“Striving towards Self Reliance and Maintaining Sustainability”

Introduction

The Constitution of the FSM – ratified in 1978 at the dawn of the Federation’s young nationhood – states: “We affirm our common wish to live together in peace and harmony, to preserve the heritage of the past, and to protect the promise of the future...to become the proud guardian of our own islands, now and forever.”

This nation of 607 islands, atolls and islets, spread across 2.6M square kilometers of the Western Pacific Ocean is fully committed to implementing Agenda 2030, at the National level and within the four island States of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap. FSM identified 89 SDG targets, with an accompanying 90 SDG indicators, linked to the FSM Strategic Development Plan, 2004-2023 (SDP).

The current implications of the COVID19 crisis must now also be factored into our efforts to implement the SDGs, wherethe Federation has been redirecting resources to proactively implement measures to prevent this virus from entering our shores to protect and maintain sustainable communities;

Implementing the SDGs into the State and National Processes

The SDP is a national strategy that seeks to achieve sustainable economic growth and self-reliance. It prioritizes sustainable development through the sectors of Health, Education, Agriculture, Fisheries, Private Sector Development, Transportation, Communication and the cross-cutting sector of Energy, many having their own policies that align to the SDP and SDGs. In addition:

• In July 2016, the FSM established the SDG Working Group (WG). This internal coordination mechanism draws from Departments and associated agencies within the government soliciting input from civil society actors and the chambers of commerce. A critical component of the SDG WG is the establishment of State Focal Points (SFPs) for effective implementation and reporting; and,

Main Messages for the Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals in the FSM May 1, 2020

• FSM has prioritized the production and use of data to monitor SDGs and inform national policies and programming, through the upcoming 2020 Census of Population & Housing, the Household income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), including a multi-dimensional Poverty Index, National Social Indicators Survey, a draft Strategy for Development of Statistics (SDS) 2020-2024, a national SDG dashboard developed based on assessment of the SDGs in 2017, and a comprehensive performance audit of the implementation of the SDGs.

Challenges and Potential Areas of Support

Although the UN has agreed in principle to the request to set up a Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Micronesia, the accelerated establishment of this entity is a critical step needed for the on-theground support and expertise to achieve our national sustainable development goals and accelerate the implementation of the SDGs, including strategic support to human rights frameworks, such as CEDAW, CRC, CRPD and the ICPD25 Nairobi commitments;
• Though negotiations are forthcoming, the termination of the funding provisions (Title II of US Public Law 108-188) of the Amended Compact of Free Association Treaty with the United States, which provides major support to key sectors in supporting public infrastructure and socioeconomic prerogatives, looms. Coupled with limited human resource capacity in priority sectors such as education and health, delivery of necessary services to FSM citizens will be impacted;
• Our livelihood as a Big Ocean State is threatened by the existential threat of climate change, overfishing and vulnerability to natural disasters and sudden shocks like COVID-19. More support for developing social protection and preparedness and recovery will be needed, particularly in the areas of health, sanitation, waste management, education, gender, and critical water and food security.
• Data related complexities remain a significant challenge in defining targets for the prioritized indicators for monitoring SDGs in the FSM.

Conclusion

The year 2020 has been coined the Decade of Action because we have only 10 years to accelerate our efforts to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. To stand up and be counted among the nations of the world, a country must have something of value. The FSM has value in its proud history, its vibrant cultures, its progressive values, its vaunted ecosystems, and a heritage of living in peace and harmony with our environment. FSM values its people as a fundamental resource to progress the 2030 Agenda, and will therefore continue to pursue gender equality, universal access to health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights of all citizens, and ensuring safe and dignified lives, particularly women, girls and adolescents.