The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) will host the Micronesian Presidents Summit (MPS) and the Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF) in Pohnpei State next week, from 13 – 17 February.
The MPS comprise of leaders from 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 leaders 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.
The FSM National Government wants to ensure that a consensus is reached amongst the Micronesian Presidents when they convene next week.
The MIF 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.
“As incoming Chair and host of both the MPS and the MIF, it is my honour and privilege to welcome our brothers and sisters from across Micronesia to Paradise in our backyard,” 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,” he said.
SOURCE: FSMIS/PACNEWS
