2026 WERI FSM Advisory Council Meeting

Guam USA · Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) · Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Doors open 8:30 AM
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Cliff Rainbow Hotel, Pohnpei

The annual meeting is a forum for discussion of water resources management and development, and exchange of thoughts about solutions to issues relevant to freshwater resources in FSM. The meeting will start with greetings and introduction of participants, the WERI director’s talk about WERI and USGS 104b program, and be followed by presentations on current and completed projects. Round table discussions will be focused on research, education, training needs and outreach activities, and feedback. A questionnaire form will be distributed to collect topics on updated research and training needs in water resources management and development in FSM.

WERI hosts the annual Advisory Council Meetings for the Western Pacific: Guam, FSM, and CNMI.  WERI reaches out to water and environmental stakeholders in government agencies, military, and private sectors, as well as anyone who is interested in WERI’s scientific research information. WERI presents its mission and vision, current status, project update, and recently accomplished research work. We provide professional perspectives and scientific information to questions concerning water resources, water quality, climatology, groundwater modeling, and information access/transfer. We also solicit research interests and concerns. 

Agenda

  • 08:30 AM | Doors Open 
  • 09:00 AM | Welcoming Remarks & Introduction – Dr. Hiroshan Hettiarachchi, Director, WERI 
  • 09:10 AM | Remarks from WERI Director – Dr. Hiroshan Hettiarachchi
  • 9:15 AM | Overview of WERI, Review of USGS 104B Program, and CFP Schedule
  • 09:30 AM | Briefings on Current and Completed Research Activities 
    • Dr. Yuming Wen, Professor, WERI 
    • Drinking Water Quality Status of the FSM Islands – Ms. Claire Marzan, Research Assistant, WERI 
  • 10:30 AM | Break 
  • 10:40 AM | Presentations from FSM 
    • Yap
    • Chuuk: Enhancing Water Security in Chuuk – Clayton Eliam
    • Kosrae
    • Pohnpei
  • 11:40 AM | Roundtable Discussions 
    • Update of FSM water resources issues 
    • Discussion of critical water research, education and training needs 
  • 12:00 PM | Lunch, Questionnaire Forms