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RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Guam governor drums up regional support for US$1b hospital project
By Ron Rocky Coloma , Pacific Island Times Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero with Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine. Photo: Office of the Governor of Guam The 27th Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF) has adopted a resolution supporting the development of a regional medical complex on Guam. "For years, patients from across Micronesia have come to Guam to access healthcare services, so we already have a clear picture of where the needs are and what services people are seeking when they arrive," Guam's Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, who introduced the resolution during the Forum's meeting in Majuro this month, said. The governor is proposing to build a US$1 billion hospital in Mangilao. The goal is to scale care and keep patients closer to home. The governor also noted the economic and staffing opportunities that could follow. "With the strong ties we share among our island communities, the other MIF leaders agreed that making Guam a medical hub would help improve the quality of care available to their citizens, while keeping them closer to home," she said. "I also believe that by creating a regional healthcare system, we can more easily attract specialists to Guam. When we combine the patient populations of our region, we create the demand needed to support more advanced and specialized services-something that benefits all of us in the Pacific," she added. When island leaders gathered in Majuro for the Forum meeting, Guam showed up with urgency. Climate change topped the agenda, but the meeting also laid groundwork for regional healthcare, connectivity and gender equity. According to the governor, leaders pointed to gaps in healthcare, workforce development and resilience planning. Guam's experience navigating these same pressures helped shape the forum's priorities. "The experiences of our Pacific neighbors mirror many of our own, and several of our administration's key initiatives, such as the establishment of a new public hospital, workforce development programs and expanded air transportation, hold promise not only for Guam but for the broader Micronesian region," she said. The forum also reached consensus on another priority: equity. Leaders unanimously endorsed the Micronesian Gender Equality Framework, a regional commitment that brought together state actors and traditional leadership. "MIF leaders unanimously endorsed the Micronesian Gender Equality Framework, a landmark commitment that brought together governments, development partners and traditional leaders to establish a culturally grounded, inclusive and actionable path toward gender equality across the region," Leon Guerrero said. She sees the endorsement not only as a moral imperative, but a development strategy. "This endorsement marks a significant step forward," she said. "As leaders of smaller island jurisdictions commit to advancing gender equity, they are also opening doors to economic growth by empowering more women to enter the workforce, pursue higher education and take on leadership roles. Women's participation is crucial to shaping effective responses to the region's most pressing challenges, including climate change, transportation and community resilience." Still, some issues proved sensitive. Deep-sea mining, currently permitted in Nauru, raised concern among some participants. The governor said leaders addressed it with caution and a call for more research. "On more sensitive issues, MIF leaders exercised thoughtful diplomacy," she said. "For instance, concerns over the unknown effects of deep-sea mining-currently permitted by the Republic of Nauru-were met with a collective call for further research and ongoing dialogue. The 27th MIF Communiqué reflects this consensus, affirming the need for continued information sharing and regional cooperation on the matter." Leon Guerrero also emphasised Guam's potential role in solving a core challenge across the Pacific: funding. Even when money is available, many island governments struggle to access it. "I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Global Islands Summit, and I'm honored that a portion of my remarks was also shared at the United Nations Ocean Conference 3, or UNOC3," she said. "In both forums, I spoke about Guam's unique position as a financial hub in the region-and how we can use that strength to help shape financing guidelines that are appropriately scaled for small island communities facing the impacts of climate change." She believes the Pacific Islands Development Bank, headquartered on Guam, could help bridge that gap. "The leaders of Micronesia serve as its board of directors, and I believe that growing the bank's capacity could be a true game changer for our region," the governor said. But even that requires systemic change. "Right now, the biggest bottleneck to accessing hundreds of millions in climate financing is not the lack of available funds. It's the inability of our island governments to meet the complex requirements of the application process," she said. "These guidelines are designed for countries with populations in the millions. For many of us in the Pacific, with populations under 20,000, those requirements are simply too burdensome. Guam can lead the way in advocating for financing systems that work for communities like ours," she added. -This article was first published by Pacific Island Times .
Scoop
05-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Nauru Signs Two Landmark Agreements In Majuro
, Editor, Marshall Islands Journal / RNZ Pacific correspondent Two landmark air carrier cooperation agreements involving Nauru Airlines were signed during the Micronesian Islands Forum in Majuro this week. The first, signed Thursday, is between Nauru Airlines and Air Marshall Islands (AMI), the national air carrier of Forum's host nation. This agreement covers cooperation plans ranging from a joint pilot training program to marketing, promotion, schedule harmonisation and sales agent representation for each other. The agreement was signed by Nauru Airlines chairman Charleston Deiye and AMI chairman Bobby Muller. On Friday, also on the margins of the Micronesian leaders' summit, Nauru government leaders joined with their counterparts from the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau to sign a memorandum of understanding to promote trade and food security opportunities through expanded use of Nauru Airlines cargo services. Both agreements come after over a year of ongoing discussions about air service cooperation among aviation task forces in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia with Nauru Airlines executives. An important topic of the ongoing aviation cooperation discussions that was not addressed in the new agreements is expanding Nauru Airlines island hopper service to the Philippines and Hawaii. Coordinated scheduling of cargo through Nauru Airlines' Central Pacific route is a key component of the agreement among the four Pacific nations in an effort to solve logistical, economic and geographic challenges faced by all of these small islands which historically have had limited access to affordable essential goods and trade opportunities. "Working together with more air cargo capacity among us and more frequent air shipments will ensure the timely delivery of fresher and more nutritious produce to our nations," Marshall Islands Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce Tony Muller said at the signing ceremony Friday. "Greater volumes of quality fresh food coming frequently from Fiji through our connected air networks will improve affordability of food, and provide more nutritious, healthier food supplies which of course will support the health of people across our nations." A regional cargo coordination committee will be formed with a representative from each nation. Areas of cooperation to be explored include coordinated scheduling of essential cargo through Nauru Airlines' routes, exchange of information on customs, quarantine and air cargo regulatory requirements; exploration of digital cargo tracking and documentation solutions and joint representation in dialogue with regional organizations and development partners to support regional cargo initiatives.
