GUAM Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has called for Guam to be granted full membership of the Pacific Islands Forum, saying the island’s political status should not determine whether its voice is heard in the region.
Speaking during the Leaders’ Dialogue with Associate Members, Country Observers and Observer Organisations, she emphasises the importance of meaningful participation in regional decision-making and Pacific regionalism.
During the same session, Folasaaitu Sorepa Fata-Thomas of American Samoa and Alapati Pita Tavite of Tokelau also advocated for their respective territories to attain Full Membership in the Forum.
Guam is currently an associate member of the 18-member Forum, a position Leon Guerrero said gives Guam “a place in this room, but not always a meaningful voice in it.”
“Political status should not determine whether a Pacific voice is heard,” she said.
Leon Guerrero also urged Pacific leaders to support a precautionary pause on deep-seabed mining until independent scientific assessments can determine its potential impacts.
She said Guam’s political status also limits its access to international financing and leaves the island vulnerable to shifting priorities under successive US administrations.
Leon Guerrero further called for support for Guam’s right to determine its own political future, saying its unfinished self-determination process should remain a Pacific concern.
“Guam comes to this Forum not only to ask, but to contribute,” she said. “We are proud to be part of this Pacific family.”
