Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Vice President Alik L. Alik attends the ITU world telecom 2012-World Leaders Summit

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): October 25, 2012 - FSM Vice President Alik L. Alik headed a delegation to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which was held on October 14-18 2012 at Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The ITU is the United Nations Specialized Agency for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), committed to connecting, protecting, supporting and assisting everyone's fundamental right to communication.

The leadership summit, which was attended by Heads of Governments, Ministers, Organizations, Regulatory Authorities, Industries, Pioneers and Digital Innovators from around the world, provided an unparalleled opportunity for international leaders to engage in positive dialogue with the principal stakeholders in the global ICT community to achieve meaningful solutions for the betterment of life of all citizens of the world.

Vice President Alik was nominated to chair and moderate the session on "Saving Lives With ICT". The Secretary General of ITU, Dr. Hamadoun I. Toure, expressed appreciation of FSM's active participation in this particular session and that ITU is including FSM in a project that is being pursued to develop Emergency Communications Networks for rural communities. The Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, Mr. Francis I. Itimai was also invited as panelist on two separate sessions, the "Emergency Communications" and "Ministerial Round Table", respectively. In addition, the FSM delegation also participated in the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Session.

Vice President Alik and Secretary Itimai were able to engage separately in meetings with Dr. Toure and Mr. Brahima Sanou, ITU BDT Director, specifically on issues of relevance to the FSM and other SIDS members on the ITU initiatives to include:

  • National Emergency Telecommunications Plans to establish comprehensive systems for early warning;

  • Infrastructure for disaster monitoring and dissemination of information;

  • Business continuity Plans;

  • Management of the radio frequency spectrum to ensure viable emergency communications;

Secretary Itimai emphasized in his panel discussions that FSM supports the ITU initiatives as it will benefit SIDS members and the FSM, stressing the critical importance of regional and international cooperation in taking the next steps forward in enhancing resiliency against natural disasters and calamities.

Mr. Sanou indicated that ITU plans for ICT initiatives for the Pacific Region in the development of Emergency Communications Networks for rural communities that would include the FSM.

The FSM Delegation to the Summit included Vice President Alik, Secretary Itimai and Jolden J. Johnnyboy, Assistant Secretary for Communication.

Several Pacific Island Countries, namely Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, attended the world event that brought together over 100 ITU members with over 5,000 participants.