US announces $810mn in funding for Pacific Islands to snub China's overreach

In an effort to counter its rival China's growing regional influence and military might, United States on Thursday formally committed to implementing Declaration on US-Pacific Partnership, a forward-looking vision statement that reflected two sides' shared interest to expand and deepen regional cooperation.

Biden ministration launched a new diplomatic initiative — Pacific Partnership Strategy—pledging an estimated $810 million in new funding for Pacific Island countries to tackle various issues including climate change, defence, maritime security, and economic development in an attempt to snub Beijing's overreach. 

Washington, earlier this year, h formally declared at least seven commitments to Pacific Islands Forum leers— four of initiatives were fundamentally aid programs, and two were aimed at expanding United States' diplomatic presence in region. One of commitments involves including Pacific Islands in Indo-Pacific strategy of United States.

vulnerable Pacific Island nations have been offered significant tre and investment deals by United States' longtime versary China, and Biden ministration has rejuvenated its geopolitical interests in region to stricture its rival's expansionist agendas. 

US to declare Pacific islands of Cook and Niue as 'sovereign states'

At  first-ever United States-Pacific Island Country Summit hosted Sep 29, Biden-Harris ministration announced scores of initiatives, including ded funding under $1.5 billion to support Pacific Islands countries and over $810 million in ditional expanded programs. It also declared that US will recognize New Zealand realm Cook Islands and Niue as “sovereign states” in a historic move  “following appropriate consultations”. 

It is to be noted that two self-governing Pacific Islands, over last several years, have established strong independent diplomatic relations with China. While geopolitical experts called announcement a “surprising element” of US Pacific romap, one cannot overlook fact that official recognition of  two islands will open m to US funding and initiatives, and refore, will subsequently give Biden ministration access into those territories' affairs.  US touted new commitments for Pacific as a “milestone” in a region that it h long-neglected before China entered as a key player with its rebuilding efforts. 

Economic Assistance Agreement associated with South Pacific Tuna Treaty

Washington also pledged to combat  climate crisis in Pacific Island, launching a new Tre and Investment Dialogue; providing development assistance; enhancing maritime security; expanding educational opportunities; enhancing security, health, and digital capacity; and dressing painful legacies of war. initiatives also include a 10-year $600 million Economic Assistance Agreement which was associated with South Pacific Tuna Treaty.

 Multilateral Fisheries Treaty was signed between United States and 16 Pacific Island countries in 1987 for up to an initial period of 5 years. It was n extended twice; most recently in 2003 through 2013. It is to be noted that treaty lays operational terms and conditions for US tuna purse seine fleet to fish in vast area of  Central and Western Pacific Ocean which also includes waters that fall under jurisdiction of Pacific Island countries.

"This assistance will support fisheries economic development, collaboration on climate resilience, blue economy and maritime security," said Biden ministration, ding that it has alrey committed $10 million to support broer cooperation under treaty. 

US also launched  Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment in Pacific Island region, as well as committed $5 million in funding to establish a fellowship program in partnership with University of South Pacific and premier Pacific universities in United States.

Biden ministration also announced that it will conclude negotiations on Compact of Free Association (COFA) with Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau by end of 2022. three pacific Island nations are collectively known as Freely Associated States (FAS).  US President Joe Biden h appointed Ambassor Joseph Yun as Special Presidential Envoy for Compact Negotiations in March. "Through se negotiations, we will strengn our enduring partnerships with our close Pacific Island partners and ensure a free and open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," US State Department h clarified n, without divulging critical details. 

US plans to d India, Germany & ors to Partners in Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative

US' Pacific Island strategy "is an dendum to Indo-Pacific Strategy of United States and will align with Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for Blue Pacific Continent," White House declared. 

At 51st Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Fiji held in July 2022, leers welcomed and endorsed 2050 Strategy for Blue Pacific Continent, as overarching blueprint to vance Pacific regionalism for next three deces, articulating region’s long-term vision, values, and key matic areas and strategic pathways and ways to cooperate to achieve those visions. 

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will also open a Pacific regional mission in Suva, Fiji by September 2023, and elevate its presence in Papua New Guinea through a country representative office. US plans to d Cana, Germany, France, European Union, Republic of Korea, and India to  Partners in Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative launched this year. Currently, members are United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and United Kingdom (UK).