Inception Meeting for the Water Supply Project with IOM and UNICEF
2025/6/25
On June 20, 2025, Ambassador Kagomiya attended the inception meeting for the Climate Resilient Community Water Services in the North Pacific, funded by the Government of Japan, and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This project covers the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and aims to contribute to providing reliable water sources to the communities in the outer islands by establishing rainwater harvesting systems and refurbishing groundwater well systems, while also promoting the safe use of water.
Ambassador Kagomiya, in his remarks, stated the vulnerabilities of the outer islands and the importance of this project, citing the drought that the FSM faced in 2024.
Ms. Abigail Kim-Lambert, Assistant Secretary of the FSM Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management, speaking on behalf of the Secretary of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management, conveyed their appreciation to the support provided by the Government and people of Japan on the water shortage in the FSM, and stated that they look forward to the swift implementation of the project.
The inception meeting was attended by Ms. Abigail Kim-Lambert, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management, Ms. Lucille Apis-Overhoff, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management, Ms. Leola Primo, Acting Secretary of the Department of Resources and Development, Mr. Francisco Celestine, Director of the FSM Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Moses Pretrick, Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Mark Kostka, Director of Pohnpei State Department of Resources and Development, Mr. Stevick Joseph, Director of Pohnpei State Disaster Coordination Office, Mr. Nixon Anson, Director of Pohnpei Utilities Corporation, Mr. Salvatore Sortino, Chief of Mission of IOM Micronesia, Mr. Jeffrey Ing, WASH Specialist at UNICEF North Pacific Field Office, along with government officials from various agencies of the FSM and Pohnpei State.
Reference: https://www.micronesia.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00735.html
Ambassador Kagomiya, in his remarks, stated the vulnerabilities of the outer islands and the importance of this project, citing the drought that the FSM faced in 2024.
Ms. Abigail Kim-Lambert, Assistant Secretary of the FSM Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management, speaking on behalf of the Secretary of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management, conveyed their appreciation to the support provided by the Government and people of Japan on the water shortage in the FSM, and stated that they look forward to the swift implementation of the project.
The inception meeting was attended by Ms. Abigail Kim-Lambert, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management, Ms. Lucille Apis-Overhoff, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management, Ms. Leola Primo, Acting Secretary of the Department of Resources and Development, Mr. Francisco Celestine, Director of the FSM Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Moses Pretrick, Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Mark Kostka, Director of Pohnpei State Department of Resources and Development, Mr. Stevick Joseph, Director of Pohnpei State Disaster Coordination Office, Mr. Nixon Anson, Director of Pohnpei Utilities Corporation, Mr. Salvatore Sortino, Chief of Mission of IOM Micronesia, Mr. Jeffrey Ing, WASH Specialist at UNICEF North Pacific Field Office, along with government officials from various agencies of the FSM and Pohnpei State.
Reference: https://www.micronesia.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00735.html
Ambassador Kagomiya delivering his remarks
From left: Mr. Ing (UNICEF), third from the left, Mr. Sortino (IOM), Ms. Kim-Lambert (FSM Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management)
Group Photo
Meeting in Progress