CNMI's application still pending review
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Guam is seeking to strengthen its bond with neighboring Pacific islands by pushing for wider participation in regional discussions, according to a Cabinet official.
“We are cautiously optimistic that our application for associate member status is on track for a favorable vote by the leaders during the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga,” said Carlotta Leon Guerrero, chief advisor military and regional affairs advisor.
Carlotta Leon Guerrero is currently in Tonga with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa. They are accompanied by two members of the Executive Security, according to the governor’s office.
Guam’s application for a status upgrade is on the Forums’ agenda, which includes discussions on climate change, decolonization and regional security.
“We want to strengthen our friendships and bonds with all the Pacific leaders so that we can deliver on the bold commitments of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific continent,” Carlotta Leon Guerrero said.
During a meeting in Fiji earlier this month, the Foreign Ministers Committee endorsed Guam’s and American Samoa’s bid for associate membership. Both territories currently hold observer status.
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The State Department, after years of reluctance, has eventually agreed to back the territories’ petitions for a status upgrade.
If inducted into the organization, Guam and American Samoa would become non-voting associate members.
“We hope that our sincere desire to draw closer to our Pacific friends and neighbors will be well received,” Carlotta Leon Guerrero said.
“Guam wants to join the PIF so that we can help bear the burden of sustainable stewardship of the Pacific so that all our efforts help improve the lives of islanders,” she added.
The Northern Mariana Islands’ application, however, is still pending review. Its application did not make it to this year’s agenda due to travel difficulties experienced by the Forum’s delegation that was supposed to conduct an onsite assessment.
“They were not able to make it to the commonwealth to do their assessment prior to this meeting,” Gov. Arnold Palacios said.
“It was supposed to come in late July, but they weren't able to make the connections and the travel arrangements to accommodate the window,” he explained.
The CNMI, which holds an observer status, submitted its application in July, Palacios said.
“So our application is still in the process,” the governor said. “We still can go to these meetings, not necessarily participating in the discussion, but as part of the U.S. delegation.”
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