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Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action has been slow, FSM President Leo A. Falcam told 22^nd Special Session of the UNGA

New York, 27 September 1999 (FSM Permanent Mission to the UN) - The President of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E. Leo A. Falcam, told the 22^nd special session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) that the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action has been slow. The President was addressing the General Assembly on Monday morning 27 September 1999, the first day of its two-day special session on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Pogramme of Action adopted at the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States held in Barbados in 1994.

Speaking on behalf of the Federated States of Micronesia, President Falcam pointed out that the receipts of official development assistance (ODA) by small island states over the past five years have declined significantly. In his allotted five-minute statement in the plenary session, President Falcam said many donors seemed content to lump small island States into one generic category. Island States have varying characteristics and must be dealt with individually, he said. Development assistance, the President continued, must not be based solely on the static figures of gross domestic product or population, but must be tailored with an eye on the various terrestrial and maritime characteristics that contribute to the uniqueness of each island nation. The islands, the President said, need help and will continue to need help. He warned that small islands will only serve as disastrous examples of global complacency and inaction if positive and urgent actions by the international community on critical issues affecting small islands are not taken. The President thus appealed to the donors who have generously supported the Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA) and pleaded that all nations proceed with the sense of urgency that our global reality demand today.

Witnessing the President delivering the nation's statement from the gallery were First Lady Iris Falcam, Mrs. Serlyn Nakayama; Mrs. Lenora Sigrah; Ms. Marilyn Jack and Mrs. Helen Aten of Chuuk. Other FSM officials present were Senator Peter Christian of Pohnpei; Foreign Affairs Secretary Epel Ilon; FSM Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Masao Nakayama; Deputy Perm. Rep. Tadao Sigrah; Economic Affairs Deputy Secretary (nominee) Patrick Mackenzie; Executive Director of JCN Asterio Takesy; Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Carl D. Apis; Foreign Service Officer Tanya Harris; private sector representatives Chris Christian and Marvin Yamaguchi of Pohnpei and Dr. Gerhart Aten of Chuuk. Also present were FSM Permanent Mission of Micronesia to the United Nations staffers Jeem Lippwe and Martin Zvachula.