OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)

Assistant Secretary has now completed travel to each of the three freely associated states each of which have an important relationship with the United States under their respective Compact of Free Association.

Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today completed her first official visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) where she met with Governor Albert Bryan and other island leaders to emphasize the agency’s commitment to the people of the territory. 

The APIPA 2022 conference provided training for auditing and financial accountability officials required by government auditing standards for auditors to maintain their professional competency. Thirteen (13) two-hour and four-hour courses were delivered during the conference in Plenary, Audit, and Finance tracks. More than 507 participants joined the conference, expanding their skills in government auditing and financial standards, audit report writing, grants management, leadership, risk, and internal controls. In total, over 2,785 course certificates were awarded for 7,028 credit hours.

Assistant Secretary Cantor visited with Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio and announced that $15 million in funding for climate change technical assistance will be made available under the Inflation Reduction Act for American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

“The Department of the Interior is committed to providing support and assistance in the launch of the bilateral Palau Economic Advisory Group” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “We commend Palau for hosting the first meeting and applaud the EAG for taking the time to meet in Palau and begin these important conversations.”

This final batch of funding will support food security through mangrove crab farming, water security, student development, utilities management, and more,” said Assistant Secretary Cantor. “These are important priorities in the Insular Areas that help promote resiliency and well-being in their respective communities.

"Funding through the Compacts of Free Association has provided important, reliable support for both the health and education sectors in the FSM, just as the Compacts themselves have provided a solid foundation for democratic governance, peace and security in the larger Indo-Pacific region," said Assistant Secretary Cantor.