The 2023 University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability at the Hyatt Regency Guam will officially kick off on April 12, with registration from noon and an opening ceremony from 4 to 4.15 p.m. the same day.
The theme of the conference is “Rediscover the Depths of Our Island Abundance.” and speakers and panels will underscore the theme in several ways. Field trips are also included.
The Keynote speaker will be Henk Rogers – previously a featured speaker at the 2022 conference. Rogers is the founder of Blue Planet Foundation and Blue Planet Alliance and is a renewable energy advocate.
Originally from the Netherlands, and now based in Hawaii, Rogers led a campaign to pass the nation’s first 100% renewable energy legislation there. Other speakers include Nicole Yamase, the first Micronesian and Pacific Islander (born in Pohnpei but raised in a number of islands in the Pacific) to descend to the Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench; Kate Brown, executive director of the Global Island Partnership of the United Nations; Christine Landmeier, director of Environmental Sustainability at United Airlines; Omar Degan, principal of DO Architecture Group, which specializes in sustainability and emergency architecture; Basil Ottley, director of Policy for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs; and Landisang Kotaro, chief of staff to the President of Palau. The conference co-chairpersons are Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero and UOG President Thomas W. Krise. A variety of separate but related events are scheduled for April 10 and 11 –some of those by invitation only. Events include a two-day Guam Clean Energy Transition Symposium on April 10 and 11– hosted by the Guam Power Authority, to which the Journal has been invited. The Guam Power Authority is due meet targets of 50% renewable energy in its portfolio by 2035, and 100% by 2045.
GPA has organized an impressive list of experts from off-island that include Scott G. Haase, director of Strategic Partnerships and the Energy Systems Integration Directorate for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, and Timothy Allen, president and CEO of PXiSE Energy Solutions in San Diego, which “enables utilities, campuses, and communities to hit their clean energy goals by giving grid operators control of unlimited renewables,” according to its website.
Also on April 11 the Guam Coastal Management Program is hosting the Submerged Lands Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “The conference serves as a platform to identify preferred sites for cable landings in compliance with the Guam Undersea Access for Homes Act, as outlined in Guam Public Law 36-108, Section 75A209, as well as [to] capture data and information that will help better manage our submerged lands and coastal waters,” according to an April 4 release from the Office of the Governor. The event is grant funded and free, but will require registration athttps://tinyurl.com/SLPguamif planning on attending. For more information on the Submerged Lands Partnership Conference, email the Guam Coastal Management Program at gcmp@bsp.guam.gov or visit www.bsp.guam.gov. Registration is available for participants to join Sustainability conference from April 13-15. For more information on in-person or online/virtual sessions, visit uog.edu/cis2023/registration. Special rates are available for Guam and Micronesia residents, students, and teachers. Regional updates:
The World Bank’s regional office in Pohnpei opened March 31, according to the Office of President David W. Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia. Panuelo, “The office will play a vital role in delivering nearly half a billion dollars in total support across the three countries,” according to the Office of the President.
(From left) Degi Young, resident representative; Stephen Ndegwa, country director for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands; both with the World Bank; President David W. Panuelo; and Eugene Amor, secretary, Department of Finance & Administration of the FSM. Photo courtesy of the Office of the President
The World Bank office is located at Pacific Court across from the U.S. Embassy in Nett. President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. signed Public Law 11-27 into law on March 29. The law extends the Tobacco Control Act to include a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and will come into effect 60 days after being enacted, or May 29. Both houses of theThe Olbiil Era Kelulau or Palau National Congress passed the law, with amendments. The ban also includes a ban on sponsorships and advertising.
Correction:
A story in the Journal of April 3 about AP Group’s Tapped Out and Napu Brewing Co. published grant information that was incorrect. The Journal regrets any distress this may have caused the AP Group. mbj
