FSM Information Services
Press Release
FSM to Host Micronesian Presidents Summit & Micronesian Islands Forum Between February 13th to 17th
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—From February 13th to 17th, 2023, the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) will host the Micronesian Presidents Summit (MPS) and the Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF) in Pohnpei State.
The MPS’ membership consists of the Presidents of the FSM, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The primary purpose for the MPS meeting is for the Presidents to discuss the implementation of the Suva Agreement, such as the location of the forthcoming subregional office of the Pacific Islands Forum, which Micronesian country will host the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, and exploratory discussions on potential nominees for the next Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum. Additionally, the FSM National Government has solicited the United Nations Resident Coordinator and U.S. Joint Region Marianas to provide the MPS briefings on the current status of United Nations Micronesia and the current state of regional security respectively, with the former largely focused on plans for the United Nations Multi-Country Office’s physical infrastructure and the latter largely focused on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and related activity.
It is the objective of the FSM National Government to ensure that a consensus amongst the Micronesian Presidents is reached on the most urgent topics, such as the locations of the subregional office of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, as the decisions the MPS make will be necessary for the success of the forthcoming Special Leaders Retreat of the Pacific Islands Forum, to be held in Fiji later in the month of February, 2023.
The MIF’s membership consists of the Presidents of the FSM, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, as well as the Governors the U.S. Territory of Guam and the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Governors of the FSM States of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. It is the intent of the MIF to formally invite the Republic of Kiribati and the Republic of Nauru to become members of the MIF.
Spanning multiple days, the broader agenda for the MIF is arguably of less immediate interest to foreign media and governments and of more immediate interest to the Nation’s citizens. Amongst the voluminous number of topics to be discussed by the relevant parties include updates on the annual Micronesia Cleanup Day activities; the current status of work in opening a vocational school in the FSM in order to provide expanded vocational training opportunities to all jurisdiction participants; collaborative efforts in implementing the Regional Biosecurity Plan for Micronesia and Hawaii; discussion on improving ports to allow for easier access for tourism and trade; and, among many more topics, a review of work to date on implementing the Micronesia Challenge, of which MIF members committed to effectively manage at least 50% of marine resources and 30% of marine resources by 2030, among related goals such as reducing the risks from Climate impacts for communities within flood zones and reducing invasive species.
“As incoming Chair and host of both the MPS and the MIF, it is my honor and privilege to welcome our brothers and sisters from across Micronesia to Paradise in Our Backyards,” His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the FSM, said in a statement. “From Håfa Adai to Mauri, Alii to Iokwe, Mogethin to Len wo, and Ran annim to Kaselehlie, we open our hearts and homes to our brothers and sisters from Micronesia, the jewel of our Blue Pacific Continent.”
