South Park, Kolonia, Pohnpei: August 21, 2026 — The 28th Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF) officially concluded on August 21, 2026, following two days of high-level presentations and bilateral discussions among Micronesian leaders at the South Park Hotel. The summit culminated in the signing of a Joint Communiqué and 10 key resolutions aimed at addressing the region’s shared priorities.
Host leader the Honorable Stevenson A. Joseph, Governor of Pohnpei State and Chairman of the 28th MIF, closed the proceedings by calling on member nations to transition the agreement from policy to immediate, practical implementation.
“Signing these documents is only the beginning,” Governor Joseph stated during his closing remarks. “Our true responsibility as leaders is to unite, put our heads together, and figure out how we will do it.”
Elevating Regional Youth
Among the 10 adopted resolutions, Chairman Joseph highlighted the elevated status of the region’s youth within the Forum’s structure. Building on momentum from the previous year, the 28th MIF formally integrated youth representatives directly into the decision-making framework.
Addressing the youth delegates directly, Governor Joseph emphasized their active role in governance: “We hear you. You are not merely our future leaders; you are leaders today. It is incumbent upon us to listen, work alongside you, and prepare a foundation so that when you eventually step into these roles, the path ahead is clearer and stronger.”
Strengthening Regional Infrastructure and Governance
To ensure accountability and track the progress of the newly approved initiatives, Governor Joseph outlined his primary objective as Chairman: establishing a dedicated, full-time Secretariat for the Forum.
Key governance outcomes from the 28th MIF include:
Operational Expansion: Moving toward hiring a Secretary General to oversee implementation, monitoring, and administrative tracking across all member jurisdictions.
Financial Support: Expressing gratitude for a $200,000 contribution from the FSM National Government to sustain MIF operations, while encouraging member states and U.S. territory members across the MIF family to provide proportional financial backing.
Transition of Leadership: Expressing gratitude to outgoing Chair, President Hilda Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, for her stewardship over the past term.
Recognizing that each participating government faces distinct local challenges, Chairman Joseph praised the Forum as a vital space to share struggles and construct common strategies rooted in shared Pacific values.
The ceremony concluded with Governor Joseph expressing his appreciation to all visiting delegations, secretariats, and support staff for their contributions to a successful summit.
For more information regarding the outcomes and resolutions of the 28th Micronesian Islands Forum, please contact the Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State Government.