FSM Information Services
Press Release
Prime Minister Sopoaga Receives President Panuelo in a Courtesy Call
FUNAFUTI, Tuvalu—On August 15th 2019, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—was received by His Excellency Enele Sopoaga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tuvalu and Chair of the 50th Pacific Islands Forum. The purpose of the meeting was to determine how to advocate for mutual goals during the course of the Pacific Islands Forum Leader’s meetings, with a few minutes spent to reflect on how their shared personal and professional relationship has lead to the contemporary present.
“You have no idea how much of a great pleasure it is for me to reconnect with you my dear friend,” President Panuelo began. “Who would have thought you’d be leading a country!”
Both President Panuelo and Prime Minister Sopoaga are graduates of an Australian diplomacy training program, and the FSM and Tuvalu are close allies and friends of Australia, and so the conversation began with reminiscing about how their shared diplomatic training has provided them the skills they need to reach mutually beneficial agreements with other nations in the interest of serving their own citizens who depend on them.
The two discussed fisheries, in part due to the FSM’s and Tuvalu’s shared interest and reliance on the sector, in part due to the FSM being the new Chair for the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Committee, and in part due to its relevance with climate change.
The conversation then quickly turned to the primary topic of the 50th Pacific Islands Forum, whose focus is on climate change, and whose theme is “Securing our Future in the Pacific”. The Forum is guided by Prime Minister Sopoaga’s statement of “To save the World, save Tuvalu” and President Panuelo’s pertinent suggestion that climate change is the single greatest security threat to both the FSM and the Pacific.
“We have to speak up now,” said Prime Minister Sopoaga. “I was talking with [The Honorable Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia] last night. I said…you are in the Pacific, let’s come as a family to iron out these issues, and move forward.”
“This is the time to converge!” continued Prime Minister Sopoaga.
Both President Panuelo and Prime Minister Sopoaga noted that, when it comes to climate change, politics must be removed from all considerations because the stakes are too great, and that interests in power and profitability would ultimately mean nothing if the islands the citizens of the Pacific call home are no longer able to sustain life.
“Under the position of the Smaller Islands States, we ARE the most vulnerable,” replied President Panuelo. “We’re the front line. So I hope we can merge the language and be united in our outcomes.”
“I’m glad you are using the word united!” replied Prime Minister Sopoaga, who spoke at length with President Panuelo about unity within the Pacific to grapple, and overcome, any and all challenges and threats.”I am so confident, and I am so happy, that you [President Panuelo] are in the [driver’s] seat of the FSM and the Pacific. So let’s take advantage of this. Let’s unite.”
“Let’s do that,” President Panuelo said. “I look forward to working closely with [the people and Government of Tuvalu] in exchanging our common issues in the United Nations and elsewhere [as the outcomes of this 50th Pacific Islands Forum are taken up at the upcoming Climate Action Summit at the United Nations in September].”
The FSM extends to all nations what it seeks from each: peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity. The FSM National Government looks forward to a strengthened partnership with the people and Government of Tuvalu as both nations act, united, towards mitigating the risks of climate change.
