Micronesia Sun Bright News from the Deep Pacific
Photo Sources: Kosrae State Public Information, Office of the Governor. Photo Caption: Kosrae State Governor Tulensa Palik (left), and Governor Stevenson A. Joseph (right) discuss the coming July 15-17, Micronesia Islands Forum.
By Christopher Cottrell
June 25, 2026, Federated States of Micronesia__Kosrae Governor Palik met with Pohnpei Governor Joseph this week as part of ongoing efforts to increase inter-state and national coordination on key issues.
According to Kosrae State Public Information, Office of the Governor, the two, “discussed preparations for the upcoming 28th Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF), forecasted El Niño conditions, and other areas of mutual interest. The meeting was cordial and underscored the importance of cooperation among FSM state executives.”
This year, the 28th MIF will be held in Pohnpei from July 15 to July 17, 2026, with energy shocks, cost of living, and El Niño to be discussed, setting the stage for strong Micronesia voices and positions at the coming Pacific Islands Forum in Palau from August 30th-September 4th, 2026.
Members of the MIF include Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, with each its four states also members (Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap), Marshall Islands, Territory of Guam, and Commonwealth of Northern Marianas,
The MIF advocates based on the report from the “Sustainable Development of Small Islands Developing States issued by the United Nations General Assembly – The Barbados Programme of Action.”
“We are committed to local and sub-regional empowerment as a means to global sustainability”
Governor Joseph’s office stated, “The Governors reviewed regional preparations and discussed the forum as a potential opportunity for FSM leadership to coordinate sideline meetings, noting that such engagements require careful planning and mutual agreement on the agenda to effectively address shared national priorities.”
They also raised “critical environmental concerns, specifically focusing on forecasted El Niño conditions and the proactive measures required to mitigate impact on local communities,” and to collaborate on “El Niño responses and planning” with “state-to-state cooperation and exchange.”
Regional security, economic development, and resource management were also discussed.
The statement added, “regular executive dialogue remains essential to advancing the collective interests of the Federated States of Micronesia.”
