Northern Marianas Gov. Benigno Fitial, Guam Gov. Felix Camacho and Palau President Tommy Remengesau kicked off the three-day Western Micronesian Chief Executives Summit by emphasizing the importance of the private sector's help to solve problems facing the environment, energy, tourism and transportation.

"We gather ... to focus on the theme of developing regional self-sufficiency and prosperity," Fitial said at the summit in Saipan.

Remengesau said that Palau has tapped the help of private shipping company Matson to help solve the island-nation's growing problem with recyclable solid waste matters.

Fitial also emphasized the islands' need to keep control of its labor and immigration system amid the U.S. congressional's push for a federal takeover.

"I am sure all of us have heard of that old saying about self-sufficiency. It goes something like this: 'Give a man a fish, and you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him and his family for a lifetime.' "

He said those tools include local control of immigration and minimum wages, which would grant the islands' access to investment capital and labor force.