FSM is Co-Host to 10th Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit

Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM is Co-Host to 10^th Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Service): November 21, 2008 - This week, Pohnpei State and the FSM National Government played host to the 10^th Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit or MCES held at the FSM-China Friendship Gymnasium at the COM-FSM National Campus. Delegates from Guam, CNMI, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and all four of the Federated States of Micronesia, plus participants from the FSM National Government, met in committees for two days to prepare presentations and recommendations to the nine Principals involved in this year's Plenary Session of the Summit held on Thursday, November 20^th.

This year, Summit participants were; the President of Palau, His Excellency Tommy Remengesau, Jr., the Minister of Foreign Affairs from the Marshall Islands, the Honorable Tony deBrum, the Governor of Guam, the Honorable Felix Camacho, the Governor of CNMI, the Honorable Benigno Fitial, the Governor of Yap State, the Honorable Sebastian Anafel, the Governor of Chuuk State, the Honorable Wesley Simina, the Governor of Pohnpei State, the Honorable John Ehsa, the Governor of Kosrae State, the Honorable Robert Weilbacher, and the chairman for the Summit, His Excellency Emanuel Mori, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, with assistance from Vice President Alik Alik.

Committee presentations were given from the Health Committee, the Regional Energy Committee, the Pacific Islands Regional Recycling Initiative (PIRRIC), the Micronesian Center for a Sustainable Future, the Regional Tourism Committee, the Regional Invasive Species Council (RISC), the Pacific Workforce Investment Workgroup, the Regional Transportation Committee, Micronesia Challenge, and the Telecommunications Group, plus guest presentations from Exmar Offshore Co., Nippon Oil, Digicel Telecommunications, and the Rural Internet Communication System.

During the Plenary session of the Summit, the Principals gave opening remarks, listened to committee reports, and discussed the recommendations from the committees. A Joint Communiqué was created from these discussions. The consensus of the Principals was that this gathering of Micronesian Chief Executives is very important to the region since as a group, they can leverage more resources and have a better chance of solving the challenges they face as a the region, rather than by working separately. Of note is that this is the last MCES that Palauan President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. will attend since he is finishing his second term as President of Palau and has been elected to the Congress of Palau, and this was the first seating of Governor Wesley Simina of Chuuk.

The MCES concluded with a dinner reception at PCR Nantehlik were all of the Principals gave closing remarks. Unfortunately, the Joint Communiqué was not completed until late in the evening, and the signing took place at separate sites on Friday, November 21^st, 2008. A copy of this Joint Communiqué is available through the FSM PIO office by calling 320-2548 or emailing at fsmpio@mail.fm.