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FSM Receives UNFPA Representative

Palikir, Pohnpei, (Dept. of Foreign Affairs): March 11, 2008 - The Honorable Vice President Alik Alik received in Palikir Mr. Najib Assifi, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) based in Suva, Fiji.

In welcoming Mr. Assifi, Vice President Alik reaffirmed FSM's commitment to the partnership between the country and UNFPA and assured Mr. Assifi of the Administration's support.

Mr. Assisi pointed towards areas of cooperation given UNFPA's portfolio on population policies. Among others, maternal health, HIV/AIDS, adult reproductive and sexual health, and youth are primary areas of cooperation. Commenting on such programs, Vice President Alik stated that "given the uniqueness of the FSM, states participation is essential to the success of these programs". In that regard, he invited UNFPA to work closely with the States as well.

Vice President Alik welcomed UNFPA's effort in progressing the UN-Joint Presence initiative on behalf of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). Under such initiative, the United Nations will establish presence in form of joint-office in the FSM. According to Vice President Alik, the initiative is consistent with the Administration's effort to make FSM as a sub-hub in the Northern Pacific region and is very much in parallel with the ongoing joint-efforts with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) to establish a North Pacific office in Pohnpei.

Mr. Assifi also met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Lorin Robert, Secretary of Health and Social Affairs, the Honorable Vita Skilling, and officials from the Office of Statistics, Budget, Overseas Development Assistance, and Compact Management (SBOC).