BY LORETTA B MANELE
Strategically, we must now look to the future, says outgoing Chair of Small Island States (SIS) and President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) His Excellency, Wesley Simina.
He expressed the sentiment whilst delivering remarks at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) “Small Island States Leaders Meeting” at FFA on Monday, September 8, 2025.
Simina emphasised that strategically, they must now look to the future as the task ahead is to consolidate the SIS Development Fund so that their priorities are not only acknowledged but financed.
“We must also continue to demand that regional and international partnerships recognise our realities — small in scale, but vast in ocean, culture, and resilience,” he added.
Simina also highlighted the theme for the 54th PIF Leaders Meeting ““Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for An Integrated Blue Pacific Continent”.
He said the theme carries a particular resonance for the Small Island States.
“For us, “acting now” should not be a mere slogan but an imperative of survival.
“Similarly, “integration” means a regional system that does not leave anyone behind but recognises that the strength of our Blue Pacific lies in the inclusion of its most vulnerable,” said Simina.
In further remarks, he stated that as FSM concludes in terms of being the Chair of SIS, he extends his gratitude to fellow leaders for their solidarity.
“Leadership in our Blue Pacific is shared — and it is through this collective approach that SIS will continue to transform vulnerabilities into opportunities for our peoples.
“I seek the meetings support for our colleague, President Maamau of Kiribati to assume the Chair of this 2025 SIS Leaders Meeting,” he said.
