HONOLULU, HAWAII – February 21, 2026 — On the margins of the Pacific Agenda Summit in Honolulu, Her Excellency Hilda C. Heine joined His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and His Excellency Wesley W. Simina for a dinner meeting to discuss strengthening cooperation within the Micronesian subregion and the Freely Associated States (FAS).
President Heine congratulated Palau on its incoming Chairmanship of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and expressed support for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to be hosted in Koror later this year.
The leaders acknowledged ongoing preparations for upcoming international engagements, including pre-COP discussions, and reiterated the Pacific’s shared commitment to amplifying the voices of vulnerable atoll nations facing the impacts of sea-level rise. As part of the discussion, President Heine also expressed hope for reconvening the MPS ahead of the upcoming Forum Leaders Meeting to further coordinate subregional priorities.
President Heine concluded by reaffirming the Marshall Islands’ dedication to unity, partnership, and collective action in advancing the interests of Micronesia and the broader Pacific region.
