Palau to host Micronesian Presidents' Summit this week
Koror- Palau is hosting this year’s Micronesian President’s Summit, bringing together the chief executives of the independent countries of Micronesia including Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands, and for the first time, last year was expanded to include Kiribati and Nauru.
Slated on February 20 and 21, the annual meeting of the Micronesian presidents is an opportunity to discuss issues of common concern at the national, regional and international levels.In last year’s summit held at the Marshall Islands, the five presidents signed the Delap Joint Communique which delved into range of issues such as air space management and air services, regional maritime cooperation, transnational crime unit, regional vocational cooperation on agriculture, trade, technology, bulk purchasing of fuel and pharmaceutical supplies, and related issues.
The Presidents also discussed issues concerning climate change and sustainable sea transport.A new item on the agenda is for the leaders to select a candidate from their region to be the head of the Pacific Island Forum as its secretary general.
The selection of the secretary general is rotated among the group of islands and the Micronesian region is up next.So far no name of candidates has been made public.
FSM President Peter Christian, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, Kiribati President Taneti Maamau, and Nauru’s Baron Waqa’s representative are confirmed to attend the summit.
