Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Project for Expansion of Pohnpei Port” and “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Fishery Research Vessel)”
On September 3, in Pohnpei, the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E. Mr. KAGOMIYA Nobuo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Honourable Lorin S. ROBERT, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), signed and exchanged notes for “the Project for Expansion of Pohnpei Port” and “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Fishery Research Vessel)”(project up to 5.997 billion yen).
- “The Project for Expansion of Pohnpei Port” (up to 4.597 billion yen)
The FSM is an island country consisting of approximately 607 islands stretching in 2,550 km from east to west with 4 states. Due to its geographical characteristics, maritime logistics are indispensable for the maintenance of national life. The Pohnpei Port, in particular, is the largest port in the FSM, and serves as both a fishing port and a commercial port. In order to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of fishing vessels in recent years, fishing vessels are moored at all sides of the wharf when cargo vessels and fish carriers are not calling at the port, but those vessels often experience accidents crashing with others. It is, thus, becoming an issue to ensure safety of the port operation.
This cooperation is expected to contribute to easing congestion, improving safety, and improving maritime logistics by constructing a new quay equipped with vessel mooring facilities at the Port of Pohnpei, the largest port in the country. - “The Economic and Social Development Programme (Fishery Research Vessel)” (up to 1.4 billion yen)
This cooperation aims to promote sustainable fisheries development in the FSM where the fisheries industry is an essential source of income, by providing a fisheries research vessel and other equipment to be used to continue watching increases and decreases in the volume and distribution of fisheries resources. - In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held on July 18, Japan has announced “Resources and Economic Development”, ”Ocean and Environment” and "Technology and Connectivity" as priority areas of cooperation, and these projects embody the Plan.
The Federated States of Micronesia covers 700 square kilometers and has a population of 115,224 people (2023, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$4,150 (2023, World Bank).
On July 18, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was co-chaired by Prime Minister KISHIDA and Prime Minister BROWN of the Cook Islands, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Meeting was attended by the leaders and representatives of 19 countries, regions and regional organization including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, two French overseas collectivities, Australia, and New Zealand, and the chair of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). President Wesley W.Simina represented the FSM.
The Government of Japan announced Japan’s commitment to continue its robust development assistance and support for more than 6,500 people-to-people exchanges as well as human resource development over the next three years based on the seven priority areas of cooperation which are in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent or “2050 Strategy" of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): (1) Political Leadership and Regionalism, (2) People-centered Development, (3) Peace and Security, (4) Resources and Economic Development, (5) Climate Change and Disasters, (6) Ocean and Environment, (7) Technology and Connectivity.