CNMI leaders attend Guam Defense Forum

CNMI Governor David Apatang and a delegation from the NMI are in Guam for the Guam Defense Forum.

“This meeting today is very important for us in the Marianas,” Apatang told Marianas Press Contributor Eliseo Silverio III. “It is very interesting how the DOD presented today…Hopefully, things will move over to the Northern Marianas.”

Apatang said they have been discussing issues for the CNMI and encourages the DOD to expedite the military projects on Tinian so the region can get more assistance from the military.

The forum brings defense leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders from across the Indo-Pacific to discuss regional security, civil-military collaboration, and community engagement.

Saipan Chamber of Commerce President Joe Guerrero is also attending the two-day event. “I encouraged a bunch of folks from the CNMI to come out…so far it has been great,” he said. “We urge DOD to consider hosting a forum for the CNMI and the rest of the Pacific islands, as DOD is clear on expanding their presence in the Northern Marianas and around the Pacific Islands.”

Guerrero said each island in the CNMI has its own unique needs and hopes the forum fosters understanding, so that the community's voices are heard up the chain of command at the DOD.