Guam attended the Pacific Islands Forum for the first time this week as an associate member, marking a historic step in the island’s regional engagement. Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio represented Guam at the 54th annual meeting of the region’s premier political organization, which granted Guam observer status in 2011 before elevating it to associate membership following a review process. The milestone came as U.S. Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii introduced federal legislation to strengthen U.S. ties with the Forum through the Pacific Partnership Act.
Tenorio emphasized Guam’s role in advancing the Forum’s objectives, including the 2050 Blue Pacific Continent strategy and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted local initiatives such as Guam Green Growth and the Micronesia Challenge, which focus on environmental stewardship, food security, climate resilience, and poverty reduction. “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,” he said.
The lieutenant governor outlined Guam’s ongoing efforts in watershed restoration, forest conservation, fisheries management, and building climate-resilient communities. He noted that Guam’s Green Growth Action Framework has become a model for regional sustainability, adopted in the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and the Marshall Islands.
Tenorio also promoted Guam as a potential hub for transportation, telecommunications, and financial services in the Pacific, citing the island’s growing infrastructure and central location. “There is significant frustration throughout the region about the lack of passenger air service connecting the north and south Pacific,” he said, adding that Guam is well positioned to expand connectivity and strengthen commercial enterprise across the region.
