“Our strength lies in our unity and our collective commitment to safeguarding our nation’s future. By working together, sharing knowledge, and leveraging our strengths, we can overcome the challenges ahead, including those posed by climate change, and achieve our shared vision of a healthy, resilient, and thriving Micronesia. Let us continue to walk this path together, ensuring that every step forward brings us closer to realizing our shared dreams of a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is at a critical juncture where strategic partnerships and effective resource management are crucial as we strive toward a future of self-reliance and prosperity. The Compact of Free Association and various Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) programs have been instrumental in our progress, helping us enhance infrastructure, healthcare, and education. However, our journey is far from over. We face urgent and pressing challenges, particularly the existential threat of climate change, which is not a distant concern but a present reality, impacting our islands, livelihoods, and way of life. Our commitment is to ensure that all external support aligns with our national priorities and focuses on sustainable solutions that build long-term resilience for our people and environment.
The Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and Compact Management (CM) Office are the backbone of our efforts, ensuring that every dollar received is utilized effectively, transparently, and aligned with the nation’s Strategic Development Plan, in relation to other regional and international commitments such as the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda. Their role is pivotal in our belief in approaches that address immediate needs and fortify our communities against future challenges, particularly climate change-related ones. By emphasizing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, we strive to maximize the impact of international support and advance our vision of a self-sufficient FSM prepared to meet our time’s global climate and environmental challenges.
I reiterate my call to all stakeholders–government entities, private sector partners, civil society, and communities–to join us in this critical endeavor. Our strength lies in our unity and our collective commitment to safeguarding our nation’s future. By working together, sharing knowledge, and leveraging our strengths, we can overcome the challenges ahead, including those posed by climate change, and achieve our shared vision of a healthy, resilient, and thriving Micronesia. Let us continue to walk this path together, ensuring that every step forward brings us closer to realizing our shared dreams of a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
