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Island leaders meet on Compact Impact issues
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Posted on Mar 16 2012
Tony Babuata, the Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas, convened the Pacific Island Leaders Addressing Compact Impact meeting with Micronesian chief executives yesterday.
Participants include Palau President Johnson Toribiong, Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori, Marshall Islands President Christopher Loeak, Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Guam Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo, CNMI Gov. Benigno Fitial, Chuuk Gov. Johnson Elimo, Kosrae Gov. Lyndon Jackson, Pohnpei Gov. John Ehsa, and Yap Gov. Sebastian Anefal. Hawaii Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz and staff participated in the meeting through videoconference.
The chief executives joined in the first meeting of its kind, as island leaders gathered to develop strategies to address policy issues concerning the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Freely Associated States.
Office of Insular Affairs staff presented on the Interior Department’s efforts to respond to congressional concerns regarding education, reaffirming COFA migrant rights, privileges, and responsibilities, healthcare and the feasibility of constructing dialysis facilities in the Marshalls and FSM, and attempts to develop screening measures for COFA migrants prior to departing their country of origin.
Additional presentations included resource allocation and management of Compact sector grants and Compact Impact funding for affected jurisdictions and the FAS. Since 2004, $105 million in OIA funding has been dedicated for school infrastructure projects and $7 million for the maintenance of health and education infrastructure in the FAS.
“PILACI speaks to our collective effort to respond and develop collaborative solutions to regional concerns. I am pleased that our dialogue was candid and constructive in recognizing the challenges and responsibilities of each stakeholder as we unitedly cultivate a way forward. There was consensus among the chiefs to carry out a cooperative response that is not only thoughtful but mindful of the fiscal constraints,” said Babauta. (DOI)
