46 OCTOBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL such as responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, supplying U.S. vaccines to the region truly saved lives and was one of the most important accomplishments of our work in Palau. On climate, Palau is a global leader in efforts to protect the ocean environment. While in Koror, I had the privilege to host the U.S. delegation to the 2022 Our Ocean Conference. Co-hosting with the U.S., Palau was the first island nation to welcome this major international event. The gathering brought together hundreds of representatives from government, civil society, and industry, and succeeded in raising $16.35 billion and 410 specific commitments to protect the world’s oceans. Coming just after Palau opened its borders post- pandemic, it was a huge accomplishment for this small post. We were honored to have Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and former Secretary of State John Kerry lead the U.S. delegation. Embassy Koror contributed in its own unique way: Working closely with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations and in cooperation with State’s Greening Diplomacy Initiative, Embassy Koror has the distinction of being the first net-zero U.S. diplomatic facility in the world. Small posts can achieve great things. A Call to Serve In Palau, the U.S. embassy is fortunate to have a resident U.S. Civic Action Team (CAT), the only one remaining in the world. A tri-service (Navy, Army, Air Force) rotational deployment, CAT has been present in Palau for more than 50 years, well before the opening of our small diplomatic post. The CAT team has completed millions of hours of service and support, assisting with small construction projects, providing free medical care, maintaining historic monuments and battle sites, and assisting with so many other community-focused projects and events. In terms of winning hearts and minds, these military diplomats are such an important part of our country team and whole-of-government effort to ensure we have the strongest possible relationship with Palau. Embassy Koror continues to partner with Palau on issues of real substance and strategic consequence for both of our nations, for the region, and globally. So, for anyone in the Foreign Service who has a spirit of adventure and wants to be at the top of the wave in navigating these challenging dynamics, bid on a job in the Pacific Islands. While the embassies may be small, and service in the Pacific can be difficult, this is a unique experience with the opportunity to have an impact on issues that matter. One of my favorite island sayings is the following: “There is an island of opportunity in the middle of every difficulty.” If you want to be on the front lines of expeditionary diplomacy, working on some of the world’s most complex and consequential challenges, consider serving in one of America’s small island posts in the Pacific. n Palau is a global leader in efforts to protect the ocean environment. Co-hosting with the U.S., Palau welcomed the annual Our Ocean Conference in April 2022. It was the first time an island nation had hosted this major international event launched by the State Department in 2014. The “Freely Associated States” of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands—with which the U.S. recently extended a 20-year support contract, the Compacts of Free Association (COFA)—make up the bulk of one of the three major regions of Oceania, Micronesia. Together with the other two major regions, Melanesia and Polynesia (see inset), this vast area in the Pacific is known as the Blue Continent. IAN MACKY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODIyMDU=