Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Third State and National Leadership Conference ends with two major decisions

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 26, 2010 - The Third FSM State and National Leadership Conference (SNLC) held at the College of Micronesia (COM) FSM Gym, Pohnpei, on March 18th and 19th, 2010, ended with the Principals signing on two main decisions: a Declaration of Commitment on Food Security and a Resolution proposing the creation of a Seventh Compact Sector Grant for "Enhanced Reporting and Accountability."

Though the Declaration and the Resolution are not legally binding documents, they however constitute a strong signal toward ensuring food security throughout the FSM as well as enhancing the utilization of Compact Grants to achieve developmental objectives in the FSM.

Following the Declaration on Food Security, both States and National Governments will now adopt and implement necessary policy measures and plan of actions to ensure that food is available in sufficient quantities and on a consistent basis; and that all FSM citizens have sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet. The FSM Government is convening a National Food Summit next week (March 29th - April 1st) in preparation for a regional Food Summit which will be held in Port Vila, Vanuatu in April. It is clear that this would require the effective participation of both private and public stakeholders, as well as the cooperation of rural communities and individuals.

The Third SNLC also adopted important decisions on:

  • the appropriation of the Compact Grant for Architecture & Engineering services for pre-design planning and design plans for construction of all September 2009 JEMCO approved Compact infrastructure projects;

  • the mandate given to the task force established by the President to outsource the necessary funding with the view to extend the coverage of the Submarine Fiber Optic Cable (SFOC) to the three other FSM States (Chuuk, Kosrae and Yap);

  • the line of credit from the European Investment Bank to the FSM Development Bank (FSMDB) for re-lending to local entrepreneurs; and,

  • the FSM Fishery Rehabilitation Loan Proposal.


The Third SNLC also considered and took note of recent developments in relation with:

  • the tax reform currently being completed by the Task Force chaired by Vice-President Alik Alik, which is expected to be submitted to the FSM Congress for consideration during its May regular session;

  • the increasing challenges facing the FSM Social Security System and the need for immediate funding from both the National and State Governments to relieve the system and other actions, including the repealing of mandatory retirement age statutes;

  • the support for the National Government to proceed to accept Automotive Diesel Oil (ADO) in accordance with the Exchange of Note between the governments of the FSM and Japan and the need for State Governments to appropriate the Japan Non-Project Grant in accordance with the said Exchange of Note;

  • Bill NO. 16-08 aiming at establishing the National Government's regulatory power over Telecommunication Operation in the Federated States of Micronesia; and,

  • the various options to improve Air Transport Service in the FSM and the need to centralize and coordinate inter-islands shipping throughout the FSM

The Private Sector, represented by the FSM Association of Chambers of Commerce, thanked President Mori for including the business community in the conference and for the efforts undertaken by the Government to revamp the Association. Mr. Bill Stinnet, Interim President of the Association, also took the opportunity to share some of the concerns of the Private Sector with the Leadership. These include entry permits for foreign workers, tax and related issues, social security for employees from the Private Sector, economic and telecommunication infrastructure, and safety issues with returning deportees from outside of the FSM.

Attending the Third SNLC were the FSM President, H.E. Emanuel Mori, Vice President Honorable Alik Alik, the Speaker of the FSM Congress, the Honorable Isaac Figir, Governors Robert Weilbacher of the State of Kosrae, Wesley Simina of the State of Chuuk, John Ehsa, of the State of Pohnpei, and Sebastian Anefal of the State of Yap. Members of the National and State Cabinets, National and State Senators, members of Diplomatic Missions, representatives of Municipal Governments, supporting staff and representatives from the private sector were also present.

The Third SNLC Conference was chaired by Governor Weilbacher of Kosrae State, and the Acting Secretary for the FSM Department of R&D, Mr. Marion Henry, assumed the role of Facilitator.

For more information, please contact the Secretariat of the Conference (FSM Department of Resources and Development) at telephone number (691) 320-5133.