American Samoa’s application for Associate Membership in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is receiving support and endorsement from numerous governments north of the equator.
Submitted by Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga in December of last year, the application garnered attention at last month’s meeting of the Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF).
A resolution that was adopted at the meeting states that the Micronesian Islands Forum “fully supports and endorses the application of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam for Associate Membership in the Pacific Islands Forum.”
Lt. Governor La’apui Eleasalo Ale attended the MIF meeting held June 3-5 in Guam.
The resolution came just as American Samoa was preparing for last week’s engagement with a delegation from PIF to assess its compatibility with membership criteria.
The Governor’s Office says American Samoa will continue its advocacy at PIF’s Foreign Officials Committee meeting next month with the aim to have the application considered by PIF Leaders at their meeting in Tonga at the end of August.
