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Executive Order No. 40 issued to establish 2023 Planning Committee

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 27, 2012 - President Manny Mori issued Executive Order No. 40, establishing the "2023 Planning Committee" on March 6, which is to be comprised of one (1) representative from each of the four States and the National Government. The States' representatives will be appointed by the respective Governors while the Chairperson of the committee shall be appointed by the President.

The creation of the committee is in line with the discussions made at the State and National Leadership Conference held in Pohnpei in February, 2012 where the Leaders explored a number of feasible approaches, should cessation of financial assistance under the Amended Compact fall in place beginning 2023.

As specific tasks for the committee, the President has identified the following, as explained in the Executive Order: (1) Undertake assessment of the nature and magnitude of the financial situation of the FSM Governments in 2024 onwards and identify the expected budgetary shortfalls; (2) Explore different alternatives and funding scenarios for addressing the projected budgetary shortfalls; (3) Develop and present to the leadership a realistic and reliable action plan for addressing the looming financial shortfall in 2024 and beyond; (4) others as may be necessary to complete the committee's task.

The President also states that "it is imperative for the FSM Governments to take the initiative" in seeking understanding of the issues that derive from the decreases and possible cessation of financial assistance under the Amended Compact, studying their "implications on the lives of citizens" and the effective solutions to pursue.

Through a March 9 letter to Speaker Isaac V. Figir, the President has made a request for an amount of $207,000 to fund the committee's meetings, participants' allowances, consultants' contracts and other necessary needs.

Pursuant to the Executive Order, the committee shall accomplish its task within one year, or as soon as practical, "and transmit to the FSM President and the entire leadership a report of its findings and recommendations".

The Office of Statistics, Budget, Overseas Development and Compact Management (SBOC) will be the Secretariat for the committee.

For more information, please contact the Office of SBOC at 320-6260.