PALIKIR, Pohnpei—His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and the Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of the FSM, recently met to discuss good governance, regional priorities, and the needs of the FSM’s citizens.
President Panuelo briefed Vice President Palik on the recent engagements at the 12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders in Honolulu; the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York City; and the U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit in Washington, D.C. In turn, Vice President Palik—who had requested lengthy briefings from each of the FSM Government’s agencies and departments—relayed to President Panuelo items of mutual interest and concern.
President Panuelo and Vice President Palik agreed that it will ultimately serve the interests of the FSM’s citizenry for them to split which departments they focus their time and attention on. In this regard, Vice President Palik has been asked to focus on the Departments of Resources & Development, Education, Health & Social Affairs, the FSM Public Defender’s Office, and the FSM Post Office. President Panuelo will retain his focus on all other Departments and agencies.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with Vice President Palik consenting to President Panuelo’s request that he attend the forthcoming Joint Committee Meeting between the FSM Government and the U.S. Government to discuss national and regional security issues. President Panuelo, by contrast, will remain in the FSM and work closely with the Department of Justice and Blue Prosperity Micronesia on the recently submitted Marine Spatial Planning legislation, as well as provide a keynote address at the forthcoming 39th gathering of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures.
