Casten Ned Nemra (born July 29, 1971) is a Marshallese politician who was President of the Marshall Islands for 17 days in January 2016. He was elected by the Nitijeļā (Parliament) as President in January 2016, following the 2015 general election, narrowly defeating Senator Alvin Jacklick, a seven-term member of Parliament, by a 17–16 vote.[1] He was the youngest person to hold the job and the second commoner.[2] He was ousted by a vote of no confidence after just two weeks in office by the opposition for jumping ship and joining Iroij Mike Kabua's Aelon Kein Ad party along with Senators Dennis Momotaro and Daisy-Alik Momotaro.[3]
Nemra served as the Budget Director for Office of International Development Assistance from 2001 to 2004.[4] He then served as Assistant Secretary for the Ministry of Finance from 2004 to 2007.[4] Nemra was next appointed the Chief Secretary of the Republic of the Marshall Islands from 2008 until 2015.[4]
He was the foreign minister of the Marshall Islands from 2020 to 2022.[5] As foreign minister, he highlighted that the Marshallese government and people "have no intention to relocate" or become climate refugees. He said in April 2021 that the Marshallese are on the islands to stay.[6] He was appointed as Minister of Finance in June 2023.[7]
Personal life
Nemra is married to Terry Paul Nemra, the former First Lady of the Marshall Islands. The couple have four children.[4] A resident of Jaluit Atoll, Nemra speaks both English and Marshallese.[4]