Diplomacy & Climate Ocean Work: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. defended its Taiwan ties amid China pressure and urged Japan to expand cooperation on tourism, fisheries, maritime security and ocean conservation. Coral Reef Resilience: Palau took part in the 51st U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting in Puerto Rico, pushing coral bleaching response and reef resilience through international collaboration. PICRC Training: PICRC hosted a ReefCloud workshop in Kosrae to boost regional coral monitoring skills using ReefCloud tools. Local Marine Education: Angaur students joined PICRC outreach with hands-on marine science and conservation activities, from plankton viewing to coral restoration practice. Community-Led Conservation: Melekeok and Ngiwal signed Palau’s first regional marine conservation partnership blending traditional Bul knowledge with modern fisheries and coastal protection. Water Security: Palau highlighted mounting pressure on aging water systems and drought risks at the Palau Development Symposium. Waste & Circular Economy: A student recycling proposal won top honors at the 2026 Palau Development Symposium by turning reusable scrap into sellable products. Regional Ocean Summit: Whipps will co-chair the inaugural Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo, focused on ocean governance and climate resilience. Taiwan Visit: Taiwan VP Hsiao Bi-khim is set to visit Palau to strengthen bilateral ties and promote sustainable tourism sites.