Guam is now the epicenter of vibrant discourse on sustainability, the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant forging a partnership with the Japan-based Sasakawa Peace Foundation to host an international workshop focused on blue economies.

It’s a united discussion on developing and implementing sustainable blue economies, gathering experts from Guam, Fiji, Tonga, Japan, Hawaii, and more into one room. 

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, headquartered in Japan, in collaboration with UOG's center, hosting a workshop to discuss strategies at the Hyatt Regency in Tumon this week. 

Dr. Austin Shelton, director of UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant–on ways guam could explore diversifying its economy, as the island’s economy has strong ties to tourism, military and government spending. 

“We live right next to the Marianas Trench–the deepest place in the entire ocean. We have the most diverse coral reefs in the United States–diverse species of reef fish… how can we think about our abundance and finding ways to sustain blue economies without necessarily exploiting our island–we don't want to do that. We want to make sure we’re cultivating new blue industries, new green industries," he said.

It’s a conversation important for the university to be a part of, according to UOG president Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez. “With the conversations that are taking place, the presentations, sharing some of the policies and promising practices regarding our blue economies, marine science, research policy, and so forth, we’re just very grateful for the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, in concert with the UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant team, for bringing together experts, scientists, and researchers from across Oceania," she said.

It’s a discussion that will continue, with the 15th Annual Conference on Island Sustainability next month and a Clean Pacific Roundtable on the horizon.