Republic of the Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine will deliver the keynote address Friday at the University of Guam's Conference on Island Sustainability, bringing a message that blends traditional knowledge with modern innovation to deal with the existential threat of climate change facing Pacific islands, according to a release from the university.
As the first female leader of any sovereign nation in Micronesia and now serving her second term as president, Heine has become a prominent voice on climate change, sustainable development, and cultural preservation on the global stage.
In the release, Heine stated, "Like most of our sister nations in the Pacific, we expect research, knowledge and understanding on how to address the pressing issues of climate change so that we can continue to call these islands our home – not in the nostalgic sense of a displaced person, but as a people actively developing and living in the country."
The Marshall Islands faces immediate threats from rising sea levels that could ultimately render the low-lying nation uninhabitable. Under Heine's leadership, the country has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and pioneered innovative approaches to sustainability.
One significant innovation has been the revival of traditional canoe building knowledge, integrating it with modern maritime needs.
The Guam Daily Post reached out to Heine before her keynote address at the conference.
"We're working with indigenous knowledge of traditional canoe building, to bring that heritage back to the fore and use the canoes, which are entirely wind-powered and use eco-friendly materials, for transport between islands," Heine said. “There’s also a training component - the local (nongovernmental organization), Waan Aeon in Majel, provides training in canoe building skills so they can expand it throughout our islands.”
“For longer journeys and where there are larger cargo needs, our government worked with the German International Development Cooperation, which worked with us to develop a prototype low emission vessel, called the Juren Ae,” said Heine. “It's powered by a combination of wind-assisted propulsion, fuel-efficient engines, and solar. It's really an innovative option that we think fills an important gap in the market, particularly for (Small Island Developing States).”
According to Heine, the Marshall Islands have also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from domestic shipping by 40% below 2010 levels by 2030 as part of the island nation’s transition plan.
As a founding member of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and leader in the High Ambition Coalition, Heine has leveraged her country's precarious position to build international partnerships and advocate for stronger global climate action.
"We have used our reality to bring together countries and demonstrate that there are more of us out there that want to see progress and save our planet than those that don't," Heine said. "We draw on truth and the spirit of collaboration to make diplomatic outcomes that seem impossible, possible."
Heine's administration has also placed emphasis on gender equity in climate solutions. The Outer Islands Solar Training for Women program, supported by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, has given 50 women skills to participate in the renewable energy transition.
"We know that women and girls are affected differently by the climate crisis, and we've tried to make sure our policies really reflect that," she said. "We need to ensure that women have equal access to decision-making, to education, and to job opportunities that arise as we make the transition to clean energy."
Despite these innovative approaches, Heine identifies a significant obstacle to progress: "The single biggest challenge we face is the lack of urgency." This manifests in slow global decarbonization efforts and delays in climate finance disbursement, which she describes as "really dangerous for a country like ours."
To address these challenges, the Marshall Islands have created the Marshall Islands Resilience and Adaptation Trust Fund, designed as a "one-stop-shop" for donors interested in supporting climate adaptation efforts.
Austin Shelton, director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, emphasized the significance of Heine's participation at CIS2025.
"President Heine is a trailblazer and an inspiration for islanders and our allies everywhere. Her leadership in government and academia, along with her dedication to protect her people and island, will bring a keynote perspective that will resonate with all who have the opportunity to hear her," Shelton said.
The conference, co-chaired by UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez and Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, runs from April 7 to 12 at the Hyatt Regency Guam. Heine will deliver her keynote remarks on Friday, maintaining the conference theme "Solutions for Our Future."
Looking ahead, Heine advocates for stronger regional cooperation among Micronesian nations.
"Close collaboration between Micronesians is absolutely vital. We share many of the same gifts - and the same vulnerabilities," she said. "When we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, bring our voices together, and gather our collective wisdom, we can increase our impact exponentially."