# List of leaders of dependent territories in 2017

This is a list of leaders of dependent territories in 2017.

## Argentina

* Argentine Antarctica (claimed territory)
** administered by the Governor of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and the Islands of the South Atlantic Province of the Argentine Republic
** the Argentinian Antarctic claim has not been recognized by the United Nations, US, Russia, or by most other countries

## Australia

* Ashmore and Cartier Islands (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the Australian Ministry for Local Government and Territories to 20 December and then by the Australian Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government
* Australian Antarctic Territory (territory)
** administered by the Australian Antarctic Division under the Minister for the Environment and Energy
** the Australian Antarctic claim has not been recognized by the United Nations, US, Russia, or by most other countries
* Christmas Island (territory)
** Administrator –
*** Barry Haase, Administrator of Christmas Island (2014–2017)
*** Natasha Griggs, Administrator of Christmas Island (2017–present)
** President of Shire – Gordon Thomson, President of the Christmas Island Shire Council (2013–present)
* Cocos (Keeling) Islands (territory)
** Administrator –
*** Barry Haase, Administrator of Cocos Island (2014–present)
*** Natasha Griggs, Administrator of Cocos Island (2017–present)
** President of the Shire –
*** Balmut Pirus, President of the Shire Council of Cocos Island (2015–2017)
*** Seri Wati Iku, President of the Shire Council of Cocos Island (2017–2019)
* Coral Sea Islands (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the Australian Ministry for Local Government and Territories to 20 December and then by the Australian Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government
* Heard Island and McDonald Islands (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the Australian Antarctic Division of the ministry of Environment
* Lord Howe Island (unincorporated, self-governed, area of New South Wales)
** Chairman of the Board – Sonja Stewart, Chairman of the Lord Howe Island Board (2015–2019)
* Macquarie Island (uninhabited territory of Tasmania)
** administered by the Park and Wildlife Service of the Tasmanian ministry for Environment, Parks and Heritage
* Norfolk Island (territory)
** Administrator –
*** Gary Hardgrave, Administrator of Norfolk Island (2014–2017)
*** Eric Hutchinson, Administrator of Norfolk Island (2017–present)
** General Manager – Lotta Jackson, General Manager of Norfolk Island (2016–2019)
** Mayor – Robin Adams, Mayor of Norfolk Island (2016–2021)
* Torres Strait Islands (territory with a special status fitting the native land rights)
** Chairperson of the Regional Authority – Pedro Stephen Napau, Chairperson of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (2016–present)

## Brazil

* Brazilian Antarctica (claimed territory)
** Chairman of the National Commission on Antarctic Matters (Minister of External Relations of Brazil) – José Serra, Chairman of the Brazilian National Commission on Antarctic Matters (2016–2019)
** the Brazilian Antarctic claim has not been recognized by the United Nations, US, Russia, or by most other countries

## Chile

* Chilean Antarctic Territory (claimed territory)
** Governor of Province –
*** Patricio Oyarzo Gaez, Governor of Antártica Chilena Province (2014–2017)
*** Daniela Vanessa Díaz Mayorga, Governor of Antártica Chilena Province (2017–2018)
** the Chilean Antarctic claim has not been recognized by the United Nations, US, Russia, or by most other countries
* Easter Island (territory)
** Governor of Province – Melania Carolina Hotu Hey, Governor of Easter Island Province (2015–2018)
** Mayor – Pero Edmunds Paoa, Mayor of Easter Island (2012–present)

## People's Republic of China (PRC)

* Hong Kong (special administrative region)
** Chief Executive –
*** Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of Hong Kong (2012–2017)
*** Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong (2017–2022)
* Macau (special administrative region)
** Chief Executive – Fernando Chui, Chief Executive of Macau (2009–2019)

## Denmark

* Faroe Islands (autonomous territory)
** High Commissioner –
*** Dan Michael Knudsen, High Commissioner of the Faroe Islands (2008–2017)
*** Lene Moyell Johansen, High Commissioner of the Faroe Islands (2017–present)
** Prime Minister – Aksel V. Johannesen, Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands (2015–2019)
* Greenland (autonomous territory)
** High Commissioner – Mikaela Engell, High Commissioner of Greenland (2011–present)
** Prime Minister – Kim Kielsen, Prime Minister of Greenland (2014–2021)

## Ecuador

* Galápagos Islands (province)
** Governor and Chairman of the Governing Council –
*** Eliécer Cruz Bedón, Governor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Special Regime of Galapagos Island (2015–2017)
*** Lorena Tapia Núñez, Governor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Special Regime of Galapagos Island (2017–2019)

