US pledges $150M aid package to Pacific islands
- Admin
- 15 minutes ago
- 2 min read
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
The U.S. government has pledged more than $150 million for infrastructure upgrades, energy needs and maritime security in the Pacific islands as part of Washington's bid to strengthen its strategic relations with the region.
Christopher Landau, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of State, announced the new U.S.-funded projects and investments during the partners dialogue held Sept. 1 on the sidelines of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leadership Meeting in Koror.
The funding package includes a $60 million energy security initiative to help Pacific island countries mitigate the impact of the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by the U.S.-Iran war. The initiative includes expanding the islands' fuel storage capacity and supporting grid stability.
The State Department also plans to provide $17 million to crack down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Pacific islands by deploying new surveillance technologies and sponsoring training programs on regulatory enforcement.
The fresh assistance package aims to deliver "economic prosperity and security for Americans and Pacific Islanders," the State Department's Office of the Spokesperson said in a statement. "When the Pacific islands are stable, secure and prosperous, the United States is, too."
Landau led the U.S. interagency delegation to the Forum's leadership meeting themed "Building Economies: Life, Action, Unity: BELAU."
He said Washington's continued engagement with the Forum "reflects the importance we place on the Pacific islands as a vital part of the Indo-Pacific region."
"The United States respects the sovereignty of Pacific nations," the U.S. Embassy in Koror said on its social media post. "We work side-by-side with Pacific communities to find solutions that are locally driven and bring security and prosperity to our peoples."
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Among other proposed projects are as follows:
Tonga: A feasibility study to upgrade port facilities, fuel storage capacity, pipeline infrastructure and market-oriented regulatory practices; and a separate feasibility study to modernize national data center and network, enabling secure, resilient hosting for government systems and public services.
Palau: A new hospital that the U.S. will co-finance with Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan. A comprehensive drinking water sampling project on the island’s drinking water sources and wells and for Palau drinking water operators and environmental lab regulatory staff on proper sampling and logistical techniques.
Cook Islands: Penrhyn port upgrade in collaboration with New Zealand.
Marshall Islands: Modernization projects for Majuro and Ebeye ports and the Amata Kabua International Airport's airfield and terminal facilities. Technical assistance to support the modernization of the nationwide mobile network.
Seabed mapping, exploration and characterization to guide Pacific island governments' decision-making on potential seabed minerals development within national jurisdiction and related national regulatory frameworks.
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