Landau embarks on a 10-day trip to Pacific island nations

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is heading a three-member delegation on a 10-day trip to the Pacific island region, aimed at strengthening Washington's ties with island nations.

Landau will participate in the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leadership Meeting in Palau, where leaders from the region gather this week to tackle key issues affecting island nations.

The Pacific tour from Aug. 31 to Sept. 11 also includes the Federated States of Micronesia, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, according to a statement from the State Department.

At the Forum meeting, Landau will be accompanied by Lt. Gen. George Rowell, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and Bill Hague, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

"The Pacific region remains an enduring foreign policy priority for the United States. The United States has deep and long-standing ties to the countries in the Pacific, who are not only our neighbors but also our friends," the Office of the Spokesperson said. "The United States is committed to engaging our Pacific island partners to preserve an open, secure, and prosperous Pacific region."

In FSM and the Solomon Islands, Landau will meet with government representatives and business leaders to discuss economic and security priorities.

In Kiribati, he will attend the Kiribati Development Partners Forum and meet with government representatives.

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday will join Landau

in Palau, the FSM and the Solomon Islands "in recognition of the Coast Guard's key role in advancing regional maritime security."

Subscribe to

our digital

monthly issue