President Simina tours National Geographic Pristine Seas Expedition Vessel in Chuuk and Meets with State Leadership while First Lady Simina delivers on pledge to Chuuk Women’s Council

Weno, Chuuk, November 1, 2023 – On November 1st 2023, President Simina took the opportunity to visit the MV Argo in Chuuk and meet the crew that is leading the Blue Prosperity Micronesia science expedition in partnership with National Geographic Pristine Seas. The nationwide expedition is making stops in all four states of the FSM, which began in Kosrae and will end in Yap later this month. With local divers aboard joining the different legs of the expedition, the crew will be conducting research and collecting data at remote areas and outer islands where little to no baseline data currently exists. The aim of the expedition is to help fill data gaps to better understand the health of the FSM’s ocean and assist the FSM with its marine spatial planning efforts to meet its commitment to protect 30% of its ocean under the Blue Prosperity Micronesia initiative. President Simina provided remarks at the expedition\’s welcoming dinner where he welcomed the crew comprised of both international and local divers, and shared that \”Just last month, at the UNGA, I had the pleasure of becoming the first signatory in the world to sign the BBNJ Agreement, a testament to the FSM’s commitment to protecting our oceans. And now, through this groundbreaking nationwide expedition, the FSM will reach new depths to better understand our ocean, in order to be better stewards of it.\” President Simina ended with wishing the crew the best of luck and adding that \”I look forward to being guided by the data you all collect, in order to set better policies and make more informed decisions, for now and future generations.\” While in Chuuk, President Simina also took the opportunity to meet with T.H. Governor Alexander Narruhn and Lt. Governor Mekioshy William, as well as the presiding officers of the Chuuk State Legislature, President of the Senate T.H. Arno Kony and Speaker of the House T.H. Daniel Lester Mersai. During these meetings, President Simina and the state leadership were able to update each other on matters of mutual interest relating to the state and national governments, including the constitutional amendments, the amended Compact, and the Arngel Formula that was agreed upon at the last CEC (Chief Executive Council) meeting held in Yap, where the leaders from the 4 states and national governments agreed that the states would contribute a total of 8% of the new compact funds towards the national government’s budget. However, since the CEC and the adoption of the Arngel Formula, Congress has passed a bill that sets it at 10%, which President Simina vetoed, and Congress ultimately overrode. The President reassured the Chuuk state leadership that the Simina-Palik administration would continue its efforts to work with Congress to uphold the agreed upon Arngel Formula. During the visit, First Lady Simina also took the opportunity to personally deliver her pledge of $10,000 to the Chuuk Women’s Council, which she pledged during the last state visit in August to support its ongoing efforts and programs, and looks forward to delivering on her pledges to the other states women groups as early as at the upcoming Women’s Conference to be held in Kosrae later this month.