Washington, D.C. – On July 12, 2024, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) deposited its instrument of accession to the UN Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destructions (BWC). FSM Ambassador to the United States, Jackson T. Soram, had the honor of depositing said instrument with the United States Government which serves as one of the depositories of the BWC.
The objective of the BWC is to ban the development, production and stockpiling of biological and toxic weapons. In accordance with provisions of the Convention, the BWC will enter into force for the FSM on the same date of its deposit, making the FSM the newest member of the BWC.
The FSM Congress ratified the Convention at their last session in May 2024, thus allowing Secretary Lorin S. Robert of the Department of Foreign Affairs to sign the instrument of accession.
At a brief ceremony at the U.S. Department of State, Ambassador Kenneth Ward, US Special Representative to the BWC, congratulated the FSM on this historical milestone. In his remarks, Ambassador Soram underscored the importance the FSM placed on the absolute and universal prohibition of biological and toxin weapons. Referencing world peace and security as key objectives of the BWC, Ambassador Soram referred to FSM’s accession to the BWC as an extension of the commitment to its enduring bilateral partnership under the Compact of Free Association with the United States.
James R. Heller, Director of the Office of Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Affairs (ANP), Bureau of East Asian & Pacific Affairs (EAP), U.S. Department of State, wrapped up the ceremony by emphasizing the shared values that reflect the close relationship between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia.
The event was attended by many U.S. officials including Christina Cavallo as the new Deputy Director of ANP, Ambassador Karen Stewart who served on the U.S. Compact Negotiations Team, and Ms. Megan Kleinsteiber, former FSM Desk Officer at ANP, and others. Attending from the FSM Embassy in D.C. were Teresa Filepin, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), and Raleigh Welly and Nena Waguk, the two First Secretaries with the Embassy.