## Finland

* Åland Islands (autonomous region)
** Governor – Peter Lindbäck, Governor of Åland Islands (1999–present)
** Premier – Katrin Sjögren, Premier of Åland Islands (2015–2019)

## France

* Bassas da India (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the administrator of the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
* Clipperton Island (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the French minister of Overseas France through the high commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia
* Europa Island (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the administrator of the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
* French Guiana (Guyane) (overseas département and region)
** Prefect –
*** Martin Jaeger, Prefect of French Guiana (2016–2017)
*** Stanislas Alfonsi, Acting Prefect of French Guiana (2017)
*** Patrice Faure, Prefect of French Guiana (2017–2019)
** President of the Territorial Authority – Rodolphe Alexandre, President of the Territorial Authority of Guyane (2015–2021)
* French Polynesia (overseas country)
** High Commissioner – René Bidal, High Commissioner of French Polynesia (2016–2019)
** President – Édouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia (2014–present)
* French Southern and Antarctic Lands (overseas territory)
** Administrator-Superior – Cécile Pozzo di Borgo, Administrator Superior of French Southern and Antarctic Lands (2014–2018)
** the French Antarctic claim (Adélie Land) has not been recognized by the United Nations, US, Russia, or by most other countries
* Glorioso Islands (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the administrator of the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
* Guadeloupe (overseas département and region)
** Prefect –
*** Jacques Billant, Prefect of Guadeloupe (2014–2017)
*** Virginie Kles, Acting Prefect of Guadeloupe (2017)
*** Patrice Faure, Prefect of Guadeloupe (2017-2018)
** President of the Regional Council – Ary Chalus, President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe (2015–present)
** President of the Departmental Council – Josette Borel-Lincertin, President of the Departmental Council of Guadeloupe (2015–2021)
* Juan de Nova Island (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the administrator of the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
* Martinique (overseas département and region)
** Prefect –
*** Fabrice Rigoulet-Roze, Prefect of Martinique (2014–2017)
*** Patrick Amoussou-Adeblé, Acting Prefect of Martinique (2017)
*** Franck Robine, Prefect of Martinique (2017-2020)
** President of the Executive Council – Alfred Marie-Jeanne, President of the Executive Council of Martinique (2017–2021)
* Mayotte (overseas département and region)
** Prefect – Frédéric Veau, Prefect of Mayotte (2016–2018)
** President of the Departmental Council – Soibahadine Ibrahim Ramadani, President of the Departmental Council of Mayotte (2015–2021)
* New Caledonia (overseas country)
** High Commissioner – Thierry Lataste, High Commissioner of New Caledonia (2016–2019)
** President of the Government – Philippe Germain, President of the Government of New Caledonia (2015–2019)
* Réunion (overseas département and region)
** Prefect –
*** Dominique Sorain, Prefect of Réunion (2014 - 2017)
*** Maurice Barate, Acting Prefect of Réunion (2017)
*** Amaury de Saint-Quentin, Prefect of Réunion (2017 - 2019)
** President of the Regional Council – Didier Robert, President of the Regional Council of Réunion (2010–2021)
** President of the Departmental Council –
*** Nassimah Dindar, President of the Departmental Council of Réunion (2015–2017)
*** Cyrille Melchior, President of the Departmental Council of Réunion (2017–present)
* Saint-Barthélemy (Territorial collectivity)
** Prefect – the prefect of Guadeloupe has also been state representative in Saint Barthélemy since 2007
** Prefect-delegated – Anne Laubies, Prefect delegated of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin (2015–2018)
** President of the Territorial Council – Bruno Magras, President of the Territoria Council of Saint-Barthélemy (2007–present)
* Saint Martin (Territorial collectivity)
** Prefect – the prefect of Guadeloupe has also been state representative in Saint Martin since 2007
** Prefect-delegated – Anne Laubies, Prefect delegated of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin (2015–2018)
** President of the Territorial Council –
*** Aline Hanson, President of the Territoria Council of Saint-Martin (2013–2017)
*** Daniel Gibbs, President of the Territoria Council of Saint-Martin (2017–present)
* Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (overseas collectivity)
** Prefect – Henri Jean, Prefect of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (2016–2018)
** President of the General Council –
*** Stéphane Artano, President of the General Council of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (2006–2017)
*** Stéphane Lenormand, President of the General Council of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (2017–2020)
* Tromelin Island (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the administrator of the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
* Wallis and Futuna (overseas collectivity)
** Administrator-Superior –
*** Marcel Renouf, Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna (2015–2017)
*** Stéphane Donnot, Acting Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna (2017)
*** Jean-Francis Treffel, Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna (2017–2018)
** President of the Territorial Assembly –
*** Mikaele Kulimoetoke, President of the Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna (2014 - 2017)
*** David Vergé, President of the Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna (2017–2019)
** Alo (chiefdom of Wallis and Futuna)
*** King – Filipo Katoa, King of Alofi (2016–2018)
** Sigave (chiefdom of Wallis and Futuna)
*** King – Eufenio Takala, King of Sigave (2016–present)
** Wallis (chiefdom of Wallis and Futuna)
*** Kings disputed -
**** Felice Tominiko Halagahu, King of Wallis (co-claimant, 2016–present) or
**** Patalione Kanimoa, King of Wallis (co-claimant, 2016–present)

