British Consul-General Paul Rennie has visited the Northern Marianas and Guam Photo: Supplied
British Consul-General Paul Rennie has visited the Northern Marianas and Guam - the first UK diplomat of his rank to do so.
Rennie called the trip "overdue" but essential, as the United Kingdom looks to deepen ties with island communities across the Pacific.
"This was the first visit in history by a serving British Consul-General," Rennie said.
"While we've had British military visiting the islands before - such as [the ship] HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021 - it was important for me to show that we value this relationship across a wider spectrum of areas."
During his three-day visit in the CNMI, Rennie held meetings with key leaders including Lieutenant Governor David Apatang, Senate President Dennis Mendiola, and Saipan Mayor Ramon Camacho.
He also visited cultural and historic sites and spoke with educators, business leaders, and tourism officials.
Rennie said the CNMI left an impression on him.
"The incredible warmth and hospitality of the people I met, their deep connection to the island and its culture and history, and their resilience and positivity when confronting challenges - all stood out to me," he said.
He emphasized that as an island nation itself, composed of multiple islands such as the Shetlands and Orkneys, the UK shares many of the same challenges as the CNMI - especially in energy development, environmental management, and economic diversification.
"There is a famous quote that no person is an island, and as island nations it makes it all the more critical that we come together and work together to meet shared global challenges."
Rennie said he sees potential for the CNMI and the UK to collaborate on sustainable energy projects, small business development, aquaculture, and even logistics innovations, like drone deliveries to isolated communities - technology already being tested in parts of Scotland.
"In Scotland we've been testing unmanned aerial drones to deliver mail and medicine to remote islands," Rennie noted. "That could be useful in the CNMI, especially for communities in Rota or the Northern Islands."
The Consul General said his visit was not simply symbolic.
"It was a chance to learn about the challenges facing these islands, and the innovations that are being developed to meet these challenges," he said.
"There's a lot that we can partner with from the UK."
He added that his office would explore how the UK could support island communities in the US Pacific territories, particularly in green energy, broadband expansion, and entrepreneurship.
