Micronesian leaders set to convene regional summit tomorrow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2012
Focused on building a globally competitive Micronesia economy, Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio welcome their fellow regional leaders to the 17th Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit hosted by the people of Guam.
Governor Calvo, along with His Excellency Emanuel Mori, President of the Federated States of Micronesia; His Excellency Johnson Toribiong, President, Republic of Palau; His Excellency Christopher Loeak, President, Republic of the Marshall Islands; The Honorable Benigno R. Fitial, Governor, CNMI; The Honorable Sebastian L. Anefal, Governor of Yap State; The Honorable John Ehsa, Governor of Pohnpei State; The Honorable Johnson S. Elimo, Governor of Chuuk State; and The Honorable Lyndon H. Jackson, Governor of Kosrae State will officially begin the regional summit tomorrow, March 14, 2012, at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort.
“We are amidst some very challenging and uncertain times. But this is why we’re coming together. We can start a movement for a “One Micronesia” voice,” Governor Calvo said. “I know our people have so many good ideas to improve our quality of life and I think that if we can commit to putting our ideas into action, we can build a globally competitive Micronesian economy. Any prosperity that comes from this region must first come from within.”
Summit organizers, composed of designated representatives from the nine jurisdictions of Micronesia and other organizations including:
- Region IX, Federal Regional Council
- President and Executive Director of the National Association Regional Council
- Office of Insular Affairs
- Guam Regional Medical City
- National Invasive Species Council
- USDA State Office of Hawaii
- Global Island Partnership
- United Nations Environmental Program
Representatives have been developing an agenda set to focus discussions on various topics such as economic development, workforce development, healthcare, tourism and renewable energy.
The 17th MCES, as with previous summits, provides an important opportunity for leaders to come together to discuss issues facing the region and develop strategies to help improve the quality of life of citizens throughout Micronesia.
The United States Affiliated Islands of Micronesia are experiencing a period of rapid economic change, urbanization and globalization with an increasing significance to U.S. national security. In response to common challenges unique to small developing states, the member jurisdictions established in the Micronesia Chief Executives’ Summit in 2003.
Micronesian Chief Executives have since met bi-annually and have produced a number of joint communiqués with related resolutions, letters, plans of action and regional partnership arrangements. These cooperative arrangements form an emerging foundation of regional cooperation and governance. Because the Islands of Micronesia are all communities that draw their economic livelihood, cultural values, spiritual well-being and civic strength from their ocean-based environments, many common activities focus on environmental protection and sustainable development.
The primary purpose of the MCES is to coordinate and implement regional strategies to assist its member jurisdictions. Among those initiatives are the following:
- The Micronesian Challenge
- The Pacific Islands Regional Recycling Initiative Council
- The Regional Invasive Species Council
- The Regional Energy Committee: Green Energy Micronesia
- The Regional Telecommunications Committee
- The Regional Tourism Committee
- The Regional Transportation Committee
- The Regional Workforce Development Council
- The Regional Health Committee
- The Micronesian Center for a Sustainable Future (serving as Secretariat to the MCES).
17thMCES Agenda
Contact Natalie Quinata at 475-9309 or 488-6013 for more information.
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