ABC News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
PNG and convene first Development Cooperation Conference
On the program today The Micronesian Islands Forum officially opens, with leaders expected to discuss a range of issues, including a wave of deportations from the US. Fiji Prime Minister Rabuka declares Fiji won't welcome any Chinese military bases in the region. Papua New Guinea and Bougainville convene the first Development Cooperation Conference in Port Moresby. A new study shows traditional healers or Taulasea play a signifcant role within Samoan society. The NRLW competition returns with two new teams added to the fold. Palau's number one sport baseball gets underway at the Pacific Mini Games. And preparations to enter Papua New Guinea into Australia's NRL take another step forward, with the creation of a new national youth competition.
ABC News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Micronesian Islands Forum opens following wave of deportees from US
On the program today The Micronesian Islands Forum officially opens, with leaders expected to discuss a range of issues, including a wave of deportations from the US. Fiji Prime Minister Rabuka declares Fiji won't welcome any Chinese military bases in the region. Papua New Guinea and Bougainville convene the first Development Cooperation Conference in Port Moresby. A new study shows traditional healers or Taulasea play a signifcant role within Samoan society. The NRLW competition returns with two new teams added to the fold. Palau's number one sport baseball gets underway at the Pacific Mini Games. And preparations to enter Papua New Guinea into Australia's NRL take another step forward, with the creation of a new national youth competition.
RNZ News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Micronesian Summit in Majuro this week
Flags from most of the Micronesian islands participating in the regional summit this week fly outside the International Conference Center in Majuro on Monday. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Giff Johnson The Micronesian Islands Forum cranks up with officials meetings Monday and Tuesday this week in Majuro, with the official opening for top leadership from the islands on Wednesday morning. Marshall Islands leaders are being joined at this summit by their counterparts from Kiribati, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. "At this year's Leaders Forum, I hope we can make meaningful progress on resolving airline connectivity issues - particularly in Micronesia - so our region remains connected and one step ahead," President Hilda Heine said on the eve of this subregional summit. The Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia have been negotiating with Nauru Airlines over the past two years to extend the current island hopper service with a link to Honolulu. "Equally important," said President Heine, "the Forum offers a vital platform to strengthen regional solidarity and build common ground on key issues such as climate, ocean health, security, trade, and other pressing challenges. Ultimately, our shared purpose must be to work together in support of the communities we represent." Monday and Tuesday feature official-level meetings at the International Conference Center in Majuro. Wednesday will be the official opening of the Forum and will feature statements from each of the islands represented. Outgoing Micronesian Island Forum Chair Guam Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero is expected to hand over the chair post to President Heine Wednesday morning. Other top island leaders expected to attend the summit: FSM President Wesley Simina, Kiribati President Taneti Maamau, Nauru Deputy Speaker Isabela Dageago, Palau Minister Steven Victor, Chuuk Governor Alexander Narruhn, Pohnpei Governor Stevenson Joseph, Kosrae Governor Tulensa Palik, Yap Acting Governor Francis Itimai, and CNMI Lt. Governor David Apatang. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa is also expected to participate. Pretty much every subject of interest to the Pacific islands will be on the table for discussions, including presentations on education, health and transportation. The latter will include a presentation by the Marshall Islands Aviation Task Force that has been meeting extensively with Nauru Airlines. In addition, Pacific Ocean Commissioner Dr. Filimon Manoni will deliver a presentation, gender equality will be on the table, as will updates on the SPC and Secretariat of the Pacific Region Environment Program North Pacific offices, and the United Nations multi-country office. The Micronesia Challenge environmental program will get focus during a luncheon for the leaders hosted by the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority Thursday at its new headquarters annex. Pacific Island Development Bank and the Bank of Guam will make presentations, as will the recently established Pacific Center for Island Security. A special night market at the Marshall Islands Resort parking lot will be featured Wednesday evening. Friday will feature a leaders retreat on Bokanbotin, a small resort island on Majuro Atoll's north shore. While the leaders gather, other Forum participants will join a picnic or fishing tournament. Friday evening is to feature the closing event to include the launching of the Marshall Islands' Green Growth Initiative and the signing of the Micronesian Island Forum communique.
