Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Samoa's Forum focus on Pacific Plan

Apia, SAMOA (FSMIS): August 11, 2004 - President Joseph J. Urusemal is among the Leaders of the Pacific islands countries in Samoa for the 35th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Summit, to consider among other issues, the framework for the Pacific Plan.

The "plan" is envisioned to guide the region towards the new vision for the Pacific which intends for the people of the Pacific to lead "free and worthwhile lives."

The 35th Forum is a series of weeklong meetings which began on August 3rd, with the Forum Officials Committee sessions. The Federated States of Micronesia representatives to the session of the Forum Officials Committee include: FSM's Ambassador to Fiji - Ambassador Godaro Gallen, FSM Assistant Attorney General - Marstella E. Jack, Assistant Secretary of Economic Affairs - Roger Mori and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs - Ricky Cantero.

These sessions provide the officials of the Forum's 16-member states a chance to review the outcome of the various forum meetings held throughout the past year to present a condensed overview for consideration by the Leaders during their retreat.

This year's Leaders Retreat was held at the Sinalei Reef Resort. The retreat presents an informal setting for the Leaders to review results of the officials' sessions and agree on the best directions to address the challenges facing the Pacific region.

Following the retreat, the Leaders present these guidelines during the Forum's Formal Session. During the Session, the Forum Leaders, through its appointed Chairman [Samoa - 35th PIF], highlight the decisions and directions for the pacific region for the upcoming year. These guidelines are further detailed through a communiqué.

Along with the Pacific Plan, the other issues of concern at this years Forum include:

  1. Economic Growth, which highlighted the following areas of concern:

    • Pacific Regional Transport Study (PRTS), Fisheries and mobile phones.


  2. Sustainable Development, among which the following areas were highlighted:

    • HIV/AID - Regional Strategy, Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy, Environment Vulnerability Index, FFS Vessel Monitoring System, Western and Central Pacific Tuna Convention and the issue of Climate Change/Climate Variability and Sea Level Rise.


  3. Regional Security and Good Governance, highlighted the following areas:

    • RAMSI (Mission to Solomon), Nauru, Transnational Organized Crime and Terrorism, UN Convention against Corruption, Shipment of radioactive materials, South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone treaty and Civil Society.


Details of the Communiqué are available at: www.fsmpio.fm

The Pacific Island Forum represents Heads of Government of all the independent and self-governing Pacific Island countries, Australia and New Zealand. Since 1971 it has provided member nations with the opportunity to express their joint political views and to cooperate in areas of political and economic concern.

The Pacific Islands Forum 16-members include: Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

President Urusemal and his delegation are scheduled to leave Samoa on August 11th. Along with the FOC participants, the President's delegation also include: Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs - Lorin Robert and Special Assistant to the President for Information - Lynn Narruhn.