Her Excellency Dr. Hilda C. Heine attended the opening ceremony of the Island States Ocean Summit, “Sustainable Ocean Action for Resilient Islands,” in Tokyo, Japan on June 3, 2026.
President Heine joined fellow leaders and delegates at the opening of the Island States Ocean Summit, the first international gathering dedicated specifically to oceans and island nations.
The ceremony, held in the presence of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan, who delivered welcome remarks, featured an address by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chairman of The Nippon Foundation and host of the summit also spoke along with H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, and H.E. Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau and Co-Chair of the Summit.
The Island States Ocean Summit provides an important opportunity for island nations to elevate shared priorities and strengthen international cooperation toward achieving sustainable oceans and a resilient future for generations to come.
