Wednesday, 6 October Micronesia As we enter the Information Society of the 21st Century, my Government recognizes the imperative to conduct a comprehensive review of our own domestic policies and regulations to ensure that we have the appropri-ate area in the western and central Pacific Ocean. Like many other SIDS, and particularly as a young island nation, my country still faces formidable challenges in its ongoing nation-building endeavors. environment for affordable and reliable wireless We are encouraged by the Millennium Development Goals and the declarations of the World Summit on the Information Society, among others, as we strongly believe that the challenges that we continue to face can be mitigated by appropriate ICTs applications. With appropriate ICT applications, we would be in a better position, for instance, to improve the delivery of healthcare to our people; provide access to educational opportunities and human resource development; im-prove and Internet services, aside from telephonic communi-cation. I am pleased to note that my Government has embarked upon this undertaking for which the techni-cal expertise of the Union and other parties would be most welcome. Mr Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen the environment of commerce and private busi-ness; preserve our cultural heritage; and reduce the I would like to conclude by reiterating the high hopes that my country places on the application of appropriate ICTs as a critical key to our economic development and social progress. We are doing the best that we can within our means. We are encouraged by the observation that our challenges can be met by the regional and global spirit of collective and collaborative efforts to connect the uncon-nected costs of communication and enhance the reliability of our communication system – all of which are critical to our economic development and social progress. I am pleased to report that the State of Pohnpei, which is also the seat of our national government, has acquired broadband connectivity as of 01 April 2010 with the in-auguration and to bring broadband connectivity at afford-able costs for the benefit of all humankind. of a submarine fiber optic cable. We thank the US Government for providing the spur to the State of Pohnpei, one of the four states in our Federation. On this note, allow me to end by recalling these few words spoken during WSIS II in Tunisia: “We must not be satisfied with mere expression of principles. Lofty principles are meaningless if they are not translated into real actions.” Let these few words be our sailing course here in Guadalajara. It is the priority of the FSM Government to have the en-tire country have broadband connectivity. Regrettably, the Digital Divide continues to exist for three-fourths of the country, as our Government faces the great challenge to bring greater bandwidth and broadband connectivity to the other three states in our Federation, paying spe-cial Thank you so much and mucho gracias. attention to the need for Universal Services as well to the rural and remote island communities in our country. Expanding reliable and affordable wireless services and community-based tele-centers is part and parcel of the challenge for which we seek the guidance and support of the ITU, including our development partners and friends. 113