Palau

More information about Palau is available on the Palau Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-PALAU RELATIONS

Following World War II, in 1947 under UN auspices as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the United States assumed administration of Palau. In 1982, Palau signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Palau gained its independence and established diplomatic relations with the United States in 1994, with the entry into force of the Compact, under which the U.S. remains responsible for Palau's defense for 50 years. Palau is a sovereign nation and conducts its own foreign relations. The United States and Palau cooperate on a broad range of issues, including strengthening regional security, promoting sustainable development and curbing climate change, and protecting fisheries and the environment. Approximately 500 Palauans serve as volunteers in the U.S. armed forces, and in recent years Palau has voted with the United States at the UN on more occasions that any other foreign state.

U.S. Assistance to Palau

The United States and Palau signed a comprehensive review of the Compact in 2010, with a wide range of federal programs to continue for the next 15 years. By the end of 2010, the value of a trust fund set up under the Compact was approximately $160 million.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The Compact Review has identified US/Palauan cooperative efforts to promote trade and investment in Palau which will complement current initiatives to expand and develop a healthy economic partnership.

Palau's Membership in International Organizations

Palau and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Palau is Helen Patricia Reed-Rowe; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Palau maintains an embassy in the United States at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006 (tel: 202-452-6814).

More information about Palau is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Palau Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Palau Page
U.S. Embassy: Palau
History of U.S. Relations With Palau
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Travel and Business Information