Guam, NMI, American Samoa associated membership to PIF to be discussed in Tonga

Leaders of Pacific nations are expected to discuss associate membership for Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa in the Pacific Islands Forum at the 53rd Leaders Meeting in Tonga later this month. The meeting is scheduled for Aug. 26-30. 

Current members, including Palau, Cook Islands and others have expressed support for the U.S. territories’ memberships. Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands currently hold observer status.

In June, Secretary Antony Blinken wrote to the territories’ governors expressing  the U.S. State Department’s official endorsement. Membership status had previously not been allowed and this new turnabout comes with the caveat that they can’t take foreign policy positions.

The Pacific Islands Forum, founded in 1971, is the region’s primary diplomatic body and provides a vital platform for leaders to discuss policies that mutually benefit Pacific nations. There are currently 18 members across the Pacific Ocean, to include nations from north and south Pacific.

PIF Chairperson Mark Brown noted there is "widespread support" for the U.S. territories' memberships.

There have been suggestions that the move is influenced by geopolitics.

"It does seem to indicate this is how they (United States ) get a little bit of an edge on China,” said Dr. Tess Newton-Cain of Griffith Asia Institute. "It does seem to indicate this is how they (United States) get a little bit of an edge on China."

In a letter to Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, Blinken wrote; “I am pleased to inform you that the U.S. government has transmitted to the PIF an official communication conveying its support for consideration of Guam as an associate member, and, subject to any discussions and understandings between the United States and the PIF, for the PIF to consider approving Guam’s status as an associate member at the earliest opportunity.”

He also wrote that the discussions of associate membership acknowledge “common challenges and interests Guam shares with the PIF member states.”

American Samoa and the Northern Marianas Islands received similar letters from Secretary Blinken. 

“This decision by the United States is made with the understanding that the status of associate membership in the PIF does not require Guam to take on or exercise any rights or responsibilities inconsistent with its status as a U.S. territory, including under international law,” Blinken wrote.

Leon Guerrero, in response, expressed appreciation for the new support, and added that the letters follow discussions held at the Micronesian Islands Forum, which Guam hosted earlier this summer. Guam has already submitted its application to the PIF. 

Full membership for the territories may face challenges, particularly regarding regional concerns over Guam's military buildup and compliance with the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Treaty.

Leon Guerrero has said that Guam ultimately wants to become members with full voting privileges. mbj