The Guam Legislature on Thursday moved Resolution 83-38 LS—recognizing the United Nations’ declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives—into the third-reading file by unanimous consent.

The resolution urges a governmentwide approach to implement Public Law 37-147 (the Limited Cooperative Association Act), including education and outreach through the University of Guam and the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA), staff training at the Department of Revenue and Taxation, and regional cooperative working groups with CNMI, FSM and Palau.

Sponsor remarks cited testimony from farmers and community groups, including Guahan Sustainable Culture’s Michelle Crisostomo, who highlighted cooperatives’ role in aggregating production and improving market access for small-scale producers, and a Micronesian Climate Change Alliance witness (Maneka de Oro) who offered a Sri Lanka case study of cooperatives supporting livelihoods after crisis.

Supporters said cooperatives can boost local food systems, create resilient jobs, and provide ownership pathways for small businesses. The resolution was placed in the third-reading file without objection and will be scheduled for final action.