Chad er a Beluu: People. Capability. Leadership

Fono 2026 Theme

Welcome from the Chair

Alii and warm Pacific greetings. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Palau and the Palau Bureau of Human Resources, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Fono 2026: Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference.

This year holds special significance for Palau as we have the privilege of hosting and chairing the Fono on behalf of the Micronesia sub-region. We are honoured to welcome Public Service Commissioners, senior officials, partners, and colleagues from across our Blue Pacific to Koror and to share with you the culture, hospitality, and leadership traditions of Palau.

The theme of this year’s Conference, Chad er a Beluu – People. Capability. Leadership., reflects our belief that strong public services begin with people. Our capability as institutions and our effectiveness as leaders are ultimately shaped by our ability to invest in our workforce, support one another, and work together in service of our communities.

The challenges facing Pacific public services are significant and increasingly shared. Workforce pressures, technological change, leadership succession, integrity, and the delivery of regional priorities require thoughtful leadership and practical solutions. No country faces these challenges alone. Through the Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Group, we have a unique opportunity to draw on the collective knowledge, experience, and wisdom of our region. Fono 2026 has been designed to build on the priorities agreed by Leaders in Fiji in 2025 and provide space for meaningful dialogue, reflection, and learning. We hope the discussions throughout the week strengthen existing relationships, create new connections, and inspire practical actions that support public services across the Pacific.

As Chair, my hope is that delegates leave Palau not only with new ideas and insights, but also with a renewed sense of collective purpose and confidence in the contribution that Pacific public services make to the wellbeing, resilience, and future of our region.

Thank you for making the journey to Palau. We wish you a productive and rewarding week and look forward to sharing this experience with you.

Terralyn Nabeyama

Director, Bureau of Human Resources

Republic of Palau

Chair, Fono 2026: Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference

Fono 2026: Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference Resources