Guam G3 lauds new CNMI Green Growth initiative

With the launch of the new Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Green Growth Initiative on Friday, January 26, in Saipan, officials from the Guam Green Growth (G3) initiative praised the move, considering it a strategic step toward sustainable development in the Micronesian region. 
 
CNMI Green Growth is co-chaired by CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios and Northern Marianas College (NMC) President Galvin Deleon Guerrero. To implement the initiative, they are forming a Working Group tasked with creating a CNMI Green Growth Action Strategy. 
 
The CNMI Green Growth Working Group is being chaired by CNMI Special Assistant for Climate Policy, Christina Sablan, and NMC Dean of Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Services (CREES) Patricia Coleman. 
 
 “The expansion of the G3 Initiative into the CNMI collectively strengthens our capacity across Micronesia and the Pacific to advance sustainable development. This is a step in the right direction, with G3 making huge strides in achieving the goals set forth in our own Action Framework,” said Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and G3 co-chair. 

Leon Guerrero added, “It will be exciting to watch CNMI’s process as they plan for their own locally driven strategies that are aligned with the 17 UN SDGs.” 
 
 
University of Guam President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA, who co-chairs G3 with the governor, said the CNMI Green Growth initiative marks the beginning of a phenomenal comprehensive voyage, embarking on a sustainable journey that promises to yield many transformative outcomes.

“This visionary initiative is not just a path to environmental stewardship but a roadmap to progress, set to benefit residents across the CNMI. Through the partnership between UOG and the Northern Marianas College community, we can navigate together and shape a resilient, eco-friendly future that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations,” she said. 
 
In September 2019, Guam and other island jurisdictions launched the Local2030 Islands Network at the 74th U.N. General Assembly. 
 
A year after, the Governor and UOG launched G3 and adopted the G3 Action Framework, a strategic 10-year sustainability action plan facilitated by the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. 
 
With the launch of the CNMI Green Growth initiative, it now becomes the newest member of the Local2030 Islands Network. 
 
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, co-chairperson of the G3 Steering Committee, said he is thrilled to welcome the CNMI into the Local2030 Islands Network.

“The launch of the CNMI Green Growth Initiative represents a pivotal moment in our collective commitment to sustainable development. Together, we can cultivate a resilient and eco-friendly future that transcends borders,” Tenorio added. 
 
With the addition of CNMI into the network, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., said, “We are very happy to congratulate the CNMI for taking this important step to launch their own Green Growth initiative. The Guam Green Growth initiative is happy to support them as we build a sustainable future for our island region together.” 
 
Shelton co-chairs the G3 Steering Committee with the lieutenant governor. 
 
Last year, the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant and the University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program announced the expansion of the Green Growth initiative across the Western Pacific, with funding support from the U.S. Department of State via the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program. 
 
The plan is to expand the scope of the Green Growth initiative to the CNMI, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and Marshall Islands.