## Netherlands

* Aruba (autonomous territory)
** Governor –
*** Fredis Refunjol, Governor of Aruba (2004–2017)
*** Alfonso Boekhoudt, Governor of Aruba (2017–present)
** Prime Minister –
*** Mike Eman, Prime Minister of Aruba (2009–2017)
*** Evelyn Wever-Croes, Prime Minister of Aruba (2017–present)
* Bonaire (special municipality)
** Lieutenant Governor – Edison Rijna, Lieutenant Governor of Bonaire (2014–present)
* Curaçao (autonomous territory)
** Governor – Lucille George-Wout, Governor of Curaçao (2013–present)
** Prime Minister –
*** Hensley Koeiman, Prime Minister of Curaçao (2016–2017)
*** Gilmar Pisasas, Prime Minister of Curaçao (2017)
*** Eugene Rhuggenaath, Prime Minister of Curaçao (2017–2021)
* Saba (special municipality)
** Lieutenant Governor – Jonathan G. A. Johnson, Lieutenant Governor of Saba (2008–present)
* Sint Eustatius (special municipality)
** Lieutenant Governor – Julian Woodley, Acting Lieutenant Governor of Sint Eustatius (2016–2018)
* Sint Maarten (autonomous territory)
** Governor – Eugene Holiday, Governor of Sint Maarten (2010–present)
** Prime Minister –
*** William Marlin, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten (2015–2017)
*** Rafael Boasman, Acting Prime Minister of Sint Maarten (2017–2018)

## New Zealand

* Cook Islands (self-governing territory)
** High Commissioner –
*** Nick Hurley, High Commissioner of the Cook Islands (2015–2017)
*** Peter Marshall, High Commissioner of the Cook Islands (2017–2019)
** Queen's Representative – Tom Marsters, Queen's Representative of the Cook Islands (2013–present)
** Prime Minister – Henry Puna, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands (2010–2020)
* Niue (associated state)
** High Commissioner – Ross Ardern, High Commissioner of Niue (2014–2018)
** Premier – Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue (2008–2020)
* Ross Dependency (New Zealand Antarctic Territory) (territory)
** administered by the New Zealand Antarctic Division
** the New Zealand Antarctic claim has not been recognized by the United Nations, US, Russia, or by most other countries
* Tokelau (territory)
** Administrator –
*** David Nicholson, Administrator of Tokelau (2016–2017)
*** Brook Barrington, Acting Administrator of Tokelau (2017)
*** Jonathan Kings, Administrator of Tokelau (2017–2018)
** Head of Government –
*** Afega Gaualofa, Head of Government of Tokelau (2016–2017)
*** Siopili Perez, Head of Government of Tokelau (2017–2018)

## Norway

* Bouvet Island (territory)
** administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security from Oslo
* Jan Mayen (territory)
** administered by the governor of Nordland county in the Kingdom of Norway
* Peter I Island (territory)
** administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security from Oslo
* Queen Maud Land (territory)
** administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security from Oslo
** the Norwegian Antarctic claim has not been recognized by the United Nations, US, Russia, or by most other countries
* Svalbard (territory)
** Governor – Kjerstin Askholt, Governor of Svalbard (2015–2021)

## Portugal

* Azores (autonomous region)
** Representative of the (Portuguese) Republic – Pedro Manuel dos Reis Alves Catarino, Representative of the Republic in Azores (2011–present)
** President of the Government – Vasco Cordeiro, President of the Government of the Azores (2012–2020)
* Madeira (autonomous region)
** Representative of the (Portuguese) Republic – Irineu Cabral Barreto, Representative of the Republic in Madeira (2011–present)
** President of the Government – Miguel Albuquerque, President of the Government of the Madeira (2015–present)

