Washington, D.C.– On June 25, 2025, Ambassador Jackson Soram, paid a courtesy visit on the Honorable William Hague, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular & International Affairs. This meeting marked the first engagement between the two officials since Mr. Hague assumed his position.
The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen the enduring partnership between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States through collaboration with key implementing departments. The Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association for the Freely Associated States.
During the meeting, both sides discussed upcoming forum meetings, such as the Micronesian Island Forum (MIF) in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) in the Solomon Islands. They also addressed ways to move forward on implementing certain provisions of the Compact that are of high priority. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing eagerness for continued engagement and collaboration, as well as anticipation for Mr. Hague’s eventual visit to the FSM.
Ambassador Soram was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission Filepin and First Secretary Welly. Mr. Angel Demapan, Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Mr. Justin Rhee, Special Advisor to the Secretary of DOI joined the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary from the U.S. side.
