List of events
The following lists events that happened during 2021 in the Republic of Palau.
Events
Ongoing – COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
January
- January 2 – Palau receives 2,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine in a special contribution from the United States. The government announced that it will vaccinate healthcare workers first and then vaccinate seniors and people with medical conditions.[1]
February
- February 5 - Palau announces its intention to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum after claiming fraudulence in the recent election for the organization's Secretary General.[4]
- February 6 - The leaders of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands announce that they will meet on Monday to discuss leaving the Pacific Islands Forum after Marshallese candidate Gerald Zackios was not chosen as Secretary-General.[5]
- February 8 - The Palau National Congress passes a joint resolution supporting the decision made by President Surangel Whipps Jr. to leave the Pacific Islands Forum. The National Congress says that the "gentleman's agreement was not honored".[6]
- February 9 - Five countries: Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Nauru, officially withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum over a disagreement regarding the choice of the forum's new Secretary-General.[7]
- February 22 - Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama urges the leaders of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, and Palau to reconsider their decision of leaving the Pacific Islands Forum and says that this is an opportunity to fight climate change. Bainimarama also invites U.S. President Joe Biden to the next forum meeting in August.[8]
April
May
- May 31 - Palau announces their first recorded case of COVID-19 in a fully vaccinated person who travelled from Guam on May 9 and tested positive after 21 days in quarantine.[10]
August
- August 9 - Palau reaches herd immunity as 80% of its 12-and-over population are vaccinated against COVID-19. Plans to vaccinate teenagers are underway as tourism reopens in the country.[11]
September
December