Australia–Federated States of Micronesia relations

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Australia–Federated States of Micronesia relations
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Australia–Federated States of Micronesia relations are the bilateral relations between Australia and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Australia was the first country to start diplomatic relations with FSM in 1987 and is one of the four countries that have resident ambassadors to Micronesia. The two countries are members of the Pacific Islands Forum. [1]

Contents

Between 2006 and 2013, Australia was the third largest donor of aid to the Federated States of Micronesia, behind Japan and the United States.[ citation needed ]

History

The rise of copra in Micronesia during the 1870s attracted foreign traders, including those from Australia. Andrew Farrell, an Australian trader, wrote in his journal:

In return for copra, islanders first demanded tobacco, and it had to be the best. Scores of other articles were in demand, like cloths, axes and knives, hand sowing machines, scissors, needles and thread, mirrors and cones, hooks and line, pots and pans, mouth organs, rice, hard biscuits, beads, perfume and, in the Gilberts and Marshalls, rifles, flintlock muskets, revolvers, powder and shot.

Andrew Farrell, [2]

Australia became one of the first countries in the Oceanian region to gain independence in 1901, while several islands within the Micronesian archipelagos collectively became an independent nation known as the Federated States of Micronesia in 1986.

High level visits

In 1988, former President of FSM, John Haglelgam paid an official visit to Canberra. [3]

Maritime security

Australia assists FSM in maritime security under its 'Pacific Patrol Boat Program'. As part of the program, Australia has been providing Pacific class patrol vessels to FSM to be used in ensuring maritime surveillance, law enforcement, emergency relief operations, apprehending and preventing sea-borne security threats and delivering needed government services to outlying remote islands in the federation. [4] [5]

At a handover ceremony in Henderson, Western Australia in March 2022, FSM received the first of two Guardian-class Patrol Boats from Australia. [6]

Cooperation

The Federated States of Micronesia has supported Australia at various international and regional forums, as shown by the FSM government's support for the Canberra-led peace effort in the Solomon Islands, known as RAMSI. [7]

The Australian government launched the $320 million Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development program in 2012, to improve the political, economic and social opportunities of Pacific women, including in FS Micronesia. [8]

In 2012, then President Joseph Urusemal appreciated Australian assistance to FSM and said, "Australia has been very helpful during these past many years." In 2013, a member of the Micronesian Congress visited Australia to discuss the bilateral cooperation in sports for the youth development in FSM. [9]

Between 2012 and 2016, the Australian government claims to have educated 8,500 school children in FS Micronesia (and the Marshall Islands) about climate change mitigation and disaster risk management. [8] Since 2012, they have also assisted 26 Micronesians in gaining tertiary qualifications. [8]

In 2019-20, the Australian government provided an estimated $8.4 million in total Official Development Assistance (ODA) to FS Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands. [8]

on 27 May 2021, Australian Ambassador to FSM Jo Cowley met President David W. Panuelo, who stated "Australia has shown... that it is a true friend of the FSM... in ways both measurable and immeasurable." [7]

Australia, along with Japan and the United States, pledged a new undersea internet cable for Nauru, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia during December 2021. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federated States of Micronesia</span> Country in Oceania

The Federated States of Micronesia, or simply Micronesia, is an island country in Micronesia, a subregion of Oceania. The federation consists of four states—from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae—that are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise around 607 islands that cover a longitudinal distance of almost 2,700 km (1,700 mi) just north of the equator. They lie northeast of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, south of Guam and the Marianas, west of Nauru and the Marshall Islands, east of Palau and the Philippines, about 2,900 km (1,800 mi) north of eastern Australia, 3,400 km (2,100 mi) southeast of Japan, and some 4,000 km (2,485 mi) southwest of the main islands of the Hawaiian Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of the Federated States of Micronesia</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Papua New Guinea</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Islands Forum</span> Intergovernmental organization of island nations in the Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation among countries and territories of Oceania, including formation of a trade bloc and regional peacekeeping operations. It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum (SPF), and changed its name in 1999 to "Pacific Islands Forum", so as to be more inclusive of the Forum's Oceania-spanning membership of both north and south Pacific island countries, including Australia. It is a United Nations General Assembly observer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compact of Free Association</span> US-Micronesia-Marshall Islands-Palau agreements

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">FSM National Police</span> Law enforcement agency

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federated States of Micronesia–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Federated States of Micronesia relations</span> Bilateral relations

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–Federated States of Micronesia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Diplomatic relations between China and the Federated States of Micronesia were established on September 11, 1989. The Chinese government first established an embassy in the capital of Palikir in 1990, and dispatched its first ambassador in 1991. Initially, the Micronesian ambassador to Tokyo, Japan also served as Micronesia's ambassador to China, before Micronesia established an embassy in Beijing in 2007. President John Haglelgam was the first senior government agent from Micronesia to visit China, doing so in 1990. The current Chinese ambassador to Micronesia is Zhang Weidong, while the Micronesian ambassador to Beijing is Akillino H. Susaia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald Zackios</span> Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United States

Gerald M. Zackios is a Marshallese politician and diplomat. He was a member of the Legislature of the Marshall Islands (Nitijeļā) from 2000 until 2012. During this period he was Minister in Assistance to the President of Marshall Islands from 2000 until 2001 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2001 until 2007. He serves as the Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United States since June 2016.

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RMIS <i>Lomor</i>

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References

  1. "The Pacific Islands Forum was set to split, but that's now been paused after 'substantive reforms' were agreed". ABC News. 12 February 2022.
  2. "History of Micronesia Part I: Early Encounters". The Micronesian Seminar. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  3. "SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER PARLIAMENTARY DINNER GIVEN IN HONOUR OF PRESIDEN HAGLEIGAM OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA CANBERRA". PM Transcripts. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  4. "Australia, FSM discuss Pacific patrol boat program". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  5. Bergin, Anthony. "Don't ignore Micronesia" (PDF). Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2 February 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. "Guardian class patrol boat delivered to Micronesia - Australian Defence Magazine".
  7. 1 2 "Australia needs to 'step-up' in Micronesia". 3 September 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Stepping-up in the Federated States of Micronesia". Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
  9. "Strengthening ties between Federated States of Micronesia and Australia". Radio Australia. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  10. "Australia, US and Japan to fund undersea internet cable in Pacific to counter rising Chinese influence". ABC News. 12 December 2021 via www.abc.net.au.

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