[Brief translation]
"The sea surrounding Palau is the most beautiful one in the whole world. But few knows it has the most serious problem suffering from water in the world." It is a nation consisting of some 200 small islands, located at about 1200km south from Guam. The islands with coral reef and volcano are admiringly referred to "the last paradise of the world." Since his assumption of the presidency in 2001, Mr. Remengesau Jr., President has been tackling water issue as the top priority subject. In spring that year, Palau signed the agreement on OTEC research and technology with Saga University. Last fall, Palau held an international forum on seawater desalination with using natural energy and made exertions for adoption of 'Palau Declaration' which calls for water resource management and establishment of desalination technology.