In Chuuk State, the Tonoas Smart Island Digital Hub is helping bridge the digital divide in one of the Federated States of Micronesia’s most remote communities.
Equipped with state-of-the-art connectivity infrastructure, the Tonoas Smart Island Digital Hub is funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund and was officially launched at an event hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with support from the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Multi-Country Office (UNRCO MCO).
“This Smart Island initiative is a symbol of what’s possible when technology, community and partnership come together. It’s a cornerstone of our vision for a more connected, more unified Micronesia," said the Federated States of Micronesia’s (FSM) President Wesley W. Simina at the launch of the hub.
Already operational, the Tonoas Digital Hub aims to empower the community with tools to overcome geographic isolation and limited resources – including access to telemedicine, online learning, financial services and local governance.
The initiative, a cornerstone of the FSM Smart Island Project, reflects a collaborative effort to foster digital inclusion, resilience and economic opportunity, setting a precedent for sustainable development across Micronesia’s outer islands.
“UNOPS is committed to supporting FSM in building resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure,” said Tokumitsu Kobayashi, UNOPS Pacific Small Island Developing States Advisor.
“By investing in connectivity and capacity-building, we are helping to lay the foundation for long-term social and economic benefits for the people of Tonoas,” added Tokumitsu Kobayashi.
Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, said: "The newly launched digital hub in Tonoas Island, within the Federated States of Micronesia, will provide the community with vital access to digital services and skills-building opportunities, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
The successful launch of the Tonoas Digital Hub demonstrates the tangible impact of digital innovation in enhancing community resilience. The initiative serves as a model for smart island development and aligns with the missions to build sustainable communities and improve lives through peace and sustainable development.
Read more about this project. This story was originally published here. Click here for more information about the UN's work in Micronesia.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
