Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM urged UN body for more concrete actions for small islands developing states

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): February 4, 2005 - The Federated States of Micronesia has called on the international community to translate its continuing assessment of the sustainable development of the small island states into more concrete action.

The call was issued during the United Nation's meeting of the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) held in Mauritius during mid January. The Mauritius meeting reviewed the progress of the Barbados "program of action" for the sustainable development of the United Nations' member small islands developing states.

President Joseph J. Urusemal expressed to the Mauritius assembly that "progress has been made in the implementation of the program of action" it is imperative therefore that international community "accelerate on the momentum and progress gained thus far."

Referencing recent events of the Indian Ocean, the President reiterated the vulnerability of the small island developing states to natural disasters, "vulnerability is one of the main obstacles to sustainable development." He urged the Assembly to translate its acceptance and understanding of the plight of the small islands states to "more concrete actions" through immediate adaptation projects.

The FSM also addresses various issues, among which included:

  • climate change and sea-level rise with a request that assistance towards the issues be moved beyond routine assessment into concrete adaptation projects;

  • illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as a threat to the sustainable management of FSM fishing resources, calling on the cooperation of all affected states for greater enforcement measures;

  • calling attention to the danger and vulnerability of the FSM to transshipment of plutonium and radioactive wastes through the nation's EEZ; and

  • the complex rules and procedures required by financial institutes for small islands countries to access funding.

The assembly completed its deliberations with the adoption of the Mauritius Strategy in which the islands are being asked to take a greater role in their own development, while their development partners have agreed to provide technical assistance and recognize the vulnerabilities of small island states.

Along with the President Urusemal, the composition of the FSM delegation included: Secretary Sebastian L. Anefal of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Jeem Lippwe - FSM Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Jackson Soram - Department of Foreign Affairs and Eliesar Rospel - FSM Public Information Office, Bill Raynor - The Nature Conservancy, Constantine Yowbalaw - Youth Representative from Yap State.