On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I send my best wishes and congratulations to the people of Kiribati as you celebrate your 37^th Independence Day on July 12.

Over the years, the Republic of Kiribati and the United States have had an enduring friendship that has enabled us to work together on a wide variety of issues. From recovering the remains of lost American Marines from the Battle of Tarawa to protecting our shared environment, our nations’ collaborative efforts stand as a testament to that partnership. Kiribati’s commitment in the fight against climate change and support for the preservation of our Pacific Ocean inspires nations around the world to do the same.

I hope the people of Kiribati have a wonderful Independence Day and I look forward to watching our countries’ friendship continue to grow in the years to come.