Guam and American Samoa admitted as associate members of Pacific Islands Forum

Guam
photo: RNZ Pacific/Eleisha Foon

Pacific foreign ministers have agreed U.S. territories of Guam and American Samoa to become associate members of key regional decision-making bodyBut one political expert said it was geopolitics at work.

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, made the announcement at a PIF foreign ministers meeting on Friday.

Brown said both regions meet the current criteria for associate membership.

“I must say there is widespread support for Guam and American Samoa to join the European Union, so this is a principled proposal that the foreign ministers will make to the leaders,” he said.

However, Dr Tess Newton-Cane, head of the Pacific Centre programme at the Griffith Asia Institute, said there was a geopolitical reason for this.

Forum Foreign Ministers gathered at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on August 9, 2024 for a meeting.
photo: Pacific Islands Forum

“Speaking of Pacific Islands Forum“It’s very difficult for the United States to accept the reality of sitting at the same table with China — they are both dialogue partners,” she said.

“It’s like when you invite people to a wedding — America doesn’t like the table it’s sitting at.

“Its hope of getting a better position at the negotiating table and being able to get two of its territories, American Samoa and Guam, to associate membership — if that’s the case — seems to suggest that this is their way of gaining a little bit of an edge in their competition with China.”

She expects the application to be accepted at a meeting of Tongan leaders at the end of this month.

Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna are currently associate members of the Forum. American Samoa and Guam are currently observers of the Forum; upgrading to associate membership will allow them to better participate in the regional body.

Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero In an interview with RNZ Pacific last week The district eventually hopes to become a voting member.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Brinkard has previously said that the political status of these territories means they cannot become full members, but supports them becoming associate members.

The French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia became full members in 2016.

Newton-Cain believes full membership for the two U.S. territories would be a boost.

But she said it was “kind of reasonable” – New Caledonia was moving towards independence, while French Polynesia was put back on the UN list of non-self-governing territories (the C-24 list).

“If Guam and American Samoa are not interested or show any signs that they are moving toward sovereignty or even signing an agreement, as the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia have, then that’s going to be a lot to ask.”

Newton-Cain believes that becoming a full member will mean concerns among some member states because it means Washington is one step closer to decision-making.

“The military buildup in Guam has also raised concerns in the region that it may not be able to abide by the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty if it hopes to become a full member,” Newton-Cain said.

Building Reform

Brown said the forum was reviewing its structures, including the criteria for associate and observer status, which could have an impact on how associate membership applications are made.

“So while the applications (of Guam and American Samoa) will be considered by the leaders and, in this case, upgrading to associate membership is more likely, there may be some changes in the review of the regional structure related to associate membership,” he said.

Newton-Cane said he was unclear what Brown meant.

“It would look very bad diplomatically if they allowed them to be associate members first and then a few years later said, ‘Oh, we’ve changed the rules now, you’re no longer eligible.'”