The CNMI came away from the 28th Micronesian Islands Forum with regional backing for its push to develop sustainable commercial fisheries and seek more scientific data before moving forward with deep-sea mining in the Marianas.
The 28th MIF was held Aug. 17-21, 2026, in Pohnpei State in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Clement “CJ” Bermudes Jr., special adviser to the governor for economic issues, headed the official CNMI delegation to the forum.
He told Marianas Press that the delegation also included Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvan Igisomar; Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, representing the Public School System Board of Education and MANGO; and Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Warren Villagomez, who also represented the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.
He said the fisheries and deep-sea mining issues were among 10 resolutions signed during the forum.
“The CNMI and Guam in particular pushed this idea of building a sustainable, sustainable commercial fisheries, for example. Getting in line with our Micronesian neighbors so that we can compete on the fisheries idea,” he said.
He added, “And then, you know, we also received some support on this idea that we would like to see more scientific data before moving forward with deep sea mining.”
Bermudes said these were united positions that MIF members agreed to support, giving the Marianas regional backing on issues that directly affect the islands.
He said the sustainable and competitive commercial fisheries initiative was pushed by the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources through the Micronesian Challenge. MIF members also aligned on the need for more scientific evidence before pursuing deep-sea mining in the Marianas.
The forum also tackled workforce development and energy security, including ways Micronesian islands could better insulate themselves from rising fuel prices and future global economic shocks.
For the storm-battered CNMI, disaster recovery and regional mutual assistance were also important parts of the discussions.
The MIF was originally scheduled for July but was postponed because of Super Typhoon Bavi and its impacts in Guam and the CNMI. Bermudes said Gov. David M. Apatang wanted the Commonwealth's message at the gathering to emphasize resilience following disasters and stronger regional engagement with its Micronesian neighbors.
“We really want to underscore the idea of resilience in disaster and the importance of mutual, you know, aid and mutual assistance,” Bermudes said.
He said the discussions explored what practical mutual assistance among Micronesian jurisdictions could look like—from information sharing and emergency-response experience to personnel, resources, and avenues for financial assistance following disasters.
Air service—another perennial challenge for the CNMI and its Micronesian neighbors—was also on the table.
Bermudes said MIF has a committee focusing on tourism and air service, with Villagomez taking part in discussions on the CNMI's position.
“Air service is important to everyone in Micronesia,” Bermudes said.
He said participants discussed how jurisdictions negotiate with airlines, develop focus cities, target the right tourism markets, and learn from approaches that have worked elsewhere in the region, including Palau, the FSM, and Nauru.
For the CNMI, he said the question is how those lessons can fit into the Marianas' efforts to restore tourism following the pandemic and recent disasters.
Another development was support for strengthening the MIF itself.
Bermudes said member jurisdictions pushed for more financial support to establish a permanent MIF secretariat with dedicated staff. Such a setup would lessen the burden on the government hosting the forum each year and allow MIF to operate more like a permanent regional body.
For the CNMI, he said, a stronger MIF carries added importance because the Commonwealth is a non-sovereign U.S. territory and does not have the same diplomatic avenues available to its sovereign Micronesian neighbors.
“We care deeply about sub-regional collaboration like the Micronesian Islands Forum, and we were happy to see that member states were in agreement that we should be strengthening forums like the MIF to elevate our voice on the global stage,” Bermudes said.
The CNMI is a full member of the MIF and has participated in the regional gathering for years. Apatang, then lieutenant governor, represented the Commonwealth when the forum was held in the Marshall Islands last year.
Bermudes said continued participation gives the CNMI an avenue to work with its neighbors on natural resources, workforce development, trade, air service, tourism, and disaster preparedness.
“If we continue to strengthen forums like this and we continue to participate, we continue to elevate the voice of the Marianas,” he said.
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