Fellow leaders, citizens
and friends of the FSM.
In the festive spirit of the holiday season and the New Year
2013, please allow me to extend my best wishes to you and to thank you for all the
support and cooperation you have extended this past year.
This New Year 2013 is a pivotal year for the Nation as we
are half-way into the implementation of our Amended Compact of Free Association.
During the most recent leadership
conference in the FSM, I shared my views and perspectives with the conference participants,
impressing upon them that the issue of 2023 and Beyond has now become our most
pressing national focus of attention. I
also stated that this is not a one-man show as it will require the support and
cooperation of all leadership at all levels of government, among the branches
of government, as well as the participation of our traditional leaders, members
of the clergy, private sector, and civil society.
Needless to say, underpinning our collective efforts to
address 2023 and Beyond is the paramount issue of National Unity, which can be
sustained only through support and cooperation from all of our five
governments. As in any federation, this will be a formidable task and a
challenge, but I am pleased to acknowledge that we have taken the necessary
steps in the right direction in working with state governments in addressing
their pressing needs. Burden sharing is now generally accepted as a way to
share the nation’s resources, achievements as well as disappointments all across
our governments as we move forward together.
Secondly, while acknowledging that much progress has been
made in our political institutions and processes, we must accelerate our
efforts in developing our economy through the four priority sectors –
fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and energy. Our heavy reliance on foreign
financial assistance and imported goods must change. We must reorient our
attitude toward our God-given natural and human resources and realize the value
in nourishing and using them sensibly and sustainably. We must persist in promoting the planting and
consumption of healthy local food to foster a productive instead of a consuming
economy.
Thirdly, in addressing 2023 and Beyond or any issue of
development, our environment must be an integral part of the discussion. As a
Pacific island developing state with a fragile environment vulnerable to
disasters, this is even more imperative and urgent. Thus, in developing our economic and social
strategies, including further investments in the trust funds, the environment
must continue to command our attention and resources.
Lastly, we will be remiss when we talk about development
without acknowledging the contributions of our development partners and friends
to our nation building. We are indeed appreciative and grateful for their
generous assistance and cooperation which are not only contributing to our
economic and social improvements, but most importantly, are cementing and
strengthening the friendship that our peoples have come to enjoy. As small Pacific island nation, we cannot
reciprocate all that is given to us, but we are always pleased to “…extend to
all nations what we seek from each: peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in
our common humanity.”
As we celebrate the holiday season and embrace the dawn of
the New Year 2013, we thank the good Lord for the many blessings bestowed upon
us and our families. May He continue to shower us with His blessings of good
health, peace, and prosperity, and keep the Federated States of Micronesia in
His loving care.
Happy New Year!
President
Emanuel ‘Manny’ Mori
Emanuel ‘Manny’ Mori
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