His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps Jr. is the 10th President of the Republic of Palau, having assumed office on 21 January 2021. Born on 9 August 1968 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, he is the son of Surangel Whipps Sr. and Marilyn C. Whipps. At the age of four, his family returned to Palau, where he spent his formative years. President Whipps earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics from Andrews University and later obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Before entering politics, President Whipps was a prominent businessman, serving as the president and CEO of Surangel & Sons Company, a diversified conglomerate in Palau. His political career began with his election to the Senate of Palau, where he served two terms from 2008 to 2016. In the 2020 presidential election, he campaigned on a platform emphasising economic diversification and transparency, leading to his election as president.
Under his leadership, Palau has strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability, particularly in marine conservation. President Whipps has been a vocal advocate for climate action, emphasising the existential threats posed by climate change to island nations. His administration continues to work towards balancing economic development with the preservation of Palau’s rich natural heritage.