27 May 2016 - State agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and livestock agencies and representatives from research extension and statistics field offices along with supporting staff from the FSM Department of Resources and Development convened on May 23, 2016 for a week-long training workshop in Kolonia, Pohnpei to train the State Trainers for the 2016 FSM Integrated Agriculture Census (IAC) to fully prepare their respective State enumerators on the IAC materials to count natural resource information across the FSM.
Agriculture, forestry, fisheries, livestock, research extension and statistics representatives from the States of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap attended the workshop facilitated by the FSMR&D’s staff from the Division of Statistics and Division of Resource Management and Development), with support from the FSM National Congress, Food and Agriculture Organization to the United Nations (FAO), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), India Government and US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This multi-donor project is to support the 2016 FSM Integrated Agriculture Census with data collection of agriculture (crops and livestock), forestry and fisheries information from all households in the four FSM States. This information will be compiled at State and National levels to guide Government line agencies and policy-makers on developing sectoral interventions and development partners on technical assistance projects/programs.
The workshop included presentations from both national government support staff and state resource management experts in the field in which they gave an overview on team preparation, materials, support tools and lessons learned from the pre-testing trial to assist the 2016 FSM IAC State Trainers.
“I am one of those from Agriculture who insisted on this Census and this training gives me the confidence to learn from our pre-testing experience and carrying out the Census in July,” said Adelino Lorens, Pohnpei State Agriculture Division Chief.
“This workshop allows for a face-to-face time in coordinating with the Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap State Managers to develop a detailed training plan for our supervisors and enumerators,” said Marlyter Silbanuz, FSMR&D’s Agriculture Program Manager.
May 2016: Palikir, Pohnpei - Vice President Yosiwo P. George received a courtesy call from Bluewell Reinsurance Director and President, Mr. Toshikatsu Konno and Director and Secretary, Mr. Akira Nakao in the afternoon of Monday at the President's Conference Room.
In welcoming Mr. Konno and Mr. Nakao along with their delegation, Vice President George expressed his appreciation for the afforded visit and for Japan's corporate investment by doing captive insurance business in the FSM. During the brief meeting, both ends discussed development efforts through business expansion. In 2006, the FSM Congress enacted legislation that would allow captive insurance corporations to establish captives in the country. A number of Japanese-based corporations that has a vested interest in FSM's growth and development have differentiated the FSM from other domiciles for its unique and favorable tax structure. The FSM has developed a preeminent status as an appealing jurisdiction for Japanese businesses and as a result, the FSM captive insurance domicile has attracted almost twenty Japanese owned companies, either licensed or approved.
Accompanying Vice President George was Special Assistant Herman Semes Jr.
State fisheries agencies, non-government organization, and private sector representatives along with supporting regional partners across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) convened on May 17, 2016 at an inception workshop in Kolonia, Pohnpei to share information and lessons learned on sustainable fisheries management and provide guidance on further enhancing sustainable fisheries management through its national project objectives and deliverables.
Coastal fisheries management/development agency, NGO, and private sector representatives from the States of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap attended the workshop facilitated by the FSM Department of Resources and Development (FSMR&D) and National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA), with support from the World Bank funding Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP). This World Bank and Global Environment Facility Program is supporting 12 Pacific Island Countries to strengthen the management of Pacific Island fisheries, with technical assistance and backstopping from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency at the regional level.
The nature and economic contribution of coastal fisheries varies significantly among the four FSM States, as also do governance and management arrangements. These involve various forms of traditional, local and state control and jurisdiction. Because of the diversity of management arrangements, an initial study building on previous studies and/or work already carried out or underway and stakeholder consultations are planned in order to develop the detailed design of the coastal fisheries component of PROP in the FSM with the national government playing a coordinating and facilitating role through FSMR&D and NORMA.
The workshop included panel presentations from both state government officials and NGO experts in the field in which they gave an overview on their respective management frameworks and monitoring programs, and facilitated discussions on identifying capacity issues/gaps and opportunities.
“It complements our joint efforts between Government Agencies and NGOs on community-based ecosystem approach to fisheries management with our local communities and pleased to note that this project can further expand on this,” said Marcellus Akapito, Chuuk Conservation Society Director.
“This workshop is to give momentum on our collective effort and guide the consultative process of developing our priority activities within this project,” said Okean Ehmes, PROP Project Coordinator at NORMA.
18 May 2016 – This week, a select group of fifty-one Close-up students from across all four States, made a visit to the Office of the President meeting with FSM Vice President Yosiwo P. George at the President’s Conference Room.
Vice President George welcomed the students to the Capitol and spoke to them about the tasks, responsibilities and distinctive roles of the separated branches of the Nation’s system of governance and how they intricately interact. Through engaging discussions, the students were able to explore and pose concerns regarding the Compact post 2023, securing economic development and other interests concerning the government.
Designed to give the students an opportunity to interact with Leaders, the interactive experience with the National Government allowed the students to experience a “Close-up” view and real world insight of the Nation’s capital. The remarks made by Vice President George to the crowd of students emphasized on the importance of pursuing a higher education and using knowledge for affecting positive change in society. The visit ended with a question and answer period.
Under the direction of Secretary of Education, Kalwin Kephas, chaperons accompanied the students from each respective states. While at Capitol, the students received a tour throughout the 3 branches of the National Government.
The visiting group included eighteen students from Chuuk, eighteen from Pohnpei, eight from Kosrae and seven from Yap. Vice President was accompanied by special assistant, Mr. Herman Semes Jr.