FSM Permanent Mission to the United Nations

10/29/2026

81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Sixth Committee
Agenda item 78: Report of the International Law Commission on the work of its seventy-sixth session [Cluster I]

Statement by: Delegation of the Federated States of Micronesia
https://unmission.fm/81st-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly/

New York, 29 October 2026

Chair,

As this is the first time that Micronesia is taking the floor in this Committee this session, we congratulate you and your Bureau on your elections, and we pledge our support to you in your endeavors.

Micronesia aligns itself with the statements delivered under this Cluster by Palau on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (“AOSIS”), and by Fiji on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (‘PSIDS”). We thank Andreas Mavroyiannis for his summary of the work of the International Law Commission (“Commission”) over the past year.

Chair,

For this Cluster, Micronesia will address the topics of “Sea-level rise in relation to international law” and “General principles of law”, as well as the decision of the Commission to include in its current programme of work the topic of “Identification and legal consequences of obligations erga omnes in international law”.

On “Sea-level rise in relation to international law,” Micronesia continues to celebrate the Final Report of the Commission’s Study Group on the matter. It is a landmark achievement, both in substance as well as in terms of the cooperative and responsive relationship between the Commission and this Committee.

While international law on the elements of maritime zones and statehood in connection with sea-level rise has greatly matured, the community of nations has yet to coalesce around a comprehensive and consistent approach to the protection of persons affected by sea-level rise. This is not a criticism, but is instead a call to action to all States. The Final Report has identified major principles that could guide this effort, including, as appropriate, in the development of new global, regional, and subregional legally binding instruments to address the matter, such as human rights or mobility instruments. A permanent State and its stable maritime zones are ultimately meaningless if the persons inhabiting the State cannot, in a practical and physical sense, enjoy the rights and entitlements flowing therefrom.

Micronesia also acknowledges the recent adoption of the United Nations Declaration on Sea Level Rise. This political document is an important outcome, but it must not be the final act by the United Nations on the matter, including on legal elements. Micronesia supports future efforts to progressively develop or codify international law on these elements in a targeted fashion, building on the initial work done by the new Declaration as well as by the Pacific Islands Forum and AOSIS in our various normative declarations over the last several years, and capturing in an accurate way the prevailing, even overwhelming, views of the community of nations.

Chair,

On “General principles of law”, Micronesia acknowledges the adoption on second and final reading of the draft conclusions and associated commentaries on the subject. We wish to make five points in this regard.

First, Micronesia supports the reference to the “community of nations” in draft conclusion two. We find this phrase to be clearer and more inclusive than the phrase “international community”, as “nations” foregrounds the key actors in international law-making, whereas “international” could include a wider constellation of actors who might not be particularly relevant to the development of international law.

Second, the references to “various legal systems of the world” in the draft conclusions, including in draft conclusions four, five, and six, should not be read to refer to “principal” legal systems or imply any sort of hierarchy between the legal systems of all nations. Each nation’s legal system has equivalent value as any other nation’s legal system when determining the existence of a principle “common to the various legal systems of the world”.

Third, Micronesia supports the requirement in draft conclusion five that the comparative analysis must include “different regions of the world”. In this connection, we stress that the term “regions” should not be bound by the concept of the five regions commonly recognized by the United Nations, but should instead be more fluid and inclusive, recognizing that there are large groupings within each of the five UN regions that have their own vibrant legal systems of direct relevance to such a comparative analysis, including the Pacific islands.

Fourth, Micronesia supports the notion, as indicated by draft conclusion seven, that a general principle of law may be formed within the international legal system, based on “an analysis of existing rules in the international legal system . . . to find principles reflected in those rules or underlying them, and having an autonomous status”, including in “international instruments reflecting the principle, resolutions adopted by international organizations or at intergovernmental conferences and statements made by States and international organizations.” The commentary to draft conclusion seven helpfully identifies a number of general principles of law formed within the international legal system, including the duty to cooperate, such as in international environmental law in order “to address the common problem of environmental degradation caused by human activities”; equity; and intergenerational equity. Micronesia supports the approach taken in this draft conclusion seven as well as the illustrative examples in the commentary to the draft conclusion.

