The next Micronesian Chief Executives’Summit will be held in Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Northern Marianas Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, Palau Minister of Resource, Development and Tourism Harry Fritz, representing President Johnson Toribiong, Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori, Marshall Islands President Jurelang Zedkaia who was represented by Marshall Islands Minister-in-Assistance to the President Ruben Zackhras, Kosrae Lt. Gov. William Tosie, Chuuk Gov. Wesley Simina, Yap Governor Sebastian Anefal and Pohnpei Utilities Corp. Chairman William Kostka representing Gov. John Ehsa, signed a joint communiqué at the end of the summit.
Fitial, the chairman of this year’s event, thanked the delegates for their participation.
The delegates, in turn, thanked the governor and the CNMI government, for their hospitality and determination to host the event despite its limited resources.
Energy body
The Micronesian leaders agreed to promote the Micronesian Energy Association which will support and promote Regional Energy Committee’s goals of introducing alternative energy technologies on the islands and improving access to reliable supply of electricity in the region.
According to the communiqué, MEA is now finalizing its by-laws and articles of incorporation which will be circulated to the islands for their approval.
Once MEA is formally organized, a regional meeting will be convened within the next three months.
Because of their remote geographic location, the islands buy fuel at a more expensive rate than the rest of the world.
Their power plants are fuel-powered, thus, any rise on global oil price means an increase in power rates.
Guam which is one of the major military hubs of the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific Region, has begun exploring the solar system as alternative source of energy.
The Marshall Islands, through the help of the European Union, is experimenting on solar projects to energize its outer islands.
The Asian Development Bank is also assisting the Marshalls in implementing the “gasification project.”
FSM reported that it is conducting a wind mapping study for potential wind energy projects.
Island waste
Disposal of solid waste matter is also an important agenda among the chief executives of Micronesia.
The Pacific Islands Regional Recycling Initiative Council continues to advocate for recycling initiative and responsible disposal of solid waste on the islands.
In the CNMI, the council said the commonwealth government is soliciting proposals to conduct a waste characterization/feasibility study of Saipan’s waste to determine the potential for waste-to-energy technology applications.
Regional opportunities
The Micronesian chiefs also resolved to continue exploring economic opportunities for their islands and their people.
A regional satellite job corps center on Guam was again endorsed with the Micronesian leaders agreeing to send a letter of support directed to the U.S. Department of Labor.
With the anticipated military buildup project that involves the relocation of about 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam, the territory is foreseen to experience unprecedented economic activities that will generate thousands of jobs.
The leaders also agreed to collectively promote Micronesia through the adoption of “Made-in-Micronesia” strategy.
