RMI President Christopher Loeak delivered an inspiring call to action in his State of the Nation address, highlighting accomplishments and challenges related to public sector reforms (taxes, public sector employment and State-Owned Enterprises), education, health, fisheries, alternative energy, and climate change.   Ambassador Armbruster, Deputy Chief of Mission Doug Carey, U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll (USAG-KA) Commander Colonel Shannon Boehm and USAG-KA Public Affairs Officer Bill White attended the President’s address at the opening ceremony of the 2013 session of the Marshall Islands Nitijela on Monday, January 7.  The President noted the assistance provided by development partners such as the United States and the importance of economic diplomacy and private sector development.  He also called on the nation to undertake a “change of mindset”, emphasizing that “the best solutions come from within – within ourselves, our families, our communities.”  The RMI government has an ambitious plan of for economic reforms to facilitate development, attract investment, and positively impact the lives of the Marshallese people.  After the speeches and ceremony, the participants were invited to a lunch hosted by Speaker Donald Capelle and featuring that featured a group of Marshallese dancers whose energy echoed the President’s motivational address.  The U.S. Embassy will continue to support the RMI in these efforts and we wish the Nitijela leaders well in the hard work ahead.

By U.S. Embassy Marshall Islands | 8 January, 2013 | Topics: News