Finally, with respect to draft conclusion 12, Micronesia supports the reference in its commentary to the possible emergence of general principles of law within regional and subregional legal systems or between a limited number of States. We further support the commentary’s point that such general principles of law would be limited only in terms of who they would apply to, rather than by their legally binding content. This means that between those States and legal systems bound by these general principles, the effect would be similar to that of general principles of law applicable to the international legal system as a whole. We also stress that the Pacific Islands region, inclusive of the Pacific Islands Forum and PSIDS, is an instructive region or subregion for the development and application of such general principles of law, including those pertaining to the stewardship of marine and terrestrial resources, peaceful uses of the Ocean, and the prominent role played by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and their respective knowledge systems in various governance approaches throughout the Pacific.

Chair,

To conclude, Micronesia welcomes the inclusion of the topic “Identification and legal consequences of obligations erga omnes in international law” in the Commission’s current programme of work. We encourage the Commission, when undertaking its study of this topic, to pay particular attention to overlaps, if any, between these legal consequences and those flowing out of jus cogens obligations as well as obligations erga omnes partes. We also encourage the Commission to scrutinize how obligations erga omnes arise in the context of common problems of global environmental degradation caused by human activities, including those pertaining to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution; and what the legal consequences are for such obligations, including whether such legal consequences are heightened or are triggered more readily because of the degree of harm that is associated with such human activities.

Thank you.

10/26/2026

General Assembly: 26th plenary meeting, 81st session
Debate on the item- Use of the veto - Item 62
Statement by the Micronesia Delegation
https://unmission.fm/use-of-the-veto/

October 26, 2026

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening this important meeting.

Mr. President,

I am pleased to speak on behalf of my country, Micronesia, on this important issue of the Use of the Veto.

Micronesia recognizes the veto as a Charter-based responsibility entrusted to the permanent members of the Security Council. We encourage its exercise with prudence, restraint, and a steadfast commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security.

Micronesia therefore supports efforts to enhance transparency and accountability when the veto is exercised, including opportunities for the General Assembly to discuss the circumstances surrounding its use. Such discussions can strengthen understanding among Member States and contribute to greater confidence in the work of the Council.

For small island developing States such as my own, a rules-based international order and an effective Security Council are essential. The credibility of the Council depends not only on its ability to act, but also on its ability to explain its actions to the wider membership.

While views differ on proposals concerning the future of the veto, we believe that any reform must preserve the effectiveness of the Security Council while strengthening its legitimacy and responsiveness to the concerns of the broader membership.

Micronesia therefore encourages continued dialogue aimed at fostering greater transparency, accountability, and responsible use of all powers entrusted under the Charter, including the veto.

Thank you.

10/24/2026

10/23/2026

PR message to Students from Our Lady of Mercy High School in Pohnpei, Micronesia during Social Studies Week 2026: Celebrating Unity in Diversity

10/23/2026

Pacific SIDS and European Partners Approve New Climate and Economic Resiliency Projects at JC19 in New York
https://unmission.fm/pacific-sids-and-european-partners-approve-new-climate-and-economic-resiliency-projects-at-jc19-in-new-york/

NEW YORK — October 22, 2026 — The 19th meeting of the Joint Committee (JC19) on the Cooperation Programme between the Governments of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) and the Governments of Italy, Austria, Luxembourg, and Spain successfully concluded on October 20, 2026, in New York.

During the high-level ambassadorial meeting, the Joint Committee approved a strategic suite of sustainable development projects submitted by PSIDS governments. Among the approved initiatives is a major project from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) entitled: Support for the FSM Coconut Value Chain Rehabilitation, Biochar assessment and TIC Pilot Replication.

