Palauan leaders were junketing all over the world last week attending various international meetings, conferences, and businesses and returning home this week to find their people in celebration mood in preparation for Independence Day on Sunday, October 1, 2017. 

Palau regained its sovereignty and took control of its government by declaring independence and putting into full force its national constitution on October 1, 1992 as a modern democratic country. The theme for this year's Independence Day is "RENEWING OUR DEDICATION TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE OUR TRADITIONAL HERITAGE AND OUR NATIONAL IDENTITY." 

Starting this week on September 25th until the 30th, activities are happening in preparation for celebration of the 23th Independence on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Ngerulmud, the national capitol in Melekeok. The activities include sports, school essay competition on national identity and patriotism, EU film festival, opening of Palau Civil Hall, presentation of ambassadorial credentials, Independence Day Cocktail Reception, Taro Patch and Marine Conservation Tour, Night Market, Walk for Life, final sport events, Rock Island Trip, and President State Dinner. On Sunday, October 1, the events at Ngerulmud start in morning with activities opening the celebration followed by opening of booths and entertainment and with family oriented programs in evening and concluded with fireworks from 7 to 7:30pm.

On Monday, October 2, a holiday, there will be speed boat race at 12 noon at Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge and followed by traditional boat exhibition and demonstration. On the globetrotting leadership, President Remengesau was in New York last week with a large entourage including Senator Kerai Mariur, Delegate Marino Ngemaes, ministers, ambassadors, and other officials, participating in the 72th UN Annual General Assembly.

The President signed the Nuclear Ban Treaty, delivered a statement at the General Assembly, and Palau entered diplomatic ties with some EU nations. OEK members including Senate VP Mark Rudimch, Sen. Aric Nakamura, HOD Vice Speaker Lucio Ngiraiwet and Del. Yutaka Gibbons were in Tokyo attending the assembly of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians Union(APPU), the largest organization' of legislative (law-making) bodies of most Asia and Pacific countries.

In the meantime, Senate President Hokkons Baules and Speaker Sabino Anastacio were in Manila and Singapore on a private trip while the two women senators, Uduch Senior and Rukebai Inabo were in the Solomons attending the 5th Pacific Women's Parliamentary Partnerships Forum. Minister Umiich Sengebau was in Apia, Samoa to chair the 28th SPREP meeting this week.