The US Vice President, Kamala Harris says at a time when we see bad actors seeking to undermine the rules-based order, we must stand united.
While speaking virtually to leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum, Harris says we must remind ourselves that upholding a system of laws, institutions, and common understandings will ensure stability and prosperity around the world.
Harris stresses that in this region and around the world, the United States believes it is important to strengthen the international rules-based order — to defend it, to promote it, and to build on it.
She says these international rules and norms have brought peace and stability to the Pacific for more than 75 years — principles that importantly state that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected; principles that allow all states, big and small, to conduct their affairs free from aggression or coercion.
Harris says they will continue to work with the Pacific, and all of their partners and allies, to craft new rules and norms for future frontiers grounded in our shared values of openness, transparency and fairness.
She says President Joe Biden and her, and their entire administration look forward to working with the Pacific as they chart their shared path together.
Harris also says we have historic bonds going back generations, and shared fights for freedom and for liberty.
She says we share deep ties between our people, and they are proud in the United States that there are 1.4 million people in the US that have Pacific Islander heritage, many of whom reside in her home state of California.
The Vice President says as a daughter of California, she knows firsthand the incredible contributions Pacific Islanders have made to their culture and country, and they celebrate them, as an integral part of the American story.
She further says the United States is a proud Pacific nation and has an enduring commitment to the Pacific Islands, which is why they seek to strengthen their partnership with the Pacific.
Harris also says they recognize that in recent years, the Pacific Islands may not have received the diplomatic attention and support that they deserve, so today she is in the meeting to tell the Pacific directly that they are going to change that.
USAID is taking steps to expand its footprint to include re-establishing a regional mission in Suva, the US will return Peace Corps volunteers to the Pacific region, the first-ever United States Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum will be appointed and the United States will also launch the process to establish two new embassies in the region: one in Tonga, one in Kiribati.
US Vice President, Kamala Harris made this announcement while speaking virtually in the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum.
She says all of the steps will enable them to increase US engagement, and develop and deliver concrete results.
Harris also announced that they plan to triple US funding for economic development and ocean resilience for the Pacific Islands.
The Vice President says they will request from the United States Congress an increase from US$21 million per year to US$60 million per year for the next 10 years.
She also says they do believe the South Pacific Tuna Treaty is a cornerstone of their political and economic cooperation, and they look forward to concluding negotiations.
Harris says both President Biden and her consider their relationship with the Pacific to be a true partnership and a friendship based on mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual benefit.
The US Vice President says they will engage transparently and constructively, which means they will listen, collaborate, and coordinate at every step of the way.
She says they will also work to empower a strong and united Pacific Islands Forum, which will strengthen the Pacific’s voice on the world stage as they continue to work together.
The US has also announced that they will will also better coordinate their efforts with allies and partners, and to that end, they recently launched the Partners in the Blue Pacific, which includes Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Harris says the Pacific people are on the frontlines, and the world’s emissions have an outsized impact on our nations.
She says the evidence is that sea levels are rising, the coral reefs that protect our islands and foster fisheries are bleaching, and ocean warming is accelerating.
The Vice President says this is why, as they work with the world to reduce emissions, they will continue to partner with the Pacific to build resilience, support adaptation, mobilize climate finance, and ensure sustainability of fisheries and marine resources.
They also intend to expand their overall economic relationship with the Pacific.
As part of that, the US will pursue infrastructure projects that are sustainable, high quality, climate friendly, and, do not result in insurmountable debt. Harris has assured the Pacific leaders that they will continue to stand with the Pacific to address the COVID-19 pandemic and work with them to prepare for the next one.
She says they will also continue their leadership combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, because they know that it devastates fisheries and coastal states like ours.
They also want to build on their existing work together with regard to food security, maritime security, education and disaster relief.
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