US President Joe Biden hosts the US-Pacific Island Country Summit with Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) at the State Department in Washington, DC. Photo: AFP/Oliver Contreras
The United States is preparing to commit a lot more aid to the Pacific.
As its first-ever summit with Pacific Island countries came to an end, it unveiled aid and development commitments of $US810 million.
In a media release, the US said this commitment includes a series of ambitious initiatives to meet Pacific priorities.
A significant part of it, the $US600 million Economic Assistance Agreement, will be spread over ten years and mostly go towards the South Pacific Tuna Treaty.
This treaty controls access for American trawlers into the waters of the Pacific nations.
Washington, which has already committed to open new embassies in Tonga, Kiribati and Solomon Islands, will also grant sovereign status to New Zealand realm countries, Niue and the Cook Islands.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd right) shakes hands with Federated of States Micronesia President David Panuelo during a meeting as Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr, left, and Marshall Islands' President David Kabua (R) watch at the State Department in Washington. Photo: AFP/Sarah Silbiger
There will be $US130 million to try to counter climate change and a commitment to finding another $US400 million for this purpose from private investors.
The United States said it will continue to play a leading role in accelerating global efforts to combat the climate crisis, recognising the existential threats it presents to the Pacific.
It will appoint an envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum, increase the presence of the federal aid agency, USAID, return the Peace Corps to the region, and promises to complete the compacts it's negotiating with the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia by next year.
Executive training is also to be provided for rising Pacific leaders.