Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands participated in the summer meeting of the Island Government Finance Officers Association meeting in Portland, Oregon in May. Guam's Edward Birn, Director of the Department of Administration and CNMI Secretary of Finance Tracy Norita attended the event. 

They were joined by government finance leaders from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The conference featured various topics ranging from Finance Office Management and Process Improvement to Fiscal Management. 

During his closing remarks, Birn said, "Our dedication to serving the public drives us to overcome every obstacle, no matter how daunting. The lack of resources may pose challenges, but our determination will lead us to find creative solutions to create a brighter future for our community. By the time we meet again, let us strive to find an island solution to the worldwide problem of attracting and retaining the best talent in government. Together, we can shape a brighter future through our determination and collaborative efforts."

The next meeting will be held in 2024 in Hawaii.