United States President Joe Biden is preparing to establish diplomatic relations with two South Pacific nations, the Cook Islands and Niue, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening American presence in the region.
The announcement, slated for Monday, coincides with Biden’s forthcoming hosting of leaders in Washington for a two-day US-Pacific Island Forum Summit, expected to place a significant emphasis on addressing the impacts of climate change.
Biden has placed a high priority on enhancing ties in the Pacific, particularly amid growing US concerns about China’s expanding military and economic influence in the region. Two senior administration officials, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity, confirmed plans for this diplomatic initiative.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that during the summit, Biden aims to bolster “relationships with the Pacific Islands and engage in discussions about tackling complex global challenges. These include addressing the existential threat of climate change, advancing economic growth, and promoting sustainable development.”
The visiting leaders were scheduled to be honored on Sunday (early Monday AEST) at a Baltimore Ravens American football game and to visit a Coast Guard cutter in Baltimore Harbor. During this visit, they would receive a briefing from the US Coast Guard’s commandant on combating illegal fishing and other maritime issues.
Pacific Island leaders have criticized wealthier nations for not doing enough to combat climate change, despite being significant contributors to the problem. They’ve also voiced concerns about profiteering from loans provided to vulnerable nations to mitigate its effects. Last year, the White House unveiled its Pacific strategy, outlining its plan to assist the region’s leaders on pressing issues like climate change, maritime security, and overfishing prevention.
The administration pledged to provide an additional $810 million ($1.26 billion) in new aid for Pacific Island nations over the next decade, including $130 million ($481 million) earmarked for climate change mitigation efforts.
The forum includes Australia, the Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Biden is scheduled to welcome the leaders to the White House on Monday (late Monday AEST) morning for discussions and a working lunch. Additionally, they will meet with John Kerry, Biden’s special envoy on climate, for climate-focused talks. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield will host the leaders for a dinner at the State Department.
Kerry and Samantha Power, administrator of the US Agency for International Development, will convene climate discussions with philanthropic community members on Tuesday. The leaders also plan to meet with members of Congress.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will host a roundtable discussion with the leaders and business community members. Last month, Power traveled to Fiji to inaugurate a new USAID mission overseeing agency programs in nine Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.
This year, the US has opened embassies in Solomon Islands and Tonga, and it is on track to open an embassy in Vanuatu early next year.
While most members of the 18-member forum are sending their top elected officials or foreign ministers to the summit, the administration expressed disappointment that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who attended last week’s UN General Assembly in New York, opted not to stay for the White House summit. The Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China last year.
Prime Minister Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu of Vanuatu is also expected to miss the summit. He was elected to replace Ishmael Kalsakau, who lost a no-confidence vote in parliament earlier this month.
Earlier this year, Biden had to curtail a planned visit to the Indo-Pacific, canceling a historic stop in Papua New Guinea and a visit to Australia for a gathering with fellow Quad partnership leaders. This change in plans was due to his need to focus on debt limit negotiations in Washington. The visit would have made him the first sitting US president to visit Papua New Guinea.
Biden is now gearing up for a state visit to Australia next month.
