Strengthening National Coordination of Efforts to Develop IWRM Policy and Planning in the Federated States of Micronesia

7th June 2012: The Federated States of Micronesia’s National Department of Resources and Development convened the nation's First National Water Task Force Meeting from  23rd-24th May 2012. This meeting brought together water and sanitation related stakeholders from across the vast Micronesian region to launch efforts aimed at developing a National Water and Sanitation Policy and IWRM Investment Plan for the FSM’s four Island States and outer atoll communities that often face uncertainty in freshwater availability and inadequate sanitation. The GEF Pacific IWRM Project Manager for the FSM, Mr. Patterson Shed noted this was an important step in strengthening much needed policy and planning for water and sanitation, particularly in light of the climate variability and change concerns to be addressed by the Task Force. He noted further that an important output of this first meeting was agreement amongst National and State Governments on the way forward to complete: (1) a National Water, Sanitation and Climate Outlook report; (2) a National Water and Sanitation Policy; and (3) a National IWRM Investment Plan. More in the Kava Bowl.