Our Scans · micronesia · Weekly Summary

• For smaller island nations like the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, and Tuvalu, the economic impact could be transformative. Oceania Customs Organisations
• Under the Compacts of Free Association, Washington has an obligation to defend the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia [and Palau] and their peoples from attack or threats. FDD
• Even Pacific Island citizens living in the US under its special immigration arrangements with Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia could be sent away if they have an expired passport or been convicted of crimes in the distant past. ABC News
• In 2025, we can expect national elections in Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Tonga and Vanuatu. The Strategist
• 519 grants in 48 states, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands totaling $1.9 billion will be awarded under the Airport Improvement Program. Smart Meetings
• The South Pacific region is noted for its high obesity rates, with Kiribati and Tonga projected to have the highest rates globally by 2035, reaching 67%, followed closely by Samoa at 66%, French Polynesia at 65%, and Micronesia at 64%. LSHTM
• Eligible countries could include Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. TATOLI Agencia Noticiosa de Timor-Leste
• The $6.5 billion assistance packages will provide 20 years of new economic assistance to the freely associated states: the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, and Federated States of Micronesia. U.S. Department of the Interior
• The loss of COFA funding prompted political leadership from Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands to warn of PRC opportunities to gain influence in their countries. Institute for the Study of War
• Power last month travelled to Fiji to open a new USAID mission that will manage agency programs in nine Pacific Island countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau. Times of India
• Alongside tiny Pacific nations like Micronesia and the Marshall Islands were bigger developed nations including Japan, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom, who are all threatened by climate change. phys.org
• Persistent current account deficits are a major risk factor in Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Lao PDR, Nauru, Georgia, the Philippines, and Kazakhstan. Asian Development Bank
• Union which will enable geographical expansion of PDEP initiatives into five additional countries including PNG, Timor Leste, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Marshall Islands. UNCTAD
• Robust growth is projected for Palau (10.3%), Samoa, Tuvalu, and Federated States of Micronesia. World Bank
• The approximately 2,250-kilometer (1,400-mile) undersea cable will connect the state of Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, Tarawa in Kiribati and Nauru to the existing cable landing point located in Pohnpei in Micronesia. Japan Today
• Last week, the United States renewed its Compacts of Free Association with two of the three freely associated states - the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau-while the third, with the Marshall Islands, will likely renew in the coming weeks. Foreign Policy
• The current agreements with the Marshall Islands and Micronesia expire in 2023, while Palau is due to lapse in 2024. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• The United States will sign new strategic pacts with the Pacific island states of Palau and Micronesia early next week and hopes to do so with the Marshall islands in coming weeks. investing.com
• Economic expansion of 4.1% is expected in the Federated States of Micronesia in 2023 before slowing to 0.5% in 2024, while the Marshall Islands economy is projected to return to growth of 1.5% in 2023 before picking up to 2.0% in 2024. RNZ
• The nations with the highest obesity rates tend to cluster in the South Pacific, with Kiribati and Tonga leading the world in projected 2035 obesity rates at 67%, followed by Samoa at 66%, French Polynesia at 65%, and Micronesia at 64%. Time
• If approved by Congress, Micronesia would receive $3.3 billion, the Marshall Islands $2.3 billion, and Palau $890 million over between budget years 2024 and 2044. Winnipeg Free Press

Last updated: 17 June 2025