Honourable Mr Esmond B. Moses, Vice Speaker, Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Honourable Senators of the Congress of FSM

His Excellency Mr Sobashima Hidenobu, the Ambassador of Japan to FSM

Ms Jessica Reyes, Chief Clerk, Congress of FSM

Mr Lam Dang, Legislative Counsel, Congress of FSM

Colleagues of the Congress Secretariat

Ladies and gentlemen,

Kasalehlie, Good afternoon,

It is my honour and privilege to join this virtual hand over ceremony of ICT equipment to the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.

As the Pacific encountered the COVID-19 pandemic last year, most Pacific countries, including FSM, had to close their borders to protect their citizens from the virus. Most of us had to work under COVID safe protocols, such as following social distancing and practising greater hygiene routines. But Congress had to continue its operations to fulfil its constitutional mandate of being part of essential state services. But business continuity was not easy during the travel restrictions, as two Congres Senators were stranded in Guam while others were in their home states.

As many organisations were grappling with adapting to the Pandemic related restrictions, Congress led the way for the Pacific by quickly deploying ICT solutions to convene its sessions virtually. We are indeed grateful that Congress trusted UNDP to provide support during this difficult time. In response to Congress's request, we provided technical support in deploying necessary solutions and helped buy software licenses and hardware. As a result, Congress became the first Pacific parliament, and amongst the very few globally, to move its operations online. This enabled Congress to approve stimulus packages, continue committee meetings, and oversee government actions as per citizens' needs. Through our webinar series, many Pacific and global parliaments have benefitted from Congress's experience.

To further bolster the support and improve the experience of online sessions, we have supported Congress in procuring hardware, a first instalment of which is being handed over today. We are delighted to see that since last year, Congress has organised over seven virtual sessions. In another first, following the recent elections, Congress opened its new session virtually as well.

The list of achievements continues with yet another milestone. Under the leadership of its Speaker, the Honourable Wesley W. Simina, Congress developed and adopted in January 2020 a sexual harassment policy. Hence, the FSM Congress is the first Pacific parliament to enact such a policy for its members and staff. It's also amongst the very few parliaments globally to have a policy on sexual harassment in the workplace. We were again grateful that we contributed to this critical initiative as well.

Background of our Support

UNDP has provided support to Congress for several years through different programmes. The above mentioned and other recent support that we have provided to Congress is a part of the Japanese Government supported "Strengthening Legislatures' Capacity in Pacific Island Countries' (SLIP) Project."

Our support is focused on key areas such as MPs and staff professional development, the improvement of Committees' legislative and oversight work, and support to parliamentary outreach and citizen engagement roles. We are also supporting the institutional development of parliaments by helping them update their rules of procedures, develop strategic plans, policies and standard operating procedures. Within Congress, we have supported the review of its rules of procedures - and hope to continue on that support.

We are grateful to the Government of Japan for their generous support in FSM and other Pacific countries, helping us and our partner parliaments and governments achieve many milestones on institutional development, pandemic response and recovery, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

I wish to reiterate that we stand ready to provide further support to enable Congress to continue its operation during the Pandemic and other emergencies. Please don't hesitate to advise your Secretariat team to reach out to us with requests for further support that we can provide within our mandate.

Ladies and gentlemen

I wish to thank the Congress leadership for their vision and secretariat for their hard work in deploying the ICT solutions. The Honourable Speaker, Wesley W. Simina, and the Honourable Vice Speaker, Mr Esmond B. Moses, have provided outstanding vision and leadership in overcoming challenges during the Pandemic. Besides, Chief Clerks, the late Ms Liwiana Ramon, and Ms Jessica Reyes, and Legislative Counsel Mr Lam Dang, Mr Suda Rayel, and Mr Dayston Roby have worked tirelessly identifying, procuring and deploying the ICT solutions.

Honourable Vice-Speaker and Senators

I am sure that these ICT additions will help you further improve online sessions and fulfil your constitutional mandate.

We thank you all for your trust in UNDP, and we look forward to working together and achieving many more milestones.

Thank you and good afternoon.