Honorable John M. Silk

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of the Marshall Islands

Biography

John M. Silk is the current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of the Marshall Islands serving in the Cabinet of President Hilda C. Heine. He is serving his fourth term as Senator representing the people of Ebon Atoll in the Nitijela (Parliament) since 2000. 

Prior to this appointment, Silk has previously held several key government positions including, the Cabinet portfolios of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Resources and Development. During his time in the Nitijela Silk has served as a member of various Nitijela Standing Committees including, Appropriations, Resources and Development, Public Accounts, Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has also served as Chairman of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Board, and is currently serving as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Economic Management and Financial Accountability Committee under the Compact of Free Association between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States of America.

As Foreign Minister, Silk has represented the Republic of the Marshall Islands in numerous international conferences and forums, in addition to serving as a key adviser to the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Silk’s attendance and participation in meetings has included, the Pacific Islands Forum, the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Western and Central Pacific Fishing Commission, and other bilateral meetings, and development partners. 

Prior to entering politics, Silk worked at the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation, and as an associate with the law firm of Stege and Associates in Majuro prior to establishing his own civil private practice. He appeared before the Courts representing his clients on various civil cases ranging from land disputes, family matters, to constitutional and contractual disputes.  He started his professional career in the media as a reporter and Editor for the Marshall Islands Journal.  

Silk attended Assumption Schools in Majuro Marshall Islands and Xavier High School in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, and attended Regis University in Denver, Colorado. 

Silk is married to the former Mary Leon and they have five children and eight grandchildren. He is a member of the Marshall Islands Bar Association, the Marshall Islands Law Society, and was a delegate to the Marshall Islands Constitutional Convention in 1991.  He is a devout Catholic who enjoys reading, fishing and playing tennis and baseball.