Congressman Ed Case (D-HI) and Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA), Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Congresswoman Amua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), re-introduced their  BLUE Pacific, Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The BLUE Pacific Act, first introduced in July 2020 during the 116th Congress, and reintroduced in 117th Congress, lays out a renewed vision and framework for U.S. foreign policy in the Pacific Islands over the coming generation.

Specifically, the BLUE Pacific Act pursues a comprehensive, long-term U.S. strategy in the Pacific Islands region that:

1. Expands U.S. diplomatic and development presence in the Pacific Islands;

2. Increases U.S. security cooperation and assistance to address regional maritime security, transnational crime and law enforcement issues, including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing.

3. Deepens and diversifies bilateral and multilateral trade between the U.S. and the region and invests in trade capacity building programs for the region.

4. Supports regional economic and social development in areas of public health, education, infrastructure, climate change resilience and adaptation, and more.

5. Builds on existing regional institutions and frameworks, including efforts of likeminded allies and partners of the United States.

6. Promotes shared values like press freedom and gender equality.

7. Strengthens people-to-people relationships and civil society.

The updated bill also reflects the Pacific Island Forum‘s 2022 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and requires continued support for and quadrennial updates to the Pacific Partnership Strategy, released at the 2022 U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit in Washington, D.C.

Japan will host the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) in 2024, bringing together the leaders of Pacific island countries.

 

AP Photo