BY LORETTA B MANELE
The former Small Island States (SIS) Chair, His Excellency, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Wesley Simina is pleased with the recent priority actions SIS has identified this year.
He spoke about this at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Small Island States Leaders Meeting at FFA (Forum Fisheries Agency) in Honiara on Monday, September 8, 2025.
In initial remarks, the former SIS Chair expressed that it has been an honour for them to serve as Chair in the last y ear.
“It has been an honour for the Federated States of Micronesia to serve as Chair of the Smaller Island States grouping over the last year,” he said.
Moreover, Simina stressed that he his pleased that officials have worked together this year to identify and streamline four priority actions for the SIS that will form the focus of their advocacy and mainstreaming as the SIS across existing regional mechanisms and processes.
“Indeed, the securing of reliable air and sea transport, advancing fisheries development, strengthening regional procurement and health workforce mechanisms, and enhancing access to climate finance are not abstract issues – they are the realities that we contend with on a daily basis,” he said.
Simina stated that although few in numbers, SIS embodies the challenges we experience as a region which is the stark reality of climate change, the challenges of connectivity and the tests of economic viability.
He mentioned that for Federated States of Micronesia, these realities are lived everyday.
“Our nation is vast in ocean yet scattered in islands, facing the high costs of distance, limited connectivity, and extreme exposure to climate change.
“Our remoteness and vulnerability are not signs of weakness, but enduring reminders of why the SIS must continue to stand together. Our grouping reminds the region that the measure of Pacific solidarity lies not in averages, but in our ability to elevate the most vulnerable among us,” said Simina.