## Spain

* Alborán Island (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the Ayuntamiento de Almería the Comarca of Almería of the Kingdom of Spain
* Alhucemas Islands (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the Spanish Government
* Canary Islands (autonomous community)
** Mercedes Roldós Caballero, Government Delegate in the Canary Islands (2016–2018)
** President – Fernando Clavijo Batlle, President of the Canary Islands (2015–2019)
* Ceuta (autonomous city)
** Government-Delegate – Nicolás Fernández Cucurull, Government Delegate in Ceuta (2015–2018)
** Mayor-President – Juan Jesús Vivas, Mayor-President of Ceuta (2001–present)
* Chafarinas Islands (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the Spanish Government
* Melilla (autonomous city)
** Government Delegate – Abdelmalik El Barkani Abdelkader, Government Delegate in Melilla (2011–2018)
** Mayor-President – Juan José Imbroda, Mayor-President of Melilla (2000–2019)
* Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the Spanish Government

## South Africa

* Prince Edward Islands (uninhabited territory)
** administered by the Director of Southern Ocean and Antarctic Support of the South African ministry for Branch of Oceans and Coasts of the Department of Environmental Affairs

## United Kingdom / British Crown

* Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Overseas Territory)
** Administrator –
*** Michael Wigston, Administrator of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (2015–2017)
*** James Illingworth, Administrator of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (2017–2019)
* Anguilla (Overseas Territory)
** Governor –
*** Christina Scott, Governor of Anguilla (2013–2017)
*** Perin Bradley, Acting Governor of Anguilla (2017)
*** Tim Foy, Governor of Anguilla (2017–2021)
** Chief Minister – Victor Banks, Chief Minister of Anguilla (2015–2019)
* Bermuda (Overseas Territory)
** Governor – John Rankin, Governor of Bermuda (2016–2020)
** Premier –
*** Michael Dunkley, Premier of Bermuda (2014–2017)
*** David Burt, Premier of Bermuda (2017–present)
* British Antarctic Territory (Overseas Territory)
** Commissioner –
*** John Kittmer, Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory (2016–2017)
*** Ben Merrick, Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory (2017–2021)
** Administrator – Stuart Doubleday, Administrator of the British Antarctic Territory (2016–2020)
** the British Antarctic claim has not been recognized by the United Nations, US, Russia, or by most other countries
* British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Islands) (Overseas Territory)
** Commissioner –
*** John Kittmer, Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory (2016–2017)
*** Ben Merrick, Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory (2017–2021)
** Administrator –
*** Nicola Carnie, Administrator of British Indian Ocean Territory (2016–2017)
*** Murrielle Benjamin, Acting Administrator of British Indian Ocean Territory (2017)
*** Linsey Billing, Administrator of British Indian Ocean Territory (2017–2020)
* British Virgin Islands (Overseas Territory)
** Governor –
*** John Duncan, Governor of the British Virgin Islands (2014–2017)
*** Robert A. Mathavious, Acting Governor of the British Virgin Islands (2017)
*** Rosalie Adams, Acting Governor of the British Virgin Islands (2017)
*** Augustus Jaspert, Acting Governor of the British Virgin Islands (2017–2021)
** Premier – Orlando Smith, Premier of the British Virgin Islands (2011–2019)
* Cayman Islands (Overseas Territory)
** Governor – Helen Kilpatrick, Governor of the Cayman Islands (2013–2018)
** Premier – Alden McLaughlin, Premier of the Cayman Islands (2013–2021)
* Falkland Islands (Overseas Territory)
** Governor –
*** Colin Roberts, Governor of the Falkland Islands (2014–2017)
*** Barry Rowland, Acting Governor of the Falkland Islands (for Colin Roberts) (2017)
*** Alex Mitham, Acting Governor of the Falkland Islands (for Colin Roberts) (2017)
*** Alex Mitham, Acting Governor of the Falkland Islands (2017)
*** Nigel Phillips, Governor of the Falkland Islands (2017–2022)
* Gibraltar (Overseas Territory)
** Governor – Ed Davis, Governor of Gibraltar (2016–2020)
** Chief Minister – Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar (2011–present)
* Guernsey (Crown dependency)
** Monarch – Elizabeth II, Duke of Normandy (1952–present)
** Lieutenant-Governor – Sir Ian Corder, Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey (2016–2021)
** Bailiff – Sir Richard Collas, Bailiff of Guernsey (2012–2020)
** President of the Policy and Resources Committee – Gavin St Pier, President of the Policy and Resources Committee of Guernsey (2016–2020)
** Alderney (self-governing island of Guernsey)
*** President of the States – Stuart Trought, President of the States of Alderney (2011–2019)
** Sark (self-governing island of Guernsey)
*** Seigneur – Christopher Beaumont, Seigneur of Sark (2016–present)
* Jersey (Crown dependency)
** Monarch – Elizabeth II, Duke of Normandy (1952–present)
** Lieutenant-Governor
*** Sir William Bailhache, Acting Lieutenant Governor of Jersey (2016–2017)
*** Sir Stephen Dalton, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey (2017–present)
** Bailiff – William Bailhache, Bailiff of Jersey (2015–2019)
** Chief Minister – Ian Gorst, Chief Minister of Jersey (2011–2018)
* Isle of Man (Crown dependency)
** Monarch – Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann (1952–present)
** Lieutenant-Governor – Sir Richard Gozney, Lieutenant-Governor of Man (2016–2021)
** Chief Minister – Howard Quayle, Chief Minister of the Isle of Man (2016–2021)
* Montserrat (Overseas Territory)
** Governor – Elizabeth Carriere, Governor of Montserrat (2015–2018)
** Premier – Donaldson Romeo, Premier of Montserrat (2014–2019)
* Pitcairn Islands (Overseas Territory)
** Governor –
*** Jonathan Sinclair, Governor of the Pitcairn Islands (2014–2017)
*** Robin Shackell, Acting Governor of the Pitcairn Islands (2017–2018)
** Administrator – Nicola Hebb, Administrator of the Pitcairn Islands (2016–2018)
** Mayor – Shawn Christian, Mayor of the Pitcairn Islands (2014–2019)
* Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (Overseas Territory)
** Saint Helena
*** Governor –
**** Lisa Phillips, Governor of Saint Helena (2016–2019)
**** Judith Mary Leon, Acting Governor of Saint Helena (for Lisa Phillips) (2017)
**** Louise MacMorran, Acting Governor of Saint Helena (for Lisa Phillips) (2017 two times)
** Ascension
*** Governor – Lisa Phillips, Governor of Ascension (2016–2019)
*** Administrator – Marc Holland, Administrator of Ascension (2014–2018)
** Tristan da Cunha
*** Governor – Lisa Phillips, Governor of Tristan da Cunha (2016–2019)
*** Administrator –
**** Sean Burns, Administrator of Tristan da Cunha (2016–2020)
**** David Moores, Acting Administrator of Tristan da Cunha (for Sean Burns) (2018)
* South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Overseas Territory)
** administrated by the governor of the Falklands
* Turks and Caicos Islands (Overseas Territory)
** Governor – John Freeman, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands (2016–2019)
** Premier – Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (2016–2021)

