John M. Silk

Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Republic of Marshall Islands

The Honorable John M. Silk is the Minister of Foreign Affairs serving in the Cabinet of President Hilda C. Heine which came into power after the short-lived administration of former President Casten N. Nemra. Minister Silk is currently serving his fourth term as Senator representing Ebon Atoll in the Nitijela (Parliament).

Since his election to the Nitijela in 2000, he has held several key Government positions which include Ministers of Foreign Affairs twice and Minister of Resources and Development, serving as members of various Nitijela Standing Committees on Appropriations, Resources and Development, Public Accounts, Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Silk has led the delegation from the Republic of the Marshall Islands to major international conferences and forums, including as key adviser to the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands at many historical international events such as the meetings held during and at the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum, the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and other bilateral meetings with important development partners.

Prior to entering politics, the Honorable John M. Silk, as a licensed trial assistant, has appeared before the Courts representing his clients on various matters including land disputes, family matters, civil actions and on other cases needing legal adjudication. The Honorable Silk started his professional career in the media as a reporter and Editor in the Marshall Islands Journal. Senator Silk attended Assumption Schools and continued his post secondary education at Regis University in Denver, Colorado where he successfully obtained his degree in 1979.

The Honorable John M. Silk was born on September 15, 1956 in Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. He is married to Mary Silk and they have five (5) children. The Honorable Silk is a member of the Marshall Islands Bar Association, the Marshall Islands Law Society and was a delegate to the Marshall Islands Constitutional Convention. He is devout Catholic and enjoys playing tennis and baseball, and likes to fish in his spare time.