In May 1953, Palau was assigned to the Western Pacific Region at the Sixth World Health Assembly ''without prejudice to any questions regarding sovereignty'' as an area. It was a member of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands dominated by the United States of America until the Office of the High Commissioner determined to end the association on 10 July 1987. All functions were transferred to individual governments, including Palau. On 9 March 1995, Palau joined WHO as one of its Member States.