Micronesian Island Forum in Guam will focus on stronger connections

By Oyaol Ngirairikl
Journal Staff

Leaders of the Micronesian region are slated to meet in early June to discuss issues ranging from tourism and the economy to bleaching coral reef and climate change.

Guam will host the 26th Micronesian Islands Forum from June 3 to June 4. President Wesley W. Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia will pass the chairmanship to Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero. The FSM hosted the 2023 forum in Pohnpei, which was the first time leaders had met face to face since 2019 just before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We’re hosting (this year) and so will take the leadership,” said Carlotta Leon Guerrero, chief adviser on military and regional affairs for the Office of the Governor of Guam. “One of the primary goals of the governor with this Micronesian Island Forum is to strengthen the existing working groups and to strengthen the connections between the leaders.”

The theme for this year’s forum is, “Writing Our History, Shaping Our Future.”

The MIF was established in 1994. It comprises island nations and territories in Micronesia including the FSM, the Marshalls, Palau, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. In 2023, the Forum welcomed the Republic of Nauru as the MIF’s 10th member. The MIF’s main objective is to foster cooperation and collaboration on common issues such as sustainable development, climate change, ocean conservation, economic development, cultural preservation, and regional security. It also provides a platform for members to interact with other regional and international organizations.

The forum continues to play a notable role in promoting cooperation and collaboration on health, environment, and other areas of significant importance to the Micronesia region.

Leon Guerrero said strengthening the relationships and creating a unified voice is critical for small Pacific islands where importation of goods exceeds exports by a wide margin and that often leads to a higher cost of living. Working together, perhaps solutions to reduce costs and ensure benefits are more widely available to all can be achieved.

“You see that going on all over the Pacific, like at the Pacific Islands Forum, they’re talking about the review of regional architecture and how are we talking to each other, sharing information, and solutions to similar challenges,” Leon Guerrero said. “You see this effort to reach across vast ocean distances, trying to do what’s best for our ocean and our ocean people. We are looking at a number of issues, our fishing, deep sea mining, waterways for military actions, and climate change.”

The islands do have connections.

In October, Nauru Airlines started an “island hopper” flight from Brisbane via Tarawa, Majuro, and Pohnpei then to Palau. In May, Nauru Airlines started another flight between Brisbane and Palau. Papua New Guinea’s Air Niugini suspended flights on the Palau-Brisbane route on May 1, citing lack of support.

Guam and Palau recently signed a State Partnership Program, according to Journal files. On April 29, President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., Gov. Leon Guerrero and Col. Michael W. Cruz, adjutant general of the Guam National Guard, signed a declaration formalizing the nation’s newest state partnership in what was touted as a historic ceremony. 

The State Partnership Program offers opportunities including exchanges in law enforcement and border security, cyber protection and resilience, medical and civil engineering community engagements, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Carlotta Leon Guerrero said a significant part of the MIF discussions will be focused on “renewing our ocean pathways,” which have a history spanning centuries, and identifying a path forward that uplifts everyone in the Micronesian region. She said following Palau and Guam’s announcement of the partnership, at least one other Pacific leader is looking toward establishing such programs.

The MIF Secretariat helps organize various committees - the  Regional Tourism Committee, Pacific Islands Regional Recycling Initiative Council, Regional Health Committee, Regional Energy Committee, Regional Invasive Species Council, Information Communication Technology Committee, Regional Transportation Committee, Regional Workforce Development Council, Regional Education Committee and the Gender Equality Committee.

Leon Guerrero said the cooperation within a working committee such as transportation, will look at issues like islands with 300 people and try to find solutions to help promote health and the economy. Leon Guerrero is the founder of the Ayuda Foundation, a non-profit organization that has organized donations and both educational and healthcare outreach programs for islands throughout the region. She said this type of cooperation and coordination is critical.

While there has been growth and forward movement in terms of healthcare, education gender equality and more, there remain gaps that the forum with its working committees can address, she said.

“If you are the public health director here and talking to the public health director of Chuuk and RMI that’s only good because you’re sharing knowledge that could help both your people,” she said. mbj