Office of the President, Federated States of Micronesia

President Simina Receives Letter of Credence from Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei – May 26, 2026 – His Excellency Wesley W. Simina officially received the Letter of Credence from Ambassador Emma Hickey of Ireland during a formal Presentation of Credentials ceremony held in Palikir.

The presentation formally accredits Ambassador Hickey as the representative of the Republic of Ireland to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and reflects the continued diplomatic relations between the two nations. The FSM and Ireland established diplomatic relations on October 27, 2004, and have since continued engagement through areas of shared interest and cooperation in regional and international forums.

During the ceremony, President Simina welcomed Ambassador Hickey and reaffirmed the FSM Government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and friendly relations with Ireland. Ambassador Hickey conveyed greetings on behalf of the Government of Ireland and expressed her commitment to further enhancing bilateral engagement between the two countries.

The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia looks forward to continued cooperation and partnership with Ireland during Ambassador Hickey’s tenure.

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President Simina and Vice President Palik Welcome Close Up Students to Palikir

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei – His Excellency Wesley W. Simina, joined by the Honorable Aren B. Palik, welcomed students participating in the Close-Up Program from across the Federated States of Micronesia during their visit to the nation’s Capital.

As part of the program’s annual activities, the students visited the Office of the President to learn about the role and functions of the national government, leadership, and civic engagement. During the visit, President Simina encouraged the students to continue striving toward their goals to become future leaders of the nation, emphasizing the important role young people play in shaping the future of the Federated States of Micronesia.

President Simina also wished the students a meaningful and enjoyable stay in Pohnpei and extended his best wishes for success in their educational pursuits.

The Office of the President continues to welcome opportunities to engage with students and youth programs that promote learning, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the functions of government throughout the Federated States of Micronesia.

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President Simina Administers Oaths of Office to Newly Confirmed Officials

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei – May 21, 2026 – His Excellency Wesley W. Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), administered the Oaths of Office to newly confirmed officials following their confirmation during the current session of the FSM Congress.

The officials sworn into office were:
• Mr. Florian J. Yatilman, Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management (DECEM);
• Mr. Johnny Silbanuz, Consul General for the FSM Consulate Office in Guam; and
• Mr. Samson Pretrick, Member of FSM Insurance Board

Joining the ceremony were the Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, key staff from the respective departments and offices, as well as family members and friends of the newly sworn officials.

President Simina congratulated the newly sworn officials and expressed confidence in their ability to carry out their respective responsibilities in service to the nation and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia. He also reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to strengthening public institutions, advancing effective governance, and promoting the interests of the FSM both at home and abroad.

President Simina further extended his appreciation to the FSM Congress for its continued partnership and timely consideration of the nominations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches in advancing the nation’s priorities and maintaining effective government operations.

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Ricky Cantero Sworn in as Secretary of the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei – May 19, 2026 – His Excellency Wesley W. Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), administered the Oath of Office to newly confirmed Secretary of the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs, Ricky Cantero.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Mr. Cantero served as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, where he played an active role in advancing the FSM’s diplomatic priorities and strengthening engagement with regional and international partners. Secretary Cantero began his career with the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2000 as a Foreign Service Officer. Over the years, he served in several senior roles within the Department, including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Pacific Affairs and Assistant Secretary for American and European Affairs, before being appointed Deputy Secretary in 2019. Throughout his years of service within the Department, he contributed to ongoing efforts to promote the Nation’s foreign policy interests, regional cooperation, and international partnerships. Secretary Cantero also served on numerous occasions as Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs and assumed the role in an acting capacity following the passing of the late Honorable Lorin S. Robert in November 2025.

President Simina, on behalf of the Simina-Palik Administration, extended his congratulations to Secretary Cantero and expressed confidence in his leadership and continued service to the nation in this important capacity.

In his remarks following the oath-taking ceremony, Secretary Cantero thanked the Simina-Palik Administration for the trust and confidence placed in him through his nomination. He reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of the FSM and continuing efforts to strengthen and expand the nation’s relationships with its international and regional partners.

The Simina-Palik Administration also expressed its appreciation to the 24th FSM Congress for its continued cooperation and support throughout the confirmation process.

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President Simina Receives Committee to Wait Following Opening of 4th Regular Session

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei – May 12, 2026 – Following the opening of the 4th Regular Session of the 24th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), His Excellency Wesley W. Simina received the Committee to Wait at the Office of the President to discuss shared national priorities, legislative matters, and the ongoing emergency response efforts following Typhoon Sinlaku.

Joining President Simina during the meeting were the Honorable Vice President, Aren B. Palik, and members of the Cabinet.

The Committee to Wait was chaired by Senator Fabian Nimea and included Senator Andrew Yatilman, Senator Yoslyn G. Sigrah, and Senator Merlynn Abello-Alfonso.

