Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, has expressed his deepest condolences at the passing of His Excellency Joseph J. Urusemal, the sixth President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
The Secretary General paid tribute to the late former FSM President’s immense contribution to nation building through his years of service as a legislator in the Fifth Congress of FSM and during his presidency from 2003-2007, playing a pivotal leadership role in guiding his country’s national development priorities.
Late President Urusemal attended his first Forum Leader’s meeting as President of FSM at the 34th Pacific Islands Forum in New Zealand in 2003 and continued his unwavering commitment and contribution to regionalism through his consistent participation at Forum Leaders’s meeting during his term.
This week, as we look forward to the high-Level week of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General AssemblY (UNGA), we also remember the former President as a strong advocate on the impacts of climate change in the Pacific.
In his statement to the UN assembly in 2003, he highlighted the need for immediate international action to combat climate change, calling for more urgent attention towards the “...war against climate change – a war that Mankind cannot afford to lose.”
The late Hon. Urusemal served in the Congress in various capacities after his Presidency including as a member of multiple congressional committees, ensuring there were tangible outcomes for his people and communities in the Pacific.
“We join his family and the people of FSM in honoring a great leader and I extend my heartfelt condolences on behalf of my wife and Secretariat staff to his wife, Madam Olania Latileilam and their four children.”
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