[August 26, 2026] — The Republic of Palau has been confirmed as the host of the 55th General Assembly and 89th Council Meeting of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU) in 2027, following the successful conclusion of the 54th General Assembly and 88th Council Meeting held in Tokyo, Japan, from August 24–26, 2026. The Palau National Group was composed of members of both houses of the OEK including, Senator Secilil Eldebechel as President of the National Group, Delegate Warren S. Umetaro, Delegate Mengkur W. Rechelulk, Senator Rukebai Kikuo Inabo, Senator Kazuki L. “Topps” Sungino, Ambassador Peter Adelbai, and three staffers.
The meetings brought together parliamentary delegations from 12 APPU member national groups and one associate group, including Palau, Japan, Taiwan, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Naoero, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Guam. The meetings were held under the theme, “Inter-parliamentary Cooperation for Maintaining a Free and Open Economic Order and Strengthening Regional Supply Chain Resilience.”
During the 88th Council Meeting, APPU members approved the organization’s financial reports and budget and welcomed the confirmation that Palau would host the 55th General Assembly in 2027. Details regarding the date and theme of the 2027 General Assembly will be communicated to APPU members through the APPU Central Secretariat at a later date.
The General Assembly considered a number of resolutions addressing regional economic and supply chain resilience, food security, marine environmental cooperation, and artificial intelligence policy. Among the resolutions adopted was a proposal submitted by the Republic of Palau calling on APPU member states to encourage support for coordinated artificial intelligence development policies across the Asia-Pacific region. The resolution was formally adopted.
Other adopted resolutions focused on strengthening regional economic connectivity, developing democratic and resilient supply chains, advancing food supply chain resilience, and realizing a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Asia-Pacific region.
At the closing ceremony, the Joint Communiqué was formally adopted. The Republic of Palau delivered an address and extended an invitation to APPU delegates to attend the 55th General Assembly in Palau in 2027. The Joint Communiqué was signed in Tokyo on August 26, 2026, by representatives of the participating APPU national and associate groups, including Senator Secilil Eldebechel on behalf of the Republic of Palau.
Palau looks forward to welcoming APPU member and associate delegations in 2027 and continuing its contribution to regional parliamentary dialogue, cooperation, and efforts to strengthen a resilient and inclusive Asia-Pacific region. #
