Leaders officially open 20th Micronesian presidents’ summit
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, 31 August, 2021
Leaders officially open
20th Micronesian presidents' summit
The 20th Micronesian Presidents' Summit
officially opened with Nauru as host urging frank and candid
dialogue on the theme 'Sustainable Transportation and Trade through
the Micronesian Region', 31 August.
His Excellency President Lionel Aingimea, as chair and host,
welcomed the four presidents of the Micronesian countries -
President of Kiribati, Taneti Maamau; President of the Federated
States of Micronesia, David Panuelo; President of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, David Kabua; and President of Palau, Surangel
Whipps Jr.
President Aingimea says the theme is vital under the
circumstance of COVID-19, and also "far-reaching, presenting an
opportunity for our sub-region to work collectively and in
collaboration to promote prosperity through economic development,
peace, and security."
"Today, we convene the 20th MPS in an
environment overwrought with challenges, prevalent and emerging,
including COVID-19, climate change, food security, high
transportation costs, intrusive geo-politics, security issues and
of course our imminent withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum
Secretariat (PIFS).
"Against this backdrop, we as leaders are duty-bound to navigate
and guide our island nations towards a path of resilience and
sustainability for future generations.
"The journey towards reaching our sub-regional goals and
achievements can only be done in unity and through solidarity,"
President Aingimea said.
The other Micronesian leaders also delivered opening remarks
with similar sentiments of Micronesian cohesion, goals and
overcoming challenges.
Over the week, discussions will evolve around the following
sub-thematic papers:
1. Strengthening Trade through the MPS
a. Shipping services
b. Air services
2. Addressing sub-regional security
a. Protection of maritime zones in the face of climate-related
sea-level rise
b. Transnational Crime
c. Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
3. Establishment of the MPS Secretariat
a. Subregional Strategy