Interior Announces $61 Million in Compact Funding for Fiscal Year 2022 Government Operations in the Federated States of Micronesia

WASHINGTON – The United States (U.S.) Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs today announced that $61,294,949 in Compact of Free Association (Compact) funding for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) was approved by the bilateral Joint Economic Management Committee (JEMCO) earlier this year. Comprised of U.S. and FSM officials, the JEMCO annual meeting, as called for under U.S. Public Law 108-188, was held virtually this year.

“We are pleased to report that FY2022 funding provided for under the Compact has been made available to Government of the Federated States of Micronesia,” said JEMCO Chairman and OIA Director Nikolao Pula. “The United States and the FSM have long been partners under the Compact bringing mutual benefit to both the Micronesian and the American people and Interior is proud to carry out this important responsibility.”

Funding amounts determined by the JEMCO for FY 2022 are as follows:

JEMCO also approved an amount not lower than $17,626,852 in addition to the amount approved above for infrastructure to remain available for infrastructure projects, with design, engineering, and construction currently approved for the following projects:

1. Yap - Outer Island Early Childhood Education Centers (six)
2. Yap - Colonia Wellness Center Phase 2
3. Chuuk – Akoyikoyi School Classrooms
4. Chuuk – Chuuk High School Multi-Purpose Court
5. Chuuk – Roofing Replacement and Fencing Multiple Schools
6. Chuuk –New Facilities for Piisenmwar and Ta Schools
7. Chuuk – Chuuk High School Renovation
8. Chuuk – Satawan Community Health Center

The JEMCO is comprised of five members: Chairman Nikolao Pula (U.S. Department of the Interior); Vice Chairman Lorin Robert (FSM Office of the President); Leo Falcam, Jr. (FSM Office of the President); Dr. Richard Brostrom (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); and Taylor Ruggles (U.S. State Department).

As required under the Compact of Free Association, U.S. Public Law 108-188, the JEMCO serves to promote the effective use of funding under the Compact agreement. They meet annually to review Compact budgetary spending and determine final funding allocations for each fiscal year. Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs administers these funds on behalf of the U.S. government.

Certain financial provisions of the current Compact of Free Association agreement between the FSM and the United States are set to expire in 2023. Bilateral discussions that began in the last administration are continuing in the Biden-Harris administration.

The Assistant Secretary of Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the insular areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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