U.S deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau used the U.S–Pacific Islands Business Forum in New York to push stronger trade and investment links while confirming fresh funding for Pacific fisheries.
“Following through on U.S commitments, the United States, working with Congress, will soon provide the second US$60 million payment to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency as part of a 10-year Economic Assistance Agreement associated with the South Pacific Tuna Treaty,” Landau spokesperson said in a statement.
“This allows U.S-flagged vessels to fish in the exclusive economic zones of 16 PICs, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually in gross revenue for the U.S economy.”
The forum, hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding on the margins of the UN General Assembly, brought together Pacific Islands Forum members, U.S officials, and business leaders from infrastructure, energy, agriculture, technology, and defence sectors.
Landau highlighted opportunities from recent U.S initiatives, pointing to the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s decision to select Fiji for a compact programme and Tonga for a threshold programme.
He also shared takeaways from recent visits to Papua New Guinea, Palau, and the Marshall Islands.
Pacific leaders added their voices to the discussions. Remarks came from President Surangel Whipps Jr of Palau, Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea, Nat Adams of Newmont Corporation, and Mike Lubin of Viasat.
Forum participants stressed the importance of deepening U.S commercial partnerships, advancing public-private cooperation, and tackling regional challenges to unlock economic growth.
The event was hosted in partnership with Newmont Corporation, Viasat, and Atlas Air.
