FSM Independence Day celebration in Pohnpei

On the 3^rd of November 2015, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) celebrated its 29^th Independence anniversary at the Spanish Wall field.  On behalf of President Peter Christian, Vice President Yosiwo George delivered the keynote speech followed by the opening remark of First Lady Maurina Christian.

Marking this historic occasion of the Nation’s Independence, the event was celebrated with parade, local performers and festive events.  Students from different schools in Pohnpei gave speeches on the subject of FSM Independence and explained what Independence Day means to them.

Vice President George emphasized on concrete assurances on the pillars that built the Nation and noted the vision and ideals of the founding fathers that led to the formation of the federation. It was reiterated that strong commitment is central and the shared values and aspirations that carry out Nation building efforts deems to protect its citizens and their cultural heritage.  To echo the preamble, Vice President George said the following, “to make one nation of many islands, we respect the diversity of our cultures.  Our differences enrich us.  The seas bring us together, they do not separate us.  Our islands sustain us, our island nation enlarges us and makes us stronger.” In this context, unity within diversity deems to be self-evident as FSM continues to prove the concept of a multi-cultural nation.

Commemorating the founding of the democratic government on the FSM,  “It is the 29^th anniversary of our federation,” George said, “the federation for which our founding fathers were determined to exercise, inherent sovereignty of our country; the federation that had united our four island states.”  Under the trusteeship of the United Nations for many years, FSM emerged and transitioned into a self-governing nation and declared independence in 1986. Since then, FSM have gained diplomatic recognition in the regional and international arena, which allows the FSM to exercise all the rights of a sovereign nation. 

In honor of the 29^th Independence anniversary, a parade was led by the National Police, kicking off the event with the raising of the FSM flags.

First Lady Maurina Weilbacher and Vice President George led the 29^th Independence Day event and were accompanied by Executive Director of FSM National Fisheries Corporation, Peter Sitan; Post-Master General, Ginger P. Mida; Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Samson Pretrick and Pohnpei State Senator, Magdalena Walter.

World Diabetes Day in the FSM

The FSM National Department of Health and Human Services made a head start by leading other communities worldwide, to globally celebrate World Diabetes Day (WDD) last Friday, November 13, to increase awareness of the growing epidemic that is making a devastating impact in the FSM.  World Diabetes Day is November 14th and is the world's largest diabetes campaign that was first introduced by its founders World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 1991.

Amidst the concern of the growing threat of diabetes, the event was held at Capitol where free screening was provided, education and prevention were addressed and musical numbers performed by Ohwa High School students. A representative of Island Food Community shared a presentation on ways of promoting physical activity and the benefits of local food by providing information about the Micronesia One Diet All Today (MODFAT) plan.  The MODFAT dietary plan is designed to be a healthy diet that controls and prevents Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs).  This year's theme was "Make healthy eating a right, not a privilege".

According to studies, obesity and diabetes are leading health risks in Pacific Island Nations, where FSM ranks No. 2 in NCD risk factors. It has been estimated that most deaths in the country are diabetes-related.

Calling for greater action for diabetes advocacy and awareness, the Department of Health and Human Services provided participants with diabetes screening tests and various types of exercise equipment to promote physical activity. 

Unofficial Results: Totals for Governor and Lt. Governor (Pohnpei State)

Diplomatic Relations established between the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Kazakhstan

New York (27 October 2015): The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations at a ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations in New York.

Federated States of Micronesia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jane J. Chigiyal, and her counterpart from Kazakhstan, Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov, signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. 
The communiqué conveys the agreement of both States for their diplomatic relations and their mutual desires to develop and strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation. The communiqué further states that their diplomatic relations will be guided by the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, dated 18 April 1961, and on the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

In a brief meeting after the signing ceremony, the two Ambassadors discussed the need to cooperate on climate change and on a wide range of sustainable development related issues.  Training and tourism were sectors identified as key areas in the new partnership. 

With the signing of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic became the seventy seventh (77^th) country with which the Federated States of Micronesia has established diplomatic relations.

Countries Agree to Use Montreal Protocol to Phase Down HFCs

Contacts: Durwood Zaelke zaelke@inece.org, (202) 498-2457; Katie Fletcher kfletcher@igsd.org, (202) 338-1300

Details to be negotiated next year

Can avoid 100 billion tons of carbon dioxide, 0.5°C of warming

Dubai, 6 November 2015 – The countries of the world agreed today to work together in 2016 to use the Montreal Protocol to eliminate the global warming contribution from one of the six main greenhouse gases by phasing down refrigerants called hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. A long list of details are scheduled to be negotiated during a series of meetings next year during, both at an extraordinary Working Group meeting and an extraordinary Meeting of Parties.  The Montreal Protocol is the only UN treaty where all 197 countries of the United Nations participate.

“Many parties including the U.S., Mexico, Canada, island States, and the 54 countries of the Africa Group wanted to move faster with the details this week, but Gulf States and India demanded delay on details until after COP 21 in Paris next month, raising a red flag about their tactics in Paris,” said Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, who participated in the Dubai negotiations.  Zaelke added, “If there’s a silver lining to this slow deliberation, it’s that the parties will be able to implement a strict phase down schedule much faster than usual. The market for superior substitutes is on the march and will be sweeping up the slow moving companies.”

“After seven years of efforts, we have at last agreed to amend the Montreal Protocol next year to phase down HFCs,” said Jeem Lippwe, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United Nations, who led his country’s delegation.  “This is a significant win for the climate system and for the momentum of multilateral climate cooperation heading into Paris.”

