With Guam becoming a new associate member of the Pacific Island Forum, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero offers her support to the PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa, in the fight against climate change.

The letter expressed support for the PIF Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones related to sea levels rising following a hearing hosted by the United Nations on Sept. 25, 2024.

This was the first hearing on Sea Level Rise at the urging of Pacific leaders in the PIF.

Sea level rise is of utmost concern to islanders, but until now, it has been packed in the broader issues of climate change.

“Guam is well aware of the importance of sovereignty in the context of sea-level rise. These are issues that disproportionately affect our island communities. No island government should suffer diminished autonomy or territorial sovereignty, including in its exclusive economic zone, because of the impacts of sea-level rise. Further, sea-level rise is devastating to many island communities confronting the mounting challenges of persistent droughts, coastal erosion, and high tides that salt aquifers and destroy crops. Severe capacity constraints hinder response to extreme weather conditions that lead to coral bleaching events that impact coastal fishing communities and their livelihoods,” said Leon Guerrero.