This specific initiative scales up and adapts a successful Asian Development Bank (ADB) Technology Innovation Challenge (TIC) pilot previously conducted in Pingelap, Pohnpei State. The project is spearheaded by the FSM Department of Resources & Development, whose team worked successfully alongside their Italian counterparts to develop and refine the complex technical aspects of the proposal. The initiative aims to revitalize local agricultural value chains while integrating biochar technology to bolster environmental resilience and local economies.

This milestone direct benefit highlights Micronesia's strong, enduring relations with its international development partners. It also underscores the nation's strategic engagement as an active and committed member of the United Nations, successfully leveraging multilateral platforms to secure critical advancements for its citizens.

The Permanent Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United Nations, who represented FSM at the session of the Joint Committee, expressed the deep gratitude of his Government to Italy, Austria, Luxembourg, and Spain. He emphasized that the continued, steadfast support of these donor partners remains vital for the sustainable development and climate resilience of Micronesia and the broader Pacific SIDS region.

10/22/2026

Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council

Statement delivered by H.E. Jeem Lippwe, Permanent Representative

October 22, 2026

https://unmission.fm/question-of-equitable-representation-on-and-increase-in-the-membership-of-the-security-council-and-other-matters-related-to-the-security-council/

Mr. President,

The question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council is not merely a procedural item on our agenda; it is a fundamental test of this organization's relevance in the 21st century.

The world of 1945, when the United Nations was founded, no longer exists. The world of 1965, when the Council was last expanded to include non-permanent members, is also a distant memory.

Today, the Council's structure remains frozen in a bygone era, failing to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. This structural deficit undermines the Council's legitimacy, erodes public trust, and compromises its primary responsibility under the UN Charter: the maintenance of international peace and security.

To restore credibility to this vital organ, we must address the Geographical Underrepresentation and the Expansion of Both Categories. It is an unacceptable historical injustice that entire continents remain structurally marginalized. Africa possesses no permanent seat despite being the focus of much of the Council's agenda. Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside dynamic regions of Asia-Pacific, are severely underrepresented in the permanent category. Micronesia reaffirms its support for the expansion in the permanent category for Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan in a reformed Security Council. We must expand both permanent and non-permanent seats. Expanding non-permanent seats is vital to ensure that the Council benefits from the diverse perspectives of small and developing nations.

Mr. President,

A reformed Council must also adapt to an expanded definition of security. Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is an existential, physical threat to global stability. For the smallest among our UN members, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), rising sea levels and extreme weather are immediate threats to their very territorial integrity and survival. When a nation faces the physical loss of its homeland, climate change becomes a paramount security issue. A Council that lacks adequate, permanent representation for these vulnerable regions cannot effectively address the defining security challenges of our age.

Reform cannot stop at numbers alone. We must also address the working methods of the Security Council, including enhancing transparency, accountability, and engagement with the wider membership. The Council must become more transparent, more responsive, and more accountable to the General Assembly.

The slow pace of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process can no longer serve as an excuse for inaction. We call on all Member States to engage in text-based negotiations with flexibility and a shared sense of urgency. Let us commit to a reformed Security Council that is truly representative, legitimate, and capable of protecting the most vulnerable among us.

Thank you, Mr. President.

10/22/2026

India-UN Development Partnership Fund Annual Event
Statement delivered by Mr. Jeem S. Lippwe,
Permanent Represenative

New York, 22 October 2026

https://unmission.fm/india-un-development-partnership-fund-annual-event/

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a profound honor for Micronesia to be part of this ninth edition of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund Annual Event. On behalf of the government and people of Micronesia, I express our sincere gratitude to the Government of India and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation for organizing this event. I warmly welcome the distinguished Parliamentary delegation from India joining us today. Today’s event stands as a clear testament to our collective achievements.

Amidst a difficult global landscape marked by debt, economic uncertainty, and escalating climate threats, South–South cooperation is an indispensable lifeline. For small island developing states like Micronesia, traditional development frameworks can sometimes overlook our unique, cross-cutting vulnerabilities. This is why Micronesia deeply appreciates the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. It stands as a beacon of genuine solidarity and partnership, offering tangible, demand-driven support that respects our national ownership.

