utilities Services. While many of our outer island communities now have internet access through Starlink, we recognize that additional measures are needed to further strengthen and expand these services across all outer islands.
8. The reconstruction of the Nitijela remains on schedule for completion in August of this year. When completed, work will commence on the construction of the RMI Capitol Building.
9. A number of construction projects are currently in progress, including dock development, community centers, and other essential facilities. Funding for many of these projects has already been secured. The delay now is from a lack of contractors with the capacity to implement the projects.
10. The Cabinet is now working to secure necessary funding to provide solar home systems to all outer islands. We acknowledge the NEO office for their work to replace and upgrade the solar home systems on Ebon and Aur atolls last year.
What is clear to me is that there are many infrastructure projects taking place simultaneously, but not enough people to implement them successfully.
This underscores the fundamental importance of our people. When we lack a healthy and capable workforce to carry out essential tasks, we are forced to rely on experts from abroad, which inevitably delays progress. For this reason, my administration is deeply committed to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens, and to uphold the fundamental principle that guides all of our efforts – “People First”.
4. People First
Our common hope for the future of the Marshall Islands rests with our people. Our nation does not possess the resources required to meet our every need. It is a healthy, educated, and a skilled population that we will meet these needs and accelerate our nation’s development and growth. Without our people, there is no Marshall Islands; and as long as health outcomes remain poor and essential skills are lacking, the growth of our economy and the many opportunities that should benefit our nation. This is why we allocate a majority of our national budget to the ministries of education and health.
Beside these priorities, my administration believes in providing direct support to individuals, to prepare them for a brighter future. Our social programs are grounded in the belief that our citizens deserve meaningful assistance from their government. Through this commitment, support is delivered through programs such as:
1. ECD – The Early Childhood Development Program provides financial assistance to support expectant mothers and children under five years of age. This project is supported through a World Bank grant.
2. ISD or ENRA is provided to individuals each quarter. ENRA distribution started in November 2025.
3. With support of the RMI government, the Social Support Scheme, will be launched this January, to provide assistance to anyone aged 60 and above who do not receive benefits from the government’s Social Security Program, as well as to individuals living with physical or mental disabilities.
4. END (Extraordinary Needs Distribution), was launched in December 2025 with an allocation of $20 million dollars. Community leaders under the END program are responsible for how the funds are utilized. Like the ENRA program, projects under the END must be approved by the Compact Trust Fund Committee.
In view of the government’s new social support programs, we must not lose sight of pre-existing programs that have our people have relied on for many years: 1) affordable hospital services for those in need of medical care, 2) copra subsidy to raise local copra prices while international market prices remain low; and 3) scholarships for students pursuing a college education.
What is critical, however, is that we do not allow these public support programs to become blinders to our personal responsibility towards our families and our nation. We must look to our past, to the wisdom and resiliency of our ancestors to help us help ourselves. In my address at the Opening of the Nitijela in 2024, I said that our ancestors were resourceful, ingenious, and diligent. That same spirit must guide us now to be resourceful, to be brave, and to remain steadfast in all that we undertake.
Thriving families are the backbone of a thriving nation. Even with ENRA now in place and distributions received this past November, we must not allow this support to narrow our vision or weaken our resolve. We must continue to be resourceful for our families, creative in expanding the opportunities before us, and diligent in safeguarding the resources we have. By upholding these values, we ensure that our families’ needs are met, and that they are prepared for a bright and promising future.
It is our responsibility to build a future in which our people can stand with pride and make progress that reflects both our individual needs and those of their communities. This conviction that our people are the foundation of our nation guides my administration’s social policies and the support provided to every individual.
5. Economic Security
Economic experts have predicted that the economic forecast for our country will be unimpressive due to many obstacles and challenges facing our small nation such as 1) our distance from global markets, 2) adverse impacts of climate change, 3) lack of skilled labor, 4) out migration, and 5) dependency on Compact funds, and for other similar reasons.
Because of these reasons, it will be my administration’s singular focus over the next two years to bring about a development agenda that would lay the groundwork for a more viable economic future for our country.
As we work towards this goal, we must 1) revisit and evaluate our economic policies, 2) establish public-private partnerships where appropriate to help grow our economy, 3) put in place appropriate mechanisms to grow our business sector, 4) establish long-term arrangements with global suppliers to support local businesses, 5) provide better economic intelligence through robust data and current information, 6) increase economic partnerships, and 7) complete accreditation of our Competent Authority so that more of our marine products could be exported to the EU, Taiwan, Australia and other nations.
As I close my remarks this morning, it is only fitting that I acknowledge and honor all those who work each day to bring health and prosperity to our communities – our traditional and church leaders, the teachers in our schools, the police officers who keep vigil to safeguard our peace, the doctors and nurses who provide life-saving care, and every one of you that contribute meaningfully to improve life in our communities. Your service strengthens our nation.
I also wish to acknowledge and thank all our workers for their dedicated efforts across the Pacific and around the world advancing climate action, environmental protection, and human rights, including the recent completion of our Universal Periodic Report; participation in regional bodies such as the PNA, WCPFC, and others to continue to safeguard our resources and ensure they are not exploited unsustainably.
Thank you all and Happy New Year. As we welcome 2026, we look forward to continued peace and prosperity for the Marshall Islands.
May God continue to watch over and protect the Marshall Islands.
