June 2023

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: June 30, 2023 – A joint leadership meeting was held at the Governor’s conference room. Governor Oliver and members of his cabinet welcomed Speaker Yamaguchi, Senators of the 10th Pohnpei Legislature and local Chief executives and Speakers. The joint leadership meeting primary topic was the upcoming plebiscite and support for the proposed eight constitutional amendments on July 4, 2023. Members of the Constitutional convention awareness team were also present. Unanimous support for the 8 proposed constitutional amendments by the 4th constitutional convention was voiced by Speaker Yamaguchi and the Local Chief Executives. The full video of the leadership meeting is available on Pohnpei Public Broadcasting Corporation’s YouTube channel. Please click the link below:

PICS Field, Pohnpei: June 27, 2023 – Governor Oliver and Speaker Yamaguchi attended the 72nd commencement exercises for PICS High School.  Under the banner/theme “Endless educational commitments ensure and promote all learning” translated figuratively into Pohnpeian as “Tuhken wahr tupwutupw wahr seisei”, 217 students transitioned to graduates of PICS High School class of 2023.     Vice President of the Parent-Teacher Association Mr. Engily Ioanis delivered welcoming remarks.  Speeches were also delivered by the Salutatorian Jessa Holiday and Valedictorian Valigene Loney.     Keynote Speaker, Mr. Mason Albert, Noahs U and Vice President of the National Fisheries Corporation delivered an inspiring speech to the students.  As a graduate of PICS High School class of 1990 Mr. Albert gave some valuable advice to the students.  He advised the students to stay committed to their goals and at that same time understand that opportunities are all around them.  Governor Oliver also delivered special remarks.  He expressed appreciation and pride for the accomplishments of the 217 graduating Seniors.  He echoed the charge of the keynote speaker for each student to pursue what they are passionate about, and added to the theme “tuhken wahr tupwatupw wahr seisei” saying that where there is no struggle there is no progress.     Over 75% of the graduating seniors will be furthering their education at the College of Micronesia.  Congratulations to the Graduates and their families.      

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: June 8, 2023 – Governor Oliver and First Lady Estle G. Oliver were joined by Lt. Governor Ioanis and 2nd Lady Lilly Jean Ioanis to welcome the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E. Wesley W. Simina and the Vice President of the FSM, T.H. Aren B. Palik, along with the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the FSM and Speaker of the 23rd FSM Congress, T.H. Esmond Moses and his wife to Peilapalap. The visit was the first state-visit for the Simina/Palik administration. The welcome at the Governor’s conference room was preceded by a welcome of students from Pohnpei Catholic School, who lined the driveway entering the Governor’s office to welcome the President and Vice President with a song. In the Governor’s conference room, the program was led by the Master of Ceremonies, Pohnpei State Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Peteriko Hairens, who introduced Lt. Governor Francisco Ioanis for welcoming remarks. Lt. Governor Ioanis welcomed the President, Vice President and Speaker. He thanked the President for his visit, which he referred to as a gesture of unity, and a reminder that to lead is to serve. Speaker Marvin T. Yamaguchi, delivered remarks on behalf of the 10th Pohnpei Legislature, joining the Lt. Governor, Governor and people of Pohnpei to welcome the President and Vice President. Speaker Yamaguchi noted that challenges will be coming and said together we can achieve what was once thought impossible. Speaker Moses also delivered remarks, noting that it has been a long time a state visit was done, and it is long overdue. He noted that there is a lot of work ahead and for all to work together. He highlighted the recent signing of compact agreements, noting that the last amended compact was not fully utilized and that now is the time for collaboration and to update development plans. He closed by saying that he was happy to join the state visit to show appreciation for the President’s early start to visit the states of the federation, starting with Pohnpei. Governor Oliver spoke before the final remarks by President Simina. He called the President’s first state visit a moment of great significance for the nation and a source of pride for the people of Pohnpei, the host of the FSM National Government. Governor Oliver went on to say that President Simina’s visit held great promise and offered a unique opportunity to further strengthen the ties that bind us. Before closing, Governor Oliver said: “Let us remember the power of unity and strength lies within our collective efforts. Together we can overcome any obstacle, build resilient communities and create a better future for generations to come.” President Simina extending his thanks to the Governor and Lt. Governor assuring them and all that the visit comes from the heart, which is why the visit was done as early as possible. President Simina noted that he puts a premium on getting to know people, state officials and needs, developing rapport and building bridges of solidarity. The President said that he and Vice President are committed to doing their best but can’t do it alone. He called for the importance of domestic mechanism in place for collaboration, cooperation and progress. President Simina highlighted the importance of State and National Leadership Conferences (SNLC) as venues to share and discuss important domestic issues, which he called key ingredients of FSM’s foreign policy. He also acknowledged the important role of donor partners to the FSM, as well as the FSM’s growing diplomatic members. President Simina thanked Governor Oliver, Lt. Governor Ioanis and Pohnpei for being a gracious host to the National Government and invited everyone present to join him and Vice President Alik for their inauguration on July 26, 2023. Following the remarks, Governor Oliver and Lt. Governor Ioanis presented gifts to the President and Vice President, along with the First Lady Oliver and Second Lady Ioanis presented gifts to the First Lady and Second Lady of FSM. A sakau ceremony was performed after the speeches and students from Nett Elementary School performed traditional dances for the President, Vice President, First and Second Ladies. You can watch the visit on video at: https://youtu.be/KGzLX2cXWCU

