Micronesia and the United Nations
Encyclopedia
The Federated States of Micronesia
joined the United Nations
on September 17, 1991, five years after obtaining its independence from the United States of America. its ambassador to the United Nations is Masao Nakayama
. Although de jure sovereign
, the F.S. Micronesia is bound by a Compact of Free Association
with the United States, which provides it with "substantial financial support".
Micronesia's voting pattern is uncommon, in that it systematically refrains from voting in favour of resolutions opposed by the United States, or against resolutions supported by the United States. Thus, the Heritage Foundation
noted that, in 1997, Micronesia was the only country to have never voted against a resolution supported by the United States. That same year, the Jewish Virtual Library
, citing U.S. Department of State figures, noted that Micronesia was the only country in the world to have matched the United States' voting pattern 100% of the time. That record was still 100% in 2000, but had dropped to 82% in 2003, and 65% in 2007, making Micronesia the 5th most supportive country towards the U.S. (behind Israel
, Palau
, the Marshall Islands
and Kiribati
). In 2008, Micronesia's votes on thirteen key issues identified as important to the United States by the State Department (including "resolutions relating to Cuba, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
, North Korea, Iran, Belarus, Burma and the Human Rights Council") matched the United States' position 90.9% of the time; only Israel and the Marshall Islands' rates were higher (100%). Micronesia has also systematically supported Israel
through its votes in the United Nations
.
Micronesia's priority within the United Nations is to highlight issues relating to climate change
, and its impact on small island states.
Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia or FSM is an independent, sovereign island nation, made up of four states from west to east: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. It comprises approximately 607 islands with c...
joined the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
on September 17, 1991, five years after obtaining its independence from the United States of America. its ambassador to the United Nations is Masao Nakayama
Masao Nakayama
Masao Nakayama was a politician and diplomat of the Federated States of Micronesia .Born in Chuuk to a Japanese father and a Chuukese mother from Onoun, Nakayama was the younger brother of FSM's first president, Tosiwo Nakayama. In 1968, Nakayama was elected a member of the Truk District...
. Although de jure sovereign
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
, the F.S. Micronesia is bound by a Compact of Free Association
Compact of Free Association
The Compact of Free Association defines the relationship that three sovereign states—the Federated States of Micronesia , the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau—have entered into as associated states with the United States.Now sovereign nations, the three freely associated...
with the United States, which provides it with "substantial financial support".
Micronesia's voting pattern is uncommon, in that it systematically refrains from voting in favour of resolutions opposed by the United States, or against resolutions supported by the United States. Thus, the Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
noted that, in 1997, Micronesia was the only country to have never voted against a resolution supported by the United States. That same year, the Jewish Virtual Library
Jewish Virtual Library
Jewish Virtual Library is an online encyclopedia published by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise . Established in 1993, it is a comprehensive website covering Israel, the Jewish people, and Jewish culture.-History:...
, citing U.S. Department of State figures, noted that Micronesia was the only country in the world to have matched the United States' voting pattern 100% of the time. That record was still 100% in 2000, but had dropped to 82% in 2003, and 65% in 2007, making Micronesia the 5th most supportive country towards the U.S. (behind Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
, the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
and Kiribati
Kiribati
Kiribati , officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The permanent population exceeds just over 100,000 , and is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the...
). In 2008, Micronesia's votes on thirteen key issues identified as important to the United States by the State Department (including "resolutions relating to Cuba, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The conflict is wide-ranging, and the term is also used in reference to the earlier phases of the same conflict, between Jewish and Zionist yishuv and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman or...
, North Korea, Iran, Belarus, Burma and the Human Rights Council") matched the United States' position 90.9% of the time; only Israel and the Marshall Islands' rates were higher (100%). Micronesia has also systematically supported Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
through its votes in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
Micronesia's priority within the United Nations is to highlight issues relating to climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
, and its impact on small island states.
External links
- Permanent Mission of the Federated States of Micronesia at the United Nations
- Address by PresidentPresident of the Federated States of MicronesiaThe following is a list of the Presidents of the Federated States of Micronesia:-See also:*High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands...
Emanuel Mori to the 64th session of the United Nations General AssemblyUnited Nations General AssemblyFor two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
, September 25, 2009
See also
- Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsTrust Territory of the Pacific IslandsThe Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was a United Nations trust territory in Micronesia administered by the United States from 1947 to 1986.-History:...
- Micronesia – United States relations
- Israel – Micronesia relationsIsrael – Micronesia relationsIsrael – Micronesia relations are diplomatic and other relations between the State of Israel and the Federated States of Micronesia. Israel was among the first countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with Micronesia....
- United States and the United NationsUnited States and the United NationsThe United States is a charter member of the United Nations and one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council.- U.S. role in establishing the UN :...
- Marshall Islands and the United NationsMarshall Islands and the United NationsThe Marshall Islands joined the United Nations on September 17, 1991. Although the Marshall Islands is sovereign, it is bound by a Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Marshall Islands shows overwhelming support for the United States. On 13 key issues in 2008, the Marshall...
- Palau and the United Nations