U.S. pledges US$810 million to the Pacific in historic Washington summit

The United States and Pacific leaders have reached a nine-point Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership as Washington hosts its first summit with leaders from Pacific Island nations.

Fijian Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama is leading the Pacific delegation as he is the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. While giving his address during this historic summit, U.S. President Joe Biden announced more than US$810 million in expanded programs to aid the Pacific Islands as the historic summit entered its second day.

According to Voice of America, a senior administration official says the U.S. has provided upward of US$1.5 billion to support the Pacific Islands over the past decade.

Biden says security of America and the world depends on security of the Pacific islands.

The U.S. also pledged to recognize the Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign states, following appropriate consultations.

While both Cook Islands and Niue have full constitutional independence from New Zealand and act as independent countries, the U.S. considered them as self-governing territories and has not established formal diplomatic relations.

Biden will appoint a first-ever U.S. envoy to the regional Pacific Islands Forum.

USAID will reestablish its mission in Suva by September 2023.

He adds that new U.S. assistance is aimed at ensuring an Indo Pacific region that's free and open, one that is stable and prosperous, and resilient and secure.

Among the new initiatives listed in the U.S.-Pacific Partnership deal, the U.S. will invest US$20 million to boost the Solomon Islands’ tourism and to reduce poverty in the island country.

Under the new agreement, the U.S. will launch a new trade and investment dialogue with the Pacific Island nations, enhance maritime security, and provide up to $3.5 million over five years to improve the region’s internet connectivity and to support cyber security.

Biden also made it clear that the U.S. will never recognize Russia’s claim on Ukraine.

Biden says he is looking forward to hearing from all the Pacific leaders and he is looking forward to hosting the leaders at the Whitehouse tonight for dinner.

READ: Pacific Partnership Strategy of the United States

[Source: voa]