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: May 19, 2023 – The Deputy Chief of Mission/Charge’ d’affaires of the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in the Republic of Fiji, Mr. Wilson Waguk, paid a courtesy call on Governor Oliver. All heads of FSM Foreign missions have returned to the country after the change of the administration, and as a matter of protocol and courtesy pay a visit to the Governor of Pohnpei as the host state of the Federated States of Micronesia. During the courtesy call, Mr. Waguk had the pleasure of informing Governor Oliver of the success of FSM Students studying in the Republic of Fiji. He shared that while the number of students studying in Fiji has been reduced, the students he has encountered from the FSM are the most serious, mature and well-behaved students who are excelling in their studies. He advised Governor Oliver that there have been no problems encountered regarding students in Fiji. He went on to share the total number of FSM students studying in Fiji is 33, with 19 from Pohnpei. Most students are studying under fully covered AusAid scholarships, there are 12 studying as nurses, doctors and lab technicians, three studying urban regional planning, and one theology student. Governor Oliver thanked Mr. Waguk for his visit and the updates. He congratulated Mr. Waguk and his staff for their good work in Fiji, taking care of our students, noting that his First Secretary, Mr. Rofino Roby is a native of Pohnpei. Governor Oliver asked Mr. Waguk to continue to update the Governor’s Office on the progress of Pohnpeian students, especially those in the medical field, as Pohnpei has an urgent need for more medical workers.

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: May 19, 2023 – The FSM Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Vincent Sivas and Deputy Chief of Mission, Francis Anefal, paid a courtesy call on Governor Oliver. During the courtesy call, Ambassador Sivas and Deputy Anefal thanked Governor Oliver for receiving them and thanked the Governor for his leadership during the pandemic. Ambassador Sivas then shared updates from the Embassy including scholarship and training opportunities available. Ambassador Sivas noted that during the last round for Chinese Scholarships, not all available slots were filled and encouraged students in Pohnpei and across the nation to take full advantage of scholarships to China, citing local Ambassadors of Chinese Education: Dr. Nora Liwy in Pohnpei and Engineer K.k. Kiyoshi in Chuuk . Ambassador Sivas shared that there are currently 26 students from the FSM studying at Universities in China. He also spoke of vocational training opportunities that are available and informed Governor Oliver that the Embassy has a database of legitimate companies, so citizens wanting to engage with businesses in China can contact them via email: embassy@fsmembassy.cn to ensure they are dealing with legitimate businesses. Ambassador Sivas assured the Governor that FSM’s relationship with China remains strong and the FSM Embassy in Beijing, China stands ready to assist Pohnpei and all States. Governor Oliver conveyed his appreciation to Ambassador Sivas and Deputy Anefal for their visit and all the updates they provided, noting the educational scholarships and vocational opportunities. Governor Oliver assured Ambassador Sivas that Pohnpei will support awareness efforts for these opportunities and looks forward to working with the FSM Embassy in Beijing on educational, health and infrastructure projects.

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: May 18, 2023 – Governor Oliver and Lt. Governor Ioanis received H.E. John Fritz, Ambassador to Japan. Ambassador Fritz was accompanied by his daughter Mickey and staff from the FSM Embassy, Ms. Christina Shigeta, who hails from Kitti, Pohnpei. Ambassador Fritz shared updates from the FSM Embassy in Japan with the Governor including expanding accreditation for the Embassy to Vietnam and the Republic of the Philippines. Governor Oliver expressed his appreciation for the Ambassador’s visit. He appreciated the updates provided by Ambassador Fritz, noting an upcoming student exchange program involving Pohnpeian students, and looked forward to more educational opportunities in Japan for Pohnpeian students. More information on the FSM Embassy in Japan can be found on their website: Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia in Japan (fsmemb.or.jp)

Thank you to JICA Micronesia Office for the courtesy call on Governor Oliver by the Preparatory Survey Team from JICA Tokyo for “The Project for Pohnpei Port Expansion”. Pohnpei State looks forward to the expansion of the Dekehtik port with the help and support of the Government and people of Japan.

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Governor Oliver, Lieutenant Governor Ioanis, and Vice Speaker McGarry Miguel joined the President of the FSM, H.E. Wesley W. Simina, Vice President of the FSM, T.H. Aren B. Palik and Speaker of the 23rd FSM Congress, T.H. Esmond B. Moses at Palikir to witness the historic signing of three agreements related to the U.S. – FSM Compact of Free Association. The three agreements: An Agreement to Amend the Compact, as Amended, a new Fiscal Procedures Agreement, and a new Trust Fund Agreement were signed by U.S. Embassy Kolonia Charge’ d’affaires Alissa Bibb and Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning Chief Negotiator Leo Falcam Jr. in the President’s conference room filled with National, State, and U.S. Embassy personnel.