FSM Information Services
Press Release
President Panuelo Meets with Blue Prosperity Coalition & Partners to Further Advance Marine Spatial Planning, Scientific Expeditions, & Ocean Conservation in the FSM
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On January 22nd 2020 His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), met with a delegation from the Blue Prosperity Coalition (BPC), inclusive of representation from the National Geographic Society, the Waitt Institute, the University of California at San Diego, and Micronesia Conservation Trust, to further advance the Nation’s goal of protecting at least 30% of the FSM’s ocean-space. The primary outcomes of the meeting were the discussion on the tentative scheduling of a science expedition across the FSM from approximately the end of August through September 2020, and a marine spatial planning workshop to occur somewhere between the months of April and June 2020, as well as updates on the ongoing work between the FSM National Government and the BPC per the Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2019 and promoted in September 2019 on the margins of the 74th United Nations General Assembly.
Citizens may recall President Panuelo alluding to a partnership with the BPC in his Inaugural Address, as well as the promotion of the MOU between the FSM and the BPC in September. The key idea behind the MOU is that the FSM, which wishes to protect 30% of the Nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone, will collaborate with the BPC and appropriate partners to, firstly, assess the science, legal, fisheries, finance, and Blue Economy frameworks within the Nation; secondly, to develop a Martine Spatial Plan and Blue Economy plan, including the development and implementation of any necessary legislation; and, thirdly, to identify appropriate enforcement, management, and monitoring plans, alongside appropriate business development and financing proposals to fund key related activities.
“I will be meeting [all four of the] FSM’s Governors next month,” President Panuelo said, “and I will make sure that this is part of the agenda. It’s part of the objective of this administration that we keep close communication and collaboration with the State Governments.” Governors were present during the July 2019 discussions.
The President explained that, in February 2020, he looks forward to describing the FSM-BPC partnership at present, and its future plans, to the Governors, with further consultations to occur at the next State & National Leadership Conference. Such consultations will be key in ensuring that all FSM State Governments are on board with the proposed marine spatial planning workshop and scientific expedition, which will be spearheaded by National Geographic’s Pristine Seas and include the development of a video for a global audience to enjoy.
In the meantime, President Panuelo advised that the FSM National Government is working to bring on board a coordinator to liaise between the BPC and the FSM National Government—particularly since such conservation efforts require collaboration between line agencies such as the Department of Environment, Climate Change, & Emergency Management and the Department of Resources & Development. The President noted that the coordinator, who will be funded by the FSM National Government, will play a key role in ensuring the success of the partnership.
President Panuelo emphasized that fisheries revenues are the Nation’s largest source of domestic related income, and so conservation efforts are important to maintaining the sustainability of the Nation’s economic development just as much as it is important to maintaining the sustainability of the environment itself.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with President Panuelo advising that the administration will be formally communicating to the FSM State Governments about the FSM-BPC partnership soon along with other components of the February 2020 meeting agenda.
