The president of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures, Rebluud Kesolei, says the group's priorities should be strengthening their economies and protecting their environment.
Speaking during the opening of APIL's 31st general assembly on Saipan in the Northern Marianas, Mr Kesolei says most APIL member jurisdictions have limited flights, as well as costly shipping costs, that impede the development and maintenance of their tourism.
He says some islands have flights only once or twice week.
The lawmaker from Palau also hopes that other airlines will also invest in the Pacific just like what Continental Airlines/United Airlines had one.
Rebluud Kesolei also says island territories including Palau, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands are now seeing the impacts of global warming and climate change, with some atolls now submerged in water.