HFCs are increasing 10-15% per year, making them the fastest growing greenhouse gas in much of the world. They were once thought necessary to replace ozone-depleting substances like CFCs and HCFCs, which are now being phased out. A study by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory concluded that currently available alternatives to HFCs performed as well as or better in the hottest climates such as the Gulf.  

Phasing down HFCs will provide climate mitigation up to 100 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050 and avoid up to 0.5°C of warming by 2100.  This will be a major contribution to the world’s efforts to keep temperatures from passing 2°C above pre-Industrial levels, beyond which potentially irreversible and catastrophic climate impacts are expected.  The world’s temperature has already risen by nearly 1°C.

The Montreal Protocol is widely considered the world’s best environmental treaty.  It has already phased out nearly 100 chemicals that were damaging the stratospheric ozone layer, while also providing the most climate mitigation of any treaty, the equivalent of 135 billion tons of carbon dioxide. Its success has avoided $1.8 trillion in health care costs, according to Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, in his remarks yesterday at the opening of the high-level segment of the negotiations.

The past phase outs of refrigerants also has catalyzed improvements in the energy efficiency of the air conditioners and other appliances using the refrigerants, often by 30 to 60%.  Improving efficiency of room air conditioners could save enough energy to avoid building up to 2,500 medium-size power plants by 2050, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. (There are currently 2,300 coal-fired power plants in the world.)  This would avoid the equivalent of up to an additional 100 billion tons of carbon dioxide by 2050, while also saving money for consumers.

IGSD’s Primer on HFCs is here.

**** To view Jeem Lippwee's full statement, please click here.

FSM BOXER AWARDED ANOC 2015 PACIFIC GAMES FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

By Jim Tobin, FSMNOC

Jennifer Chieng, FSM female boxer, from Yap State, FSM was awarded the ANOC 2015 Pacific Games Female Athlete of the Year Award at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) annual general assembly on Thursday, October 29^th in Washington DC, USA. 

Chieng won a gold medal in Boxing at the recently concluded 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea.  Her coach was Erick Divinagracia, President of the FSM Boxing Association.  She is currently ranked #2 in Women’s Amateur Boxing Lightweight division in USA.  She is the 2015 NY Daily Golden Gloves Champion, Lightweight division, and the 2014 USA National Silver Medalist – Lightweight division. Chieng is training full time in New York City, NY, USA preparing  to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.  She is one of 4 FSM athletes that have received, through the FSMNOC, a 2-year athlete training scholarship from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The FSM National Olympic Committee (FSMNOC) is one of 205 NOCs that are members of ANOC.  This was the first year that ANOC awarded male and female athletes of the year from the 5 continents of Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe and Americas. Chieng, nominated by the FSMNOC, was one of 6 Oceania region female finalists.  The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) Athletes Commission then selected the top three finalists and submitted to an ANOC Selection Committee who made the final selection.  In early October, the FSMNOC and Chieng were informed that she had been awarded the ANOC 2015 Pacific Games Female Athlete of the Year.

Chieng, and her 4 year old son Adam, attended the awards ceremony, along with FSMNOC representatives Berney Martin and Jim Tobin.  Over 1200 sports leaders from around the world attended the ceremony which was broadcast live to over 120 countries.  Prior to the ceremony, Chieng was presented a $25,000 check from FSM Congress from Vice Speaker Berney Martin.  The money was given to Chieng to support the high training costs in New York.  Chieng decided to take a one year leave from her  job at the Bank of New York to focus on competing in the Olympic Games.  She thanked FSM Congress Speaker TH Wesley Simina, Vice Speaker Martin, Yap FSM Senators Isaac V. Figir and Joseph J. Urusemal, and the members of the FSM Congress for their support.

Although Jennifer may have moved from Micronesia to the US mainland she is still definitely 100% Micronesian. Regarding being a role-model and representing the FSM, Jennifer said: “I’m just very happy and honored that I got this chance to represent my country …I would encourage the youth especially all of the young women and men to find what they are passionate about and pursue it. I love this sport and so I hope that this win will generate more interest in boxing and more participation by the youth and everyone in Micronesia.”

The link to the ANOC YouTube channel and video of the award ceremony can be found at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaILGQTubskSN1rY1jVi0BA

Additional photos and comment can be found on Facebook : ONOC Digest.

President Christian Receives the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

 

On Monday, October 26, 2015, President Peter M. Christian received the Letter of Credence of H.E. Maria Christina Theresia Derckx, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Federated States of Micronesia, in an official ceremony held at the President’s conference. She is cross-accredited from Manila, Philippines.

In welcoming Ambassador Derckx, President Christian opened dialogue by congratulating the newly appointed Ambassador and noted the working relationship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the FSM. The President took the opportunity to touch on climate change and other issues of regional importance. Ambassador Derckx thanked the President and expressed the Kingdom of the Netherlands keen interest to work with the FSM both regionally and internationally.  Netherland’s upcoming assumption to the Presidency of the European Union and its interest in the United Nations Security Council were also discussed.

Both President Christian and Ambassador Derckx reaffirmed that the two countries continue to elevate their friendship by strengthening their bilateral relationship.

Accompanying the Ambassador was her husband Sjef Ijzermans. Also present at the ceremony were Secretary of the Department of Resources & Development Marion Henry, Secretary of Department of Education Kalwin Kephas, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs Samson Pretrick, Special Advisor to the President on Micronesia Regional Affairs Speaker Dohsis Halbert, and staffs.