Statement delivered by Mr. Jeem S. Lippwe, Permanent Represenative
New York, 22 October 2026
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a profound honor for Micronesia to be part of this ninth edition of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund Annual Event. On behalf of the government and people of Micronesia, I express our sincere gratitude to the Government of India and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation for organizing this event. I warmly welcome the distinguished Parliamentary delegation from India joining us today. Today’s event stands as a clear testament to our collective achievements.
Amidst a difficult global landscape marked by debt, economic uncertainty, and escalating climate threats, South–South cooperation is an indispensable lifeline. For small island developing states like Micronesia, traditional development frameworks can sometimes overlook our unique, cross-cutting vulnerabilities. This is why Micronesia deeply appreciates the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. It stands as a beacon of genuine solidarity and partnership, offering tangible, demand-driven support that respects our national ownership.
What makes the India-UN Fund truly transformative is its focus on sustainable, multidimensional development. Rather than treating development as a series of isolated targets, the Fund recognizes that true resilience requires addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges simultaneously. In Micronesia, this holistic approach is actively transforming lives on the ground across multiple critical dimensions:
- With India’s assistance, we are expanding primary healthcare access, quality, and medical technology across our scattered islands, ensuring that universal health coverage becomes a reality for our most vulnerable populations.
- True development cannot exist without climate resilience. Vital initiatives like our Climate Early Warning Systems project directly help highly vulnerable island nations anticipate, prepare for, and recover from severe weather and climate disasters.
- By reinforcing Micronesia’s national gender machinery, the India UN Fund has driven projects since 2020 that advance women’s economic empowerment, leadership development, and access to small-scale infrastructure. This ensures that our sustainable development journey is inclusive and leaves no one behind.
- The assistance towards solarization of our Head of State’s residence and office serves as a powerful symbol of our shared vision. It bridges local institutional capacity with a global commitment to a clean, green, and sustainable future.
These comprehensive efforts prove that effective South-South cooperation must always center on people, dignity, and long-term resilience. The India-UN Fund exemplifies how targeted, flexible partnership can spark deep, multidimensional progress, transforming structural challenges into scalable models of success.
As we look toward the future, Micronesia proudly reaffirms its commitment to these strategic partnerships. Together, in a spirit of equality and shared prosperity, we will continue to advance our collective sustainable development agenda.
Thank you.