Due to “pressing matters” here, Fitial could not attend the two-day summit and sent his special assistant to the administration, Esther Fleming, to represent him.
During the first day of the summit Fleming relayed Fitial’s deep regret for not being able to attend because pressing issues facing the CNMI “warranted his full attention.”
Regional health and tourism were the summit’s main topics.
Speaking for the governor, Fleming stressed to importance of sharing common goals in helping the various islands combat economic challenges.
She stressed the need to address critical matters —economic development, climate change, renewable energy and adequate healthcare.
Fleming also highlighted the need to ensure considerable progress for “regional self-sufficiency” and prosperity.
The summit’s regional health and tourism committees submitted reports and recommendations to address issues involving noncommunicable diseases, including tropical diseases like tuberculosis.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association, for its part, reported on the progress of developing a regional branding of tourist destinations in Micronesia.
