Guam, American Samoa PIF status upgraded to associate membership

Guam and American Samoa join the membership of the Pacific Island Forum after years of observer status. The announcement came shortly after the 53^rd PIF Leaders Retreat during the August forum held in Tonga, according to Guam and American Samoa governor’s offices.

There currently are 18 full members in PIF and now four associate members — Wallis-Futuna, Tokelau, Guam, and American Samoa. The PIF, founded in 1971, brings the region together to address shared and pressing challenges and foster collaboration in pursuing solutions. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has indicated they will submit their application for associate member status, according to the press release from Guam.

As an associate member, Guam and American Samoa will sit at the table when PIF leaders meet in the Solomon Islands next year. 

Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero was notified of the successful vote for Guam by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Tonga Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku. This news follows Lt. Governor Joshua F. Tenorio’s mission in Fiji, where he attended the PIF meeting of foreign ministers and helped secure Guam’s place on the agenda discussed this week, according to Adelup.

“I would like to thank the PIF leaders for their confidence and support to include our three close partners, the Presidents of Palau, the FSM, and the RMI,” Leon Guerrero said. “The PIF has become the leading organization fighting against the threats of climate change, and Guam has sought to join forces in solidarity with our Pacific brothers and sisters. It is a momentous occasion to know that Guam will be part of a strong voice in the international and global world. I am deeply moved and impressed to see so many world leaders gathered and ready to pledge their support and invest financial and technical resources to address the challenges facing our Pacific homes. In addition to our Pacific leaders, I spoke with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Greece, Germany, the EU, Serbia, the United States, and France. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, also urged the world powers to help the Pacific financially to combat rising seas and devastating weather patterns.”

Gov. Lemanu P. S. Maug said it is important that American Samoa be able to join Pacific island leaders in discussing shared challenges.

“The conversations that take place and decisions that are made at the Forum have far reaching effects across the Pacific. They affect our home and our people. This is why a seat at this table is so important to American Samoa,” Maug said in a Facebook post.

Guam, America Samoa, and the CNMI joined the PIF as Observers in 2011. However, as territories of the United States, their membership would require approval by United States. That approval was expressed earlier this year by the Department of State, as reported by the Journal.  Read that story at https://mbjguam.com/guam-nmi-american-samoa-associated-membership-pif-be-discussed-tonga. mbj