Discussions focused on coordination between the Executive and Legislative branches in addressing immediate recovery and response efforts related to Typhoon Sinlaku, including support for affected communities, ensuring continuity of essential government services, and extending the Presidential Declaration of Emergency to support ongoing response and recovery operations.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss priority measures submitted for consideration during the current session of Congress. These included the proposed extension of the Emergency Declaration; legislation related to the sovereign guarantee for FSM Petroleum Corporation (FSMPC); supplemental funding measures and the repurposing or reprogramming of previously appropriated funds; and a bill to establish a revolving fund for the Convention Center. Additional matters discussed included pending presidential nominations to national boards and commissions, the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) Treaty, pending grant assistance matters, and priority legislation such as the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Cybersecurity legislation.

The Simina-Palik Administration expressed appreciation to the 24th FSM Congress for its continued cooperation and partnership and reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively to advance national priorities, strengthen coordinated disaster response efforts, uphold effective governance, and serve the best interests of the people of the Federated States of Micronesia.

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His Excellency Wesley W. Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and the Honorable Vice President, Aren B. Palik, were pleased to welcome first and second graders from Awak Elementary School during a visit to the Office of the President yesterday. The Office of the President extends its appreciation to the teachers and parents for making the visit and looks forward to another opportunity to host our young learners again soon.

Restored Non-Domiciled CDL Access for FAS Citizens in the United States

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PALIKIR, Pohnpei, May 14, 2026 -- The Office of the President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) welcomes a significant development regarding access to non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) for FSM citizens residing in the United States.

In February 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a rule limiting access to non-domiciled CDLs to certain visa holders and noting that FAS citizen eligibility would be addressed through an exemption process. This had an effect of restricting access to CDLs and CLPs by FSM citizens in the United States.

Restoring access has been a key priority of President Simina and his Administration. The President recently held bilateral meetings on the topic with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, as well as correspondence with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.

Today, the FMCSA has issued a national exemption allowing FSM and other FAS citizens who are lawfully present in the United States to obtain non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs without the need for a visa. This action establishes a pathway for FAS citizen access to non-domiciled CDLs in states that issue non-domiciled CDLs and comply with FMCSA regulations.

The FSM Government recognizes and appreciates the collaborative efforts that led to this outcome. The FSM Embassy in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Interior, all played central roles in advancing this matter. Their sustained engagement, together with support from key members of the U.S. Congress, ensured that the rights of FSM citizens under the Compact of Free Association were appropriately recognized and addressed.

The exemption, effective May 14, 2026, will remain in place through May 14, 2031, and allows eligible FSM citizens to obtain and renew non-domiciled CDLs, subject to annual renewal requirements. To obtain the non-domiciled CDL, applicants must present a valid, unexpired FSM passport and Form I‑94 documentation.

Further information about this exemption will be published in a fact sheet by the FSM Embassy.

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🇫🇲 On FSM Constitution Day, we honor the vision, unity, and shared purpose that shaped our nation and continue to guide the Federated States of Micronesia today.

Read President Wesley W. Simina’s full 2026 Constitution Day Message at the link below.

Happy FSM Constitution Day!

https://gov.fm/the-presidents-message-2026-fsm-constitution-day/

Across our islands, mothers carry traditions, hold families together through difficult times, and teach us what strength looks like in everyday life.

On this Mother’s Day, the Office of the President honors the women whose care shapes not only our homes, but our nation.

May today bring every mother a moment of rest, laughter, and the reminder that their love is seen, remembered, and deeply valued throughout our islands.

KAMORALE & Happy Mother’s Day!

Vice President Palik Receives Delegation from the Kingdom of Morocco

PALIKIR, Pohnpei – April 24, 2026 – The Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), received a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Morocco as part of ongoing efforts to advance bilateral cooperation under the roadmap agreement concluded in New York in September 2025. The visit reflects a shared commitment to deepen engagement and expand collaboration across key development sectors.

The delegation was led by Ms. Amal Zaidi, Head of the Bilateral Technical Cooperation Department (DCT-B) at the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), accompanied by senior officials and technical experts. Discussions focused on priority areas of mutual interest, including fisheries, agriculture, renewable energy, vocational training, and investment, with an emphasis on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technical cooperation.

Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening institutional capacity, promoting sustainable resource management, enhancing food and energy security, and advancing workforce development. Opportunities for collaboration in skills development, technical training, and investment facilitation were also explored, alongside mechanisms to encourage private sector engagement and long-term economic partnerships.

The visit forms part of ongoing dialogue and engagement between the two countries. Follow-up technical consultations and exchanges are expected to further refine priority areas and identify concrete avenues for cooperation. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing mutually beneficial partnerships through continued collaboration, including study visits, expert missions, and knowledge exchange initiatives.

Vice President Palik expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the FSM’s commitment to strengthening relations with the Kingdom of Morocco in pursuit of shared development priorities and continued cooperation.

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