The Northern Marianas began its three-day green growth working summit, convening dozens of island leaders to chart a more sustainable future.

CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios said, “It is up to us to begin to forge a community that is sustainable and prosperous for everyone. How does that work? It begins here.”

After launching the CNMI Green Growth Initiative in January, dozens of island leaders convened for a three-day working summit to begin joining forces to address 17 sustainable development goals.

“And then we have SDGs 6, 7, 11, and 12 covering clean water, clean and affordable energy, sustainable communities, responsive consumption and production. What does that mean in the CNMI? Today, we still can't drink our water. We pay some of the highest utility rates in the nation, and we are still heavily dependent on fossil fuels to power everything that we do. What does our transition look like,” said Governor’s Special Assistant for Climate Policy and Planning, Tina Sablan.

The summit is focused on regenerative sustainability, long-term viability while restoring ecosystems, and community.

President of the Northern Marianas College Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero said, “We’ve got to focus on awareness, ease, and accountability. That is how we can help everyone do better because what is at stake is life and death, the life of our planet, and the life of each other.”