For every elector there is an alternate . <| sep |> So then how did Dick Cheney end up with so much control ? <| sep |> ArticleRemengesau signs Beyond Oceans DeclarationNovember 18 , 2016 President Tommy E . Remengesau Jr . noted key points during signing the Beyond Oceans Declaration at Marrakech during the COP 22 emphasizing Palau ' s commitment to protecting the oceans . 2016 has indeed been a momentous year with the rapid entry into force of the Paris Agreement , and the decision to convene the UN Conference on Oceans and Seas , cochaired by Fiji and Sweden , both leaders on ocean conservation . We must take this political momentum and good will and transform it into action . Many of the most damaging impacts of climate change for the Pacific are felt first in our oceans and coastal environment . For Palau , as for all island and coastal countries , the Ocean is life . Our longterm prosperity depends on the actions we take today to protect our marine ecosystems . We all know that what is good for the oceans is good for the climate and fundamental for the food security and livelihoods of islands . So , like many islands , we are charting our own unique path to sustainable development . With the Palau National Marine Sanctuary a marine reserve the size of France Palau , like the Seychelles , Hawaii , New Caladonia and other islands , has taken a major step toward healthy oceans and reef systems that are more resilient to climate change . Marine protected areas are critical to allow marine biodiversity to recover and fish stocks to rebound and replenish neighboring waters . Marine reserves are also critical to increasing resiliency locally and globally to climate change . Oceans are the Earth ' s biggest carbon and heat sink . Protected areas help to restore ocean health and increase biomass , to enable the ocean to continue to function as an effective carbon sink and moderate the effect of climate change . Palau is proud to count on the partnerships of the Government of Monaco , Italy , Japan , Republic of China Taiwan , Australia and many others that help us work towards effectively protecting our marine sanctuary . We must also thank the Government of Monaco is for its support of the Pacific Islands Ocean Acidification Partnership , which will advance research and practical adaptation measures such as strengthening protection of seagrass and mangrove habitats to make coastal ecosystems more resilient to ocean acidification . We are taking action to protect and sustainably manage our oceans in the Pacific , but we need the partnership of all nations . We need more nations to join us and establish large marine protected areas . And we need more countries to step up and ratify the Port State Measures Act to help us enforce our marine protected area , keep illegal fish out of the market , and work toward a sustainable fishing future for all our countries . Palau looks forward to working with all of you to protect our oceans for generations to come .