## United States

* American Samoa (unincorporated territory)
** Governor – Lolo Matalasi Moliga, Governor of American Samoa (2013–2021)
* Baker Island (unincorporated territory)
** administrated by the US Department of the Interior
* Guam (unincorporated territory)
** Governor – Eddie Calvo, Governor of Guam (2011–2019)
* Guantánamo Bay (rented naval station)
** Commander – David Culpepper, Commander of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station (2015–2018)
* Howland Island (unincorporated territory)
** administered by the US Department of the Interior
* Jarvis Island (unincorporated territory)
** administered by the US Department of the Interior
* [[File:|23x15px|border |alt=|link=]] Johnston Atoll (unincorporated territory)
** administered by the US Department of the Interior
* Kingman Reef (unincorporated territory)
** administered by the US Department of the Interior
* Midway Atoll (unincorporated territory)
** administered by the US Department of the Interior
* Navassa Island (unincorporated territory)
** administered by the US Department of the Interior
* Northern Mariana Islands (Commonwealth)
** Governor – Ralph Torres, Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands (2015–present)
* Palmyra Atoll (incorporated territory)
** administered by the US Department of the Interior
* Puerto Rico (Commonwealth)
** Governor –
*** Alejandro García Padilla, Governor of Puerto Rico (2013–2017)
*** Ricardo Rosselló, Governor of Puerto Rico (2017–2019)
* United States Virgin Islands (unincorporated territory)
** Governor – Kenneth Mapp, Governor of the United States Virgin Islands (2015–2019)
* Wake Island (unincorporated territory)
** administered by the US Department of the Interior

## Others

* Antarctica (territory with international status under the regulations of Antarctic Treaty, signed by 50 states; uninhabited territory)
** Executive-Secretary –
*** Manfred Reinke (Germany), Executive Secretary of Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (2009–2017)
*** Albert Lluberas Bonaba (Uruguay), Executive Secretary of Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (2017–present)
* Marie Byrd Land
** unclaimed territory in Antarctica
* Paracel Islands
** occupied by the People's Republic of China; claimed by Vietnam and the Republic of China (Taiwan)
* Spratly Islands
** claimed in their entirety by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Vietnam; portions claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; about 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Vietnam; Brunei has established a fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef, but has not made any formal claim