01/31/2025 Newsletter

Happenings in Congress

• Pacific Islands Caucus Co-Chair Radewagen released a statement sounding a note of caution to Pacific Islands nations that sign agreements with China for economic interests following Independent Samoa’s recent economic agreement with the People’s Republic of China.
• Pacific Islands Caucus Co-Chair Case re-introduced the bi-partisan BLUE Pacific Act for the 119th Congress. The BLUE Pacific Act advances a comprehensive, long-term U.S. strategy in the Pacific Islands. It reflects the Pacific Island Forum’s 2022 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent

In the News

• Tonga's newly appointed Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, is set to assume the leadership position as the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. Tonga will serve as the host for the Pacific Resilience Facility, which is both Pacific-led and Pacific-owned. This essential initiative aims to offer financial support for projects focused on adaptation of climate change, disaster preparedness, and enhancing community resilience throughout the Pacific Island nations.
• Saipan Tribune 2024 Person of the Year: Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan. The inaugural representative of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the U.S. House of Representatives has completed 16 years in office, having been reelected seven times. Notable among his accomplishments is the successful acquisition of essential federal resources for the Commonwealth through relief legislation following the devastating super typhoons Soudelor and Yutu in 2016 and 2018, as well as during the various COVID-19 pandemic relief bills passed in 2020. This significant impact led Saipan Tribune to honor him as the 2024 Person of the Year.
• New Caledonia: It’s time to support those who care for the Pacific Ocean. In response to the increasing challenges and threats, Pacific Islanders are taking proactive measures rather than waiting for global intervention. Commonly identified as “small island developing states,” we identify ourselves as “large ocean states.” We are custodians of half of the world's oceans and have a profound commitment to our marine ecosystems, which are integral to our way of life.
• Online education to improve learning and assist schools in dealing with earthquake issues. Vanuatu's educational institutions are embracing the digital era through a significant online initiative launched by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET). The MoET is dedicated to assisting schools and ensuring that students experience continuous education, irrespective of external obstacles. This training represents a crucial advancement in equipping schools to adjust to contemporary teaching practices and to sustain their resilience in the face of unforeseen interruptions.
• Solomon Islands prepares for the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting. This week, the PACER Plus Implementation Unit is in Honiara to start planning for PLMAM 2025 together with the Government of the Solomon Islands. These discussions will focus on the dates and important topics for PLMAM 2025, as well as ways the forum can enhance regional labor mobility cooperation.

Pacific Voices

• On our playlist this week: Justin Wellington – Iko Iko (My Bestie)
• On our reading list this week: This is Paradise by Kristiana Kahakauwila