Federated States of Micronesia Ambassador to Fiji, H.E. Gerson Alik Jackson was briefed at the Suva headquarters of the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC) of the Secretariat of the Pacific community (SPC) on Friday 9th March.
This visit was a follow-up to a meeting with the SOPAC Director, Dr Russell Howorth and the Manager of the SPC North Pacific Regional Office, Mr Amena Yauvoli. The senior technical advisers at the SPC/SOPAC Division office who are working with the FSM briefed the Ambassador on five important areas of SPC/SOPAC Division work currently underway for the FSM.
These included determination of FSM’s maritime boundaries, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and related extended continental shelf claim; refurbishing of the emergency operation centres in the four states and the commencement of the construction of the first national emergency operation centre in Palikir together with the purchase of new emergency communications equipment and related training; the work with the FSM Petro Corp to reduce the risk of storm damage at the Yap and Chuuk oil storage depots, and an integrated ridge to reef water resources management project focusing on Nett Municipality in Pohnpei.
Ambassador Jackson expressed his appreciation for the briefing on the work underway for the FSM, and emphasized the important contribution of the SPC/SOPAC Division in supporting these areas of development in the FSM.
SPC SOPAC Division has also responded positively to a request from the Ambassador for assistance with the setting up of a website for the FSM Embassy in Suva.
Caption: Ambassador Jackson together with the SPC/SOPAC Division Director Dr Russell Howorth and Senior Technical Advisers.
