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APIL delegates start arriving for general assembly
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Posted on Jun 19 2012
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Reporter
Lawmakers and other dignitaries from the region have started arriving for the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures’ 31st General Assembly that will open tomorrow, Legislative Bureau director Melchor Mendiola said yesterday.
Mendiola said the first few delegates arrived on Sunday and Monday, but a majority will arrive today.
APIL’s general assembly seeks to foster regional cooperation on a host of issues such as tourism, airlines, environmental protection, and economic development.
The four-day event is expected to draw over 50 off-island visitors and some 150 from the CNMI.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial will deliver the opening remarks, while U.S. Office of Insular Affairs’ Nikolau Pula will be the keynote speaker. The opening ceremony will start at 9am on Wednesday
The first morning session will also see a call to order by APIL president Rebluud Kesolei of Palau, followed by roll call of member entities by APIL vice president Judith Won Pat of Guam.
Member delegations will also deliver opening remarks, including those from American Samoa, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae, Yap, Guam, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Hawaii, and the CNMI.
The presentations include those on tourism and airlines, cruise line industry, and connecting the Blue Continent, and natural resources.
