Security – The people of Palau deserve to have security at all levels of their lives and in their community. New and emerging threats against governments and peoples require new approaches to dealing with conflicts. We need to explore all appropriate measures aimed at addressing and resolving root causes of conflicts so that we can diffuse and prevent threats to security. Security is not limited to ensuring that we are relatively safe from threats to our Republic and ourselves; it extends as well to the protection of property and environment. Toward this end, funding for the Ministry of Justice must be appropriately distributed to ensure adequate patrol and staffing of law enforcement agencies in order to keep criminal activities to a minimum.

Health Care – We need to continue supporting our current health care infrastructure so that it keeps pace with modern technology and new medicine. Adoption of Western diets and lifestyles has contributed to the occurrence of many diseases and health problems unfamiliar to us in earlier times. We not only need to keep pace with modern medical technology to deal with these health concerns, we must explore newer approaches to health maintenance such as preventive medicine and adoption of healthier lifestyles. Part of the strategy for developing our health care system must include assisting new health care professionals acquire appropriate training, including active recruitment of Palauan health care providers living abroad, so that we can strengthen our national capacity for delivering quality health care to all Palauans.

Education – Primary and secondary education of Palau’s younger generations is fundamental to the long-term success of developing Palau as an independent Republic. This can be achieved through various imaginative programs such as using scholarships to assist students and working with selected schools abroad that can help Palau students achieve their educational goals. Establishment of “seats” at foreign universities, for example, will contribute to aiding and assisting Palau students to complete their training successfully. Education is a necessary component for successfully attaining national economic goals, including assisting democracies evolve and thrive. Toward this end, we intend to support education at all levels in Palau.

Economy – Employment and better livelihood is a must. We need to orient our economy toward more self-reliance and sustainability as an urgent national goal. In line with a self-reliant economy, the government must ensure that the private sector grows and develops. Palau’s limited resources require that foreign investment, with conditions that advance Palau’s broad national interests and social well-being, should be stimulated to assist Palauans develop a strong and vibrant economy. We must continue to foster our unique relationship with the United States, and actively seek more technical assistance, rather than money alone, to assist us in developing our economic policy on proper use of grants, foreign aid, etc.

Environment – Article V1 of the National Constitution sets forth the responsibilities of the national government to attain the objectives of conserving and maintaining a beautiful and healthful natural environment. These Constitutional mandates and additional legislations created to conserving and protecting our environment are minimum standards requiring our utmost support. We commit to supporting and enhancing existing programs including all National, State and Civil Society efforts to protect and preserve our natural environment. At the same time and, recognizing the need to explore and utilize our natural resources to meet our economic and national development objectives that will not compromise the sustainability of our environment and, to the extent achievable, with the latest advancements in environmental technology, engineering, and science.

Culture – Palau’s unique culture heritage must be integrated into our national development plans and educational system, so that they are enhanced and perpetuated. Palau’s schools play an important role in the assimilation of our youth into our traditional way of life. Therefore, it is important to support educational programs that enhance appreciation and preservation of our culture. Additionally, we need to support programs and activities that reinforce our appreciation of other cultures. Preservation of cultural diversity is an important aspect of a nation’s cultural literacy, and we intend to integrate cultural preservation in all its aspects in our vision and plans for Palau.