Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia: Four state legislatures across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have launched new digital platforms, opening up public access to elected representatives, parliamentary proceedings, and institutional information for communities spread across one of the world’s most geographically dispersed regions.

Under the Strengthening Legislatures in the Pacific (SLIP II) project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Government of Japan, the launch marks a decisive shift toward more transparent, inclusive, and accessible governance, ensuring that citizens across every island can be more easily connected to their parliaments.

Joined by partners and government officials, the launch forms part of the Government of Japan’s broader support to governance, parliamentary development, and digital connectivity across the North Pacific. 

By making laws, records, and parliamentary information available online, the websites replace barriers of geography with pathways of access. They bring clarity where information was once fragmented, continuity where access was uneven, and opportunity where distance once limited engagement.

“It will enable our citizens local and abroad as well as people of the world to have access to the state laws so it’s available to everyone. We’ve never had this online presence before, so it is a giant step for the country and its citizens, to have that presence in the cyberworld. Thank you UNDP, for providing the assistance for our state to make all this a possibility,” said Barney Dois, IT Specialist, Chuuk State Legislature.

The handover followed two days of intensive technical training, where representatives from Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae, and Pohnpei State Legislatures, alongside the Palau National Congress, worked with UNDP and technical experts, with a focus on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the new platforms.

This investment in institutional capacity ensures that access to information is not temporary, but embedded within the long-term functioning of legislatures.

“This project represents and emphasises that the chamber in Yap state legislature is the meeting place of the people and belongs to everyone, now more than ever through this modern medium that is more real to the people. On behalf of our small legislature, we are grateful to UNDP and the people of Japan for helping us,” said Dee Libian, Chief Clerk of the Yap State Legislature, together with Legal Counsel Genevieve Mangefl.

Speaking at the handover, His Excellency Kagomiya Nobuo, Ambassador of Japan to the Federated States of Micronesia, said:

“Japan shares common values including democracy, rule of law, human rights and maritime security with the Pacific Island Countries and continue to support these countries.”

Gulbahor Nematova, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for the North Pacific added the initiative was built on the back of a whole-of-society approach to digital transformation: 

“This project lays the foundation for more connected and informed Federated States of Micronesia. Building on the momentum, UNDP will continue to promote open and reliable digital connectivity.”,

The initiative reflects a strong partnership between UNDP and the Government of Japan, grounded in shared commitments to democracy, rule of law, and inclusive governance. The broader regional rollout will continue, with the Palau National Congress website to be launched in the coming months. 

For more information please contact:

Nick Turner | Head of Communications | nicholas.turner@undp.org