One of the benefits of hosting the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is that Pohnpei receives a lot of international organizations, resident embassies and of course all the revenue that comes with them. It helps the economy for sure by providing higher paying jobs for locals, higher paying rent for local landlords. It's really a good economic boost for Pohnpei as the host of the FSM capital.
What is, if any, the downside of being the host? Well, I can and will name one that is most disturbing in my humble opinion.
HUB CENTRAL
Recently, a bill was introduced in the Pohnpei State Legislature pertaining to the One UN Micronesia House. The UN Multi-Country Office (MCO) has graciously decided to make Pohnpei the hub of its North Pacific UN operations. With multiple UN organizations under the MCO, the One UN Micronesia House aims to house a multitude of offices and employees (Up to 120) and seeks to make Pohnpei a hub of operations drawing visitors from near and far to see the architectural marvel that will be the One UN Micronesia House. That is wonderful!
So, what is disturbing? The bill speaks of the historical and cultural significance of a place called the Pohnpei Botanical Gardens. This is where the UN MCO has decided to put the One UN Micronesia House.
An old Japanese-era agriculture station building is located there. The area, known as Pwunso to locals is part of the lore and landscape that makes up Kolonia town. This very site was recorded as a historic site on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Under the Pohnpei Historic and Cultural Preservation Act of 2002, the Botanical Gardens were also included in Pohnpei State's registry of historical sites.
On the grounds also sit the Pohnpei State Division of Agriculture, Pohnpei Public Library, Pohnpei swimming pool, and Pohnpei Fitness Center - all open to the public, and a very peaceful and scenic place to visit. Plans are in place to construct a Museum in the Botanical Gardens.
To say that the Pohnpei Botanical Gardens area holds significant cultural, historical, and public value is an understatement.
LIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE HORIZON
However, contained within this same bill, is another plan for this very significant cultural and historical site. The plan appears to be undermining its' significance and allowing the use of these grounds which have been open to the public since the Japanese era, to be used for one single international organization:
"While the site of the former Japanese Agriculture Research Station has been registered as a historic site and has been designated for use as a botanical site for exhibiting flora and fauna or our island for some time now, unfortunately, little or no effort has been dedicated to date to bringing the dream of a truly unique and beautifully landscaped Botanical Gardens to fruition. But there is light on the edge of the horizon."
Here is the "light" that will save the Botanical Gardens:
"The UN Resident Coordinator has singled out Pohnpei's Botanical Gardens as the United Nations preferred site for the construction of the One UN Micronesia House project."
A site that has been registered as a historic site under the U.S. and Pohnpei State governments, is now the preferred site for constructing a UN building.
Since the Pohnpei Botanical Gardens have been deemed the preferred site by the UN Resident Coordinator, are no other sites worthy of this project? Have there been consultations with the local government to see what their "preferred" sites are?
In fact, there has been. Sites in Kitti, Sokehs, and Madolenihmw have been offered to the UN MCO for their One UN Micronesia House project.
The idea was to place this "hub" in the outer communities to spur economic growth and development. The local Chief Executives endorsed the idea of NOT having the One UN Micronesia House in Kolonia, but sharing the wealth with the outer communities.
Even the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia and the National Campus of the College of Micronesia are located outside of the already crowded Kolonia.
MICRO(NESIAN) Perspective
Why is an international organization singling out and preferring its own site? Shouldn't the local governments (if public lands are to be used) be the final and determining factor in that decision? Or better yet, engage with private landowners and support the local economy.
Imagine if I came to your house as a guest and then singled out and preferred which room I wanted to sleep in, even after you told me I would be sleeping in the guest room.
In fact, Article 32 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples clearly states:
"Indigenous people have the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for the development or use of their lands or territories and other resources."
When a UN Resident Coordinator singles out and prefers a historical and culturally significant site to construct a "hub" that will forever change the landscape of the area, is that in line with Article 32?
With the vast resources and influence of the UN pitted against local island governments, where are the indigenous rights of the people to determine and develop their priorities and strategies for the development or use of their own lands?
If the State Government has plans in place to construct a museum for the public, why is that not a priority over UN office buildings?
Will constructing the One UN Micronesia House in any place but the Pohnpei Botanical Gardens undermine the making of Pohnpei the hub of the UN's North Pacific operations? No. It won't. Will it affect the effectiveness of the UN's operations in the North Pacific? I seriously doubt it.
Here is what I can guarantee. Placing the UN Micronesia House in the Botanical Gardens will forever change the landscape of a local historical site. Will the Botanical Gardens be accessible to the public? I hope so, but I can't guarantee it. Every single International Organization on Pohnpei and I'm sure all UN buildings have walls and gates.
I support and applaud the UN. They are most welcome here, as our guests and we as their hosts will help settle them in the most appropriate places. It must always be this way. Our house, our rules.
The outer communities, outside of Kolonia have long been neglected and are in dire need of an economic boom. One UN Micronesia House can be that boom.
The wise decision to place the FSM Capital complex and National Campus of the College of Micronesia outside of Kolonia has resulted in economic benefits for Palikir and surrounding areas. Let's continue that trend and share the wealth, as the hub of the UN North Pacific operation, place the One UN Micronesia House outside of Kolonia, away from our historically and culturally significant Botanical Gardens.
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