The European Union (EU) and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have officially launched the “Strengthening Water and Sanitation Governance in FSM” (FSM WASH) project in Palikir, marking a new milestone in their long-standing partnership. The event brought together key government officials, EU representatives, and development partners to celebrate FSM’s leadership in advancing sustainable water governance amid growing climate and development challenges.
With an initial EUR 3 million (USD 3.5 million) investment, the project will focus on establishing a dedicated Water Unit within FSM’s Department of Resources and Development, formulating the nation’s first comprehensive water policy and regulatory framework, and building institutional capacity through training and strategic planning. These measures aim to enhance water security, promote resilience, and strengthen coordination between national and state-level institutions.
EU Ambassador Barbara Plinkert reaffirmed the Union’s strong commitment to FSM, emphasizing that “Water is life,” as it underpins health, education, food security, and economic growth. She highlighted the EU’s pride in supporting FSM’s goals of improving water governance and building climate resilience across the islands.
Aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which connects policy reform with sustainable infrastructure, the FSM WASH project represents a cornerstone investment in the Pacific region. Beyond this initial funding, the EU has pledged an additional EUR 6 million for future water and sanitation infrastructure in FSM, reinforcing its position as the region’s largest donor to WASH initiatives.
The EU also commended FSM’s strong ownership of the project and expressed openness to future collaborations with organizations such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. Collectively, these actions are set to create a full cycle of support—from policy reform to infrastructure implementation—designed to strengthen resilience, improve livelihoods, and advance sustainable development throughout Micronesia.
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