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The 17^th MCES viewed twenty-two presentations and adopted nineteen resolutions

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 20, 2012 - The 17^th Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit (MCES) concluded the afternoon of March 15 in what turned out an over-loaded meeting in terms of the quantity and variety of reports, topical issues and activity briefings presented for review and consideration of the nine respective Presidents and Governors.

Among the twenty-two presentations were updates on the U.S. Military Realignment in the Pacific, activities of the Center for Micronesian Empowerment, support and pledges for the Micronesia Challenge, inquiries into the new concept of "Underground Water Dam" and Guam's water resources, prospects for regional healthcare integration, USDA requirements impacting viable export of agricultural products in the region, and further discussions on the Executives' commitment to making the Micronesian Center for Sustainable Future (MCSF) financially operational.

In attendance at the Summit were President Emanuel "Manny" Mori of the FSM, President Johnson Toribiong of Palau, President Christopher S. Loeak of the Marshall Islands, Governor Eddie Baza Calvo of Guam, Chairman of the Summit, Governor Benigno R. Fitial of CNMI, Governor Sebastian Anefal of Yap, Governor John Ehsa of Pohnpei, Governor Johnson S. Elimo of Chuuk and Governor Lyndon H. Jackson of Kosrae. This was President Loeak's first MCES as he recently finished his first 60 days as RMI President.

Being the premiere conference of the "heads of governments" in Micronesia, the Summit navigated under the theme "The Ocean Unites Us", drawing on analogies of the dynamic nature and enabling prowess of the vast ocean in areas of resources, information sharing, transportation, historical heritage, economic interdependency, and so much more. The venue also allowed for the leaders, many of whom graduates of the University of Guam, to part take in the university's festive commemoration for the 60^th anniversary of being an institution of higher learning in the entire region. Furthermore, the gathering on Guam high-beamed current "hot" issues relating to the scaling back of initial plans for U.S. military "build up" slated for Guam with anticipated opportunities for the region and the recurrent requests by affected U.S. jurisdictions, including Guam and CNMI, for a more adequate financial compensation from the U.S. Federal Government for various "impacts" they have to shoulder as a result of immigration from the Freely Associated States pursuant to Compact provisions.

As final decisions of the Summit, a total of nine resolutions were adopted and formally endorsed at the closing diner reception held at the Governor's Residence. The resolutions are:

Resolutions No. 17-01: a resolution calling for a "Health Care, Non-communicable Disease Law and Policy Summit and an increase in effort and technical resources, assisting the passage of evidence-based policies and laws dealing with NCD's in MCES jurisdictions. The resolution also calls for the Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) to convene a Regional NCD Policy Summit for chief executives, legislators, chief health executives and traditional leaders. The MCES Regional Health Committee is directed to identify and secure resources for the summit.

Resolution 17-02: a resolution "urging the members of the MCES to endorse and support implementation of the Sustainable Finance Plan for the Micronesia Challenge (MC) in each jurisdiction in order to ensure the long term sustainable funding for environment conservation in the Micronesia region".

Resolution 17-03: a resolution urging MCES member jurisdictions "to collaborate with local scientists, community members, educators, leaders and decision-makers to place climate change issues at the forefront of coral reef management through efforts to decrease global contributions to emissions" through policies, regulations, legislations, assessment and by building resiliency in community and the ecosystem.

Resolution 17-04: a resolution supporting and endorsing the "formation of the Women of Micronesia Exchange Network (WOMEN) to foster, promote and encourage full participation of women in leadership roles in civic and society and good governance".

Resolution 17-05: a resolution "endorsing the Micronesian Youth Services Network Conference Held in Koror, Palau from March 15-16, 2012".

Resolution 17-06: a resolution "urging the Development of Radio Free Micronesia, a Region Wide Public Broadcast Network that Applies the Best Available and Affordable Technology Toward Rebuilding a Common Electronic Medium for our people".

Resolution 17-07: a resolution "Endorsing the Micronesian Biodiversity Plan and Calling for Further Collaboration and Engagement of Local, Regional and International Partners".

Resolution 17-08: a resolution asking member jurisdictions to continue to endorse the Regional Workforce Development Council's (RWDC) Strategic Plan and its on-going work "in developing a regional talent development delivery system", and to consider the adoption of five (5) recommendations, among which is a recommendation for inclusion of FSM and RMI at the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA) annual meetings.

Resolution 17-09: a resolution "Endorsing the Request to the United States Department of the Interior by the Micronesian Center for a Sustainable Future (MCSF) to Allow the University of Guam to Sub-Contract the Management of Award No. TA-UOG-MCSF-2011-10 Directly to the MCSF".