LIEUTENANT Gov. Diego T. Benavente will head a five-man delegation that will head for Kolonia, Pohnpei for the 2nd Micronesia Traditional Leaders Conference set on July 15 to 18.
“I was asked by Gov. Juan N. Babauta to represent him and the CNMI government in this high-level conference,” Benavente told Variety yesterday. “It is an honor to lead the commonwealth delegation.”
During the conference, Benavente will discuss the CNMI’s efforts to preserve local culture.
The CNMI delegation will be joined by at least 120 political leaders and traditional leaders from 10 island states that include the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Guam will also participate in the conference which will be held at Pohnpei’s State Legislature.
Joining Benavente are Special Assistant for Administration Tom Tebuteb, Special Assistant for Regional Affairs Frank Rosario, Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta and Carolinian Affairs Resident Executive Victorino Igitol.
The conference is held every three years.
Iso Nahnken en Wein Nett, vice chairman of the Council of Pohnpei Traditional Leaders, and Nahnmwarki en Wein Madolenihmw, the council chairman, will formally open the conference.
Pohnpei State Gov. Johnny P. David will host a welcome dinner reception for the visiting dignitaries.
The formal session will start on the second day, July 16, with Federated States of Micronesia President Leo A. Falcam addressing the conference.
Rosario said the major topics that will be discussed in the conference are the “People’s Rights in a Traditional System of Government”; the “Conflicting Interests between the Traditional System and the Introduced System of Governments Toward Upholding and Preserving Tradition and Cultural Heritage”; and the “Impact of the Introduced System of Government on Traditional Natural Resources.”
The adoption of resolution will wrap up the conference. The delegates will then be invited to witness the opening of the 5th Micronesian Games which will start on June 21 in Pohnpei.
