09/13/2024 Newsletter

Happenings in Congress

• As part of a slate of bills during “China Week,” the U.S. House of Representatives passed Pacific Islands Caucus Co-Chair Ed Case’s Pacific Partnership Act. This bipartisan bill would require the President to develop a Strategy for Pacific Partnership, extend diplomatic courtesies to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and codify the Partners in the Blue Pacific Initiative.
• Pacific Islands Caucus Co-Chair, Aumua Amata Radewagen, chaired a House Natural Resources Indian and Insular AƯairs Subcommittee hearing on the implementation of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) agreements. The hearing found that the administration still has certain steps to take in implementing the COFA agreements.
• On August 19, four members of the Pacific Islands Caucus sent a letter to the U.S. State Department in support of additional funding for the PIF's Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF). Shortly after, on August 27 the White House announced an additional $20 million for the PRF.

In the News

• Guam, American Samoa Upgraded to Associate Membership in PIF. Last month, in Tonga, during the 53rd PIF leaders meeting, U.S. territories Guam and American Samoa were upgraded to Associate Members of the PIF. This will allow Guam and American Samoa to sit at the table in future meetings of the PIF.
• Pacific Islands back Australian-funded regional policing plan. Pacific Island leaders have backed an Australian plan to improve police training in the region in a bid to block China from expanding its security role in the region. The initiative will create a multinational policing force that can be deployed to countries in the region in the event of major incidents or crises.
• PIF communique taken down after Chinese envoy calls Taiwan reference “unacceptable." Chinese diplomat, Qian Bo, was "visibly angry" at the PIF last month after Taiwan was listed as a “development partner” of the PIF.
• Six months on, key measures languish in Pacific Islands pact with US. Certain parts of the COFA agreements have yet to be enacted by the Biden administration, including the establishment of a new oƯice in the State Department dedicated to diplomacy with the three countries.
• Australia sends expert teams to Fiji as Chinese state-backed hackers attack the PIF. Australia has sent experts to Fiji this year after the PIF's networks were infiltrated by Chinese state backed hackers.
• Climate change leaves future of Pacific Islands tourism “highly uncertain." Pacific Island leaders are growing increasingly anxious over climate change and the risk it poses to the tourism industry that many Pacific Island countries rely on.
• More than 200 unexploded Second World War shells found near Solomon Islands school. The rust-caked projectiles – which once belonged to US troops – have been dug up and removed after they were found near a school staƯ member’s house.
• Kiingi Tuheita: World leaders react to death of Māori king. Maori King Tuheita died last month at the age of 69. Condolences from world leaders have poured in mourning his passing.

Pacific Voices

• On our playlist this week: Puni – O O’u Alofa Na ft. Melody Lale Peteru
• On our watch list this week: The new Māori monarch: Kuini Nga wai hono i te Po
• Pacific voices: Le Lumana’i: Fa’afafine identity and breaking down barriers