APIL adopts 20 resolutions on fuel, shipping, postal access, nuclear fallout task force and bylaws; Kiribati nominee elected vice president

The Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL) adopted a package of 20 resolutions during its General Assembly in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The body also elected a new vice president (nominee from the Republic of Kiribati) by voice vote and approved an amendment to APIL bylaws to permit specified virtual meeting conduct.

Key adopted items (titles abbreviated):

- APIL Resolution 42 GA 01: Honor and commend the Hon. Diego Tenorio Benavente (adopted, voice/roll call). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 02: Establish special committee to assess and recommend lowering rising fuel costs (adopted). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 03: Request FDIC‑insured banks in Micronesia to review loan interest rates (adopted). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 04: Urge member states to cooperate against illegal drugs; amended to transmit copies to specified U.S. federal officials including DHS and DEA (adopted as amended). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 05: Request collaboration with U.S. Department of the Interior (referred in transcript as Department of War by speakers) on invasive species (adopted). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 06: Request APIL president establish and appoint members to a task force on nuclear‑fallout impact and regional advocacy (adopted; see separate coverage). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 07: Request extension of Guam/CNMI visa waiver to include Kiribati (adopted as amended to update federal agency names). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 08: Advocate U.S. federal assistance to reevaluate fuel supply routes (adopted). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 09: Urge Japan and the United States to provide assistance to FSM (Chuuk) for Rio de Janeiro shipwreck oil‑spill mitigation (adopted). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 10: Request the Micronesian Shipping Commission review policies to lower ocean freight costs (adopted). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 11: Urge United Airlines to engage with APIL transportation officials to analyze airfare and cargo pricing and explore ways to reduce costs (adopted). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 12: Request RMI/Palau/FSM presidents take action with U.S. postal officials to restore mail/package routing to the U.S. (adopted with technical amendment to name the U.S. Postal Service). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 13: Amend APIL bylaws (adopted; effective date amended to 2025‑12‑01; additional clauses require current officers to execute necessary documents before term end; rules to permit virtual meetings for specified board votes not including the annual board/general assembly). - APIL Resolution 42 GA 14–20: Miscellaneous measures including support for a Micronesian regional education summit, expression of appreciation to hosts and sponsors, Medicaid extension appreciation and other administrative matters (all adopted).

Voting and procedure notes: where recorded vote counts were given in the transcript, adoptions recorded unanimous support among nine members present (tallies reported as nine yes votes); other adoptions were by voice vote or unanimous consent. Several amendments were adopted on the floor to update recipient agencies or clarify implementation (for example, updating federal office names and adding requirement that copies be transmitted to relevant U.S. delegates and agencies). The assembly asked the APIL president to follow up on implementation items such as establishing the nuclear task force, transmitting documents to U.S. congressional delegates and agencies, coordinating with shipping and airline stakeholders, and working with postal authorities to restore mail service.

Selected actions recorded in meeting minutes (summary of implemented decisions):

- Task force on nuclear fallout: adopted (APIL 42 GA 06) — APIL president to establish membership and transmit materials to U.S. congressional delegates and other agencies. - Bylaws amendment: adopted (APIL 42 GA 13 as amended) — effective date set to 2025‑12‑01; virtual meeting provisions limited to non‑annual board votes. - Shipping, fuel, and airfare resolutions: adopted; APIL will request engagement with Micronesian Shipping Commission, United Airlines, and U.S. agencies to explore policy and operational remedies for high freight and airfare costs.

Elections and appointments: The assembly elected the Kiribati nominee as APIL vice president by voice vote and asked APIL officers and staff to follow up on outstanding appointments and officer vacancies.