Guam seeks full membership in Pacific Islands Forum

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Koror—Guam, currently an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum, is seeking a full-time membership in the regional organization.

“We are stronger when all voices are heard and considered regardless of our size, geography, alliances, or political status,” Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said, addressing the Forum on Sept. 1

PIF is the region’s premier political and economic forum. Full membership would give Guam a stronger voice in shaping regional economic, security, governance, environmental, and development initiatives across the Blue Pacific.

“Guam comes to this Forum not only to ask, but to contribute. We are proud to be part of this Pacific family, and we will continue standing with you to protect the people, cultures, lands, and oceans that make the Pacific our home,” the Governor told member nations and territories.

Full membership would also strengthen Guam’s ability to participate in regional initiatives involving economic development, trade, climate resilience, ocean stewardship, connectivity, and access to partnerships and resources available through the Forum and its regional network.

Guam’s status as a U.S. territory has been seen as an impediment to full PIF membership, to which the governor told Forum members, 

“No matter where we stand on the issues that affect us, we are stronger when all voices are heard and considered, regardless of our size, geography, alliances, or political status. Pacific-led solutions can come from Guam just as they can come from anywhere in our region.”

Leon Guerrero also called particular attention to the deep seabed mining issue and Guam’s strategic role in U.S. military and geopolitical planning across the Indo-Pacific region.

Indo-Pacific region. She framed both issues within the broader context of Guam’s political status and the importance of ensuring that Pacific communities have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them.

“Guam’s limited sovereignty does not mean limited ambition. So I ask this Forum for your guidance. Help us find the doors that are open to Guam," the governor said.

"Help us understand what resources, partnerships and financing opportunities we can access. We look forward to  building that capacity together. The stronger we become together, the stronger our Pacific family becomes,” she added.

She said political status should not determine whether a Pacific voice is heard.