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UNDP regional team on mission to Pohnpei

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Department of Foreign Affairs): April 25, 2005 - The Department of Foreign Affairs coordinated the Mission's meeting with appropriate officials from the FSM Department of Economic Affairs, Pohnpei State Small Business Development Centre (College of Micronesia), and project managers of UNDP funded projects.

During the visit, there were also discussions on the possibility of UNDP establishing a sub-regional office in the northern pacific, preferably here in the FSM, if the government is willing to meet its financial and logistical obligations under a proposed MOU.

UNDP has provided assistance to the FSM through programs such as the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP) and the "Community Conservation and Compatible Enterprise Development" project with the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP). An export development project is also under consideration now, in collaboration with the UNDP, University of Hawaii (UH), Department of Interior (DOI), the FSM National and the four State Governments.

Mr. Patrick Tuimaleali'ifano, UNDP Program Officer for FSM, accompanied Deputy Resident Representative Hans de Graaff during the visit.