Athens, Greece – (April 16, 2024) – H.E. President Wesley W. Simina, has reaffirmed the Federated States of Micronesia’s (FSM) commitment to protecting 30% of its ocean by 2025. A delegation from the FSM, led by H.E. President Wesley Simina, attended the Our Ocean Conference in Athens, Greece to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to marine protection and stewardship, encouraging other leaders to take action for the ocean.
The FSM’s Our Ocean Conference commitment states, “protecting 30% of its ocean would create the seventh largest marine protected area system in the world, close to one million square kilometers, and ensure that fisheries continue to flourish, ecosystems remain intact for current and future generations, and the FSM’s marine environment is buffered against the impacts of climate change.”
President Simina addressed leaders from around the globe stating: “Our nation’s connection to our environment is so strong that the people of Micronesia endorsed a constitutional amendment protecting every citizen’s right to a healthy environment. I am proud to lead a nation that recognizes the right of the people to a healthy environment and is taking necessary steps to respect, protect and promote this right.”
President Simina also highlighted efforts to plan for a more sustainable future for the FSM: “I am proud of our nation\’s partnership with the Blue Prosperity Coalition to implement Blue Prosperity in Micronesia, which is a government led initiative to support sustainable growth of marine resources, stringent fisheries management and sustainably developed marine industries.”
President Simina with T.H. Elina Akinaga, Secretary of Resources & Development and Mr. Eugene Pangelinan, NORMA Consultant participated in the Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum Roundtable, engaging with fellow ocean leaders to explore effective pathways for advancing sustainable ocean management and implementing marine protection commitments.
President Simina also acknowledged the collaborative efforts to build a better ocean future, “Together, we are shaping a brighter future for the Federated States of Micronesia, and the rest of the Pacific, a future defined by resilience, sustainability, and reverence for our ocean heritage.”
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