Fisheries, health and an embassy for Vanuatu feature in U.S.-Pacific talks
The White House says a high-level U.S. delegation visit to Pacific Island nations this month was a demonstration of its commitment towards a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific. The visits came amid concerns over
CNMI, American Samoa criticise Pacific Remote Islands expansion plan
U.S. President Joe Biden’s plan to expand the Pacific Remote Islands’ marine sanctuary has been receiving negative responses from territorial leaders, who criticised the lack of consultation prior to the
U.S. envoy slams disinformation over Solomons ‘plot’
A White House envoy on Tuesday decried “disinformation and smears” about the United States’ motives in the Solomon Islands, after his meeting with the country’s pro-China leader was overshadowed by
Senior U.S. official underscores Solomons-China concerns
A senior White House official on Sunday underlined U.S. concerns about China’s close ties with the Solomon Islands as he began a weeklong tour of Pacific island countries. Kurt Campbell, the U.S. National Security
Compact impact aid expiring this year but discussion remains in the air
Washington has completed its negotiations with the freely associated states, pledging the renewal of U.S. economic provisions under the Compacts of Free Association. Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the
American legal expert: Marshall Islands voters must approve Compact
In what amounts to a bombshell legal opinion, one of the top American constitutional law experts who also was the legal advisor to the Marshall Islands constitutional convention that wrote the nation’s constitution in
Can Washington fund its Pacific pledges?
“We have not been sufficiently engaged at a critical time in the Pacific islands. Not only do the Pacific islands face existential threats like climate change and economic dislocation, but clearly they’re being
Seven reasons to get excited about HSBC Los Angeles Sevens
The men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 will reach its halfway point during the HSBC Los Angeles Sevens this weekend. Following five of 11 tournaments, New Zealand lead the standings on 85 points, nine points
U.S. Coast Guard moving cutter to Pacific as regional missions expand
Driven by greater demand for its partnerships and presence in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. Coast Guard is growing its operational presence in the vast region that’s unsettled by continuing incursions from
Pacific Island leaders expect Biden visit in near future
The leaders of five Pacific island nations said on Tuesday that U.S. President Joe Biden would soon visit their region for a leaders’ summit, in what experts said would be a significant move in U.S. efforts to push
Biden administration to reduce financial burden on U.S territories
The Biden administration has announced new efforts to reduce the financial burden on the U.S territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and U.S Virgin Islands. The U.S.
Looking at Palau’s approach to the compact negotiation
In September 2021, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr told world leaders at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly that the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the United States has led to
U.S. opens embassy in Solomon Islands
The United States has opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands after a 30-year absence as it seeks to boost diplomatic relations in the Pacific as a counter to China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced plans to
FSM president negotiates US$7 billion assistance for next 20 years
A month before national elections in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), President David W. Panuelo has visited Washington to lobby and secure top-line funding support for the FSM under the Compact of Free
Opinion: Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership abrogates established order
The United States signed the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership with fourteen Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in Washington on 29 September 2022. Of the sixteen PICs, members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF),
U.S., Japan back Australia’s Digicel Pacific purchase
The U.S. and Japan have announced they will back the Australian government’s unprecedented move to fund Telstra’s purchase of the Pacific’s largest telco, stumping up around $150 million (US$100
U.S. asked not to ‘micromanage’ FSM
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has called on the United States to let the Pacific nation manage its own financial responsibilities under the Compact of Free Association, noting that the funds provided by the
U.S. urges Pacific islands to set example on methane emissions
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry urged Pacific island states last week to join global efforts to cut methane emissions in hopes it would sway major emitters China and India to follow suit. Speaking at the UN’s COP27
America’s Catch-Up Summit
Spooked by China’s influence in the Pacific Islands, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted an unprecedented summit at the White House for leaders from the Pacific Islands Forum on 28-29 September. It was the culmination of
U.S. warns China: Attack on Guam ‘will be met with appropriate response’
Declaring China as the United States’ “most consequential strategic competitor” in the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon warned the communist regime of the consequences should it launch any aggression on Guam.
Marshall Islands to receive UN support over nuclear legacy
The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution Friday aimed at assisting the Marshall Islands in its efforts to secure justice for people suffering from the impact of the United States’ former nuclear testing
Biden Administration vows to renew Compacts with Palau, FSM and RMI
The Biden administration has committed to renewing the Compacts of Free Association, with Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. The promise of renewal of the partnership agreements from the United
Marshall Islands takes U.S nuclear legacy to Human Rights Council
Health and environmental problems linger on decades after the United States detonated 67 nuclear bombs in the Marshall Islands. It will be the second environment-related initiative that the small island country