US and FSM Officials Convene in Guam for Regional Security Talks

Officials from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and representatives from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) convened in Guam on June 4-5, 2025, for a semi-annual bilateral Joint Committee Meeting (JCM). The two-day gathering, held at the Joint Region Marianas Headquarters, aimed to bolster regional security and defense cooperation under the framework of the Compact of Free Association (COFA).

Key Participants and Objectives

The U.S. delegation was led by Rear Admiral Josh Lasky, the Indo-Pacific Command senior military official for the FSM and Commander of Joint Task Force – Micronesia, alongside U.S. Ambassador to the FSM Jennifer Johnson. Representing the FSM were Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin Robert and FSM Department of Justice Acting Secretary Leonito Bacalando, Jr., who delivered closing remarks. Rear Admiral Lasky emphasized that the meetings serve as a crucial venue for 'open, honest, and robust dialogue to build upon our partnership in pursuit of mutual interests that support a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.' Ambassador Johnson reaffirmed the U.S.'s 'full commitment to our shared security responsibilities under the Compact and to strengthening the trust that underpins our partnership.'

Comprehensive Security Agenda

The robust agenda for the JCM encompassed a wide array of security and defense topics, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the U.S.-FSM partnership. Discussions were structured around several key lines of effort, including:

• Homeland defense
• Internal security, addressing law enforcement training, evidence chain of custody, police support for court cases, and patrolling the FSM's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
• Maritime security and maritime domain awareness
• Disaster preparedness and community resiliency building, with a focus on environmental resilience

Additional topics included cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, economic security of the EEZ, Chuuk oil removal, unexploded ordnance (UXO) removal, the NOAA weather station in Kosrae, and veterans' benefits. Updates on ongoing defense projects in Yap state, such as Navy construction battalion warehouses and improvements to the Yap seaport and airport, were also part of the discussions.

Compact of Free Association Context

The JCM operates under Title III: Security and Defense Relations of the Compact of Free Association, which governs the relationship between the United States and the FSM. This agreement grants the U.S. exclusive military access to a strategic area in the Indo-Pacific and provides significant economic and security assistance to the FSM. The COFAs were renewed in March 2024 for another 20 years, with a commitment of $7.1 billion in economic assistance, underscoring the enduring strategic importance of the partnership. The meeting highlighted the U.S. commitment to supporting FSM's national sovereignty and defending against external threats.

Inter-Agency Collaboration

The meeting saw participation from various inter-agency departments and units, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Air Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), demonstrating a comprehensive approach to regional security challenges. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen partnerships, foster communication, and ensure a unified approach to addressing emerging threats, thereby bolstering collective security and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.