It has been a productive three plus years and I thank FSM National Government and Pohnpei State Government for their strong support in establishing a fully functioning UN Multi-Country Office Micronesia covering Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Kiribati.

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Thank you, RC Jaap Van Hierden, for all the work you did as first UN RC to the five Micronesian nations of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Marshall Islands, Nauru, and Kiribati!

Learn more about our work by visiting our website: micronesia.un.org/en

Before the holidays start in earnest, I had the pleasure to meet with H.E. Wesley W. Simina, President of FSM, to reflect on our achievements in establishing a fully functioning UN MCO Micronesia. It was our last meeting as I will be reassigned to Mongolia effective 1 Jan 2025.

Just completed our second Joint Steering Committee meeting for 2024 between the UN and the Government of Kiribati. Noted achievements and areas for follow-up.

“I am proud to say that within just three years, we successfully established a fully operational UN Multi-Country Office, with a regional coordination hub based in Pohnpei, FSM, and colleagues deployed in the other four Micronesian countries.”

Witnessed the impact of climate change with communities facing coastal erosion, relocation and saltwater intrusion damaging taro patches and breadfruit trees on Abaiang Island in Kiribati.

I have had the pleasure to engage with UN colleagues in Kiribati on a range of topics. In doing so, I very much appreciated their hard work and their commitment in building a better future for i-Kiribati that leaves no one behind.

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us celebrate the diversity of women’s lived experiences and emphasize the importance of gender-based violence (GBV) prevention strategies that are inclusive and considerate of this diversity.

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In wrapping up my mission to Marshall Islands, I met with H.E. David Paul, Minister of Finance & Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs. I also met Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of Finance. I duly noted Government’s appreciation of UN’s enhanced engagement in Marshall Islands since 2021.

Our UN team in Pohnpei/FSM discussed its engagement in the North Pacific with H.E. Barbara Plinkert, EU Ambassador for the Pacific, and her team. We learned more about EU’s work in the Pacific & shared our appreciation accordingly. We noted our partnership in working towards a better future for all.

Held a townhall meeting with UN colleagues in Majuro. Appreciated learning about their work & personal experiences working for different UN Organisations. Noted an overall commitment towards building a better future that leaves no one behind, including men, women and children on most remote islands.

I discussed the Nuclear Legacy of the Marshall Islands with Ms. Ariana Tibon-Kilma, Commissioner of the National Nuclear Commission, including support provided by OHCHR.

Listen to her heartbreaking speech at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council last month at: youtu.be/K87MkXo9POs?fe….

There is #NoExcuse for #GBV

Let's join forces to end the scourge of violence against women & girls everywhere.

#16DaysOfActivism
#EndaGenderBasedViolence

Just completed a Donor Coordination Meeting in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Among the takeaways was an agreement on the importance of coordination in enabling that our mutual engagements are aligned, complementary and, where possible, joined up. We also noted the benefits of on-the-job training.

Launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence in Pohnpei, FSM yesterday.
#BreakTheSilence
#EndTheViolence
#16DaysOfActivism2024

We discussed UN’s engagement in Marshall Islands at our biannual Joint Steering Committee meeting that I co-chaired with RMI Government Deputy Chief Secretary. One of the takeaways was our shared ambition of joining up in pursuit of transformational change that builds a better future for all.

Visited Jabor at Jaluit Atoll today to see its new digital hub and meet with the Smart Islands TF. Through this Joint SDG Fund financed digital transformation programme, the community of Jaluit Atoll will be connected to the global marketplace & provided with digital skills and equipment to do so.