PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On March 11^th, 2021, Nicole Yamase—a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) hailing from the State of Chuuk and the State of Pohnpei—became the first Pacific Islander, and the youngest woman, to travel to the deepest part of the World’s oceans: the Challenger Deep. The Challenger Deep, part of the Marianas Trench, is 35,856 ft (10,929 m) below sea level. Nicole Yamase is one of only approximately two dozen people to ever descend to the deepest part of the ocean and, as the Challenger Deep is located within the territory of the FSM, she is the first FSM citizen to visit this unique environment of her country.

In part as a recognition and celebration of this historic accomplishment, on March 31^st, 2021, at 10:00AM PONT, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the FSM—will join Nicole Yamase to discuss Nicole’s unique story, her hopes for the future of the FSM, why it is critical to protect and manage the Nation’s rich ocean environments, the importance of education, and more.

Citizens, residents, and friends of the FSM are invited to virtually attend the event, entitled “Talk Story with President Panuelo & Nicole Yamase: A Conversation on Navigating the FSM’s Blue Heritage & Future” by either watching it live on YouTube or Facebook.

The live YouTube stream will be available through this channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6FXVSPtPHyCYbW9N5EcnpQ

The Facebook stream will be available here: https://www.facebook.com/BlueProsperityMicronesia

Blue Prosperity Micronesia is a partnership between the Government of the FSM and the Blue Prosperity Coalition, including Micronesia Conservation Trust, the Waitt Institute, National Geographic Pristine Seas, and Oceans5, to protect 30% of the FSM’s waters, including unique places like the deep sea.