What makes the India-UN Fund truly transformative is its focus on sustainable, multidimensional development. Rather than treating development as a series of isolated targets, the Fund recognizes that true resilience requires addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges simultaneously. In Micronesia, this holistic approach is actively transforming lives on the ground across multiple critical dimensions:

• With India’s assistance, we are expanding primary healthcare access, quality, and medical technology across our scattered islands, ensuring that universal health coverage becomes a reality for our most vulnerable populations.
• True development cannot exist without climate resilience. Vital initiatives like our Climate Early Warning Systems project directly help highly vulnerable island nations anticipate, prepare for, and recover from severe weather and climate disasters.
• By reinforcing Micronesia’s national gender machinery, the India UN Fund has driven projects since 2020 that advance women’s economic empowerment, leadership development, and access to small-scale infrastructure. This ensures that our sustainable development journey is inclusive and leaves no one behind.
• The assistance towards solarization of our Head of State’s residence and office serves as a powerful symbol of our shared vision. It bridges local institutional capacity with a global commitment to a clean, green, and sustainable future.

These comprehensive efforts prove that effective South-South cooperation must always center on people, dignity, and long-term resilience. The India-UN Fund exemplifies how targeted, flexible partnership can spark deep, multidimensional progress, transforming structural challenges into scalable models of success.

As we look toward the future, Micronesia proudly reaffirms its commitment to these strategic partnerships. Together, in a spirit of equality and shared prosperity, we will continue to advance our collective sustainable development agenda.

Thank you.

10/21/2026

19th Meeting of the Joint Committee of Partnership between Italy, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain and the PSIDS

10/16/2026

Special event convened by the
President of the General Assembly ahead of COP31 entitled
"A Planet Fit for the Future: Restoring Trust through Climate Action".

Statement by H.E. Jeem Lippwe, Permanent Representative

16 October 2026

https://unmission.fm/special-event-convened-by-the-president-of-the-general-assembly-ahead-of-cop31-entitled-a-planet-fit-for-the-future-restoring-trust-through-climate-action/

Mr. President,
I thank you for convening this important meeting ahead of COP31.
For my country, COP31 represents a critical opportunity to advance the action necessary to safeguard our people, preserve our homeland, and secure a viable future for generations to come.

Although Micronesia is a steward of a vast ocean area, our islands remain small, low-lying, and highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels are eroding coastlines, contaminating freshwater resources, and threatening livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems. For us, climate change is not a future challenge. It is a present reality with profound implications for our sustainable development, cultural heritage, and national identity.

These circumstances underscore the urgent need to strengthen adaptation, resilience, and preparedness. Effective multi-hazard early warning systems are among the most practical and cost-effective tools for protecting lives and reducing climate-related losses. Such systems must be people-centered, accessible to remote communities, and informed by both scientific expertise and local knowledge.

Mr. President,
Adaptation and resilience require adequate means of implementation. We therefore reiterate the need for scaled-up, predictable, accessible, and grant-based climate finance. Vulnerable countries should not be compelled to assume additional debt in order to respond to a crisis they did little to create.
At the same time, adaptation cannot substitute for mitigation. Preserving the 1.5°C goal requires ambitious and immediate action, including rapid reductions in methane and other short-lived climate pollutants.

As we look toward COP31, we call for renewed solidarity, strengthened support for vulnerable countries, and the full implementation of commitments already made. Let COP31 be remembered as the moment when the international community matched the urgency of the climate crisis with meaningful action.

I thank you.

10/15/2026

https://aosis.org/fellowship/

Please note that you have to work for the government to be considered. The candidate will return back to the government to lend her or his service.

Each year, Fellows from AOSIS member states undertake a year of diplomatic training at the United Nations in New York. Supported by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.