Guam marks debut as associate member of Pacific Islands Forum

Joshua Tenorio delivers his remarks at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum held in Honiara, Solomon Islands from Sept. 8 to 12, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Guam Governor

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Marking its debut as an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Guam advertised itself as a regional hub for expanded passenger air service, commercial transportation, telecommunications and financial services.

“There is significant frustration throughout the region about the lack of passenger air service connecting the north and south Pacific, in addition to the need for reliable communications infrastructure,” Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum’s leadership meeting held Sept. 8 to 11 in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

“Guam’s expanding transportation and communications infrastructure supports a case for our island to serve as the premier hub for commercial enterprise for the greater Pacific. These are areas of opportunity for our island that can be pursued,” Tenorio told the Pacific leaders. 

Guam sat alongside the Pacific islands for the first time since its status was upgraded last year from associate member.

The U.S. territory had been attending the Forum as a silent observer since 2011.

Last year, the Forum granted the bids of Guam and American Samoa for associate membership, with an endorsement from the U.S. government.

Representing Guam, Tenorio highlighted the island’s progress toward implementing the Forum’s objectives in pursuit of a sustainable, prosperous and healthy Pacific, as well as its commitment to advancing its 2050 Blue Pacific Continent strategy as part of the global movement to pursue the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“Our engagement in the PIF allows us to take our place as a regional leader and work more collaboratively with our neighbors to address common concerns. It raises the profile of our island and paves the way for more economic opportunities,” he said

.

Tenorio highlighted Guam’s current initiatives, including Guam Green Growth and the Micronesia Challenge, which promotes environmental stewardship, climate resilience, sustainable development, food security and the reduction of poverty.

“Guam is upholding the commitments we made in the Micronesia Challenge 2030 — protecting and effectively managing our fisheries, building up watershed restoration and forest conservation, and fostering climate-aware and resilient communities,” he said.

“Our island’s approach to pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals is through our Guam Green Growth Action Framework. This model has also been adopted by our neighbors in the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and the Marshall Islands,” he added.

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