A new age of collaboration between the United States and Pacific island countries has begun, with both parties pledging to work together to maintain a peaceful region where "democracy is permitted to flourish" and to make climate change their "top priority."
The unprecedented two-day summit in Washington, DC, which took place five months after a security agreement between the Solomon Islands and China raised concerns about Beijing's expanding influence in the region, concluded with the signing of the Declaration on US-Pacific Partnership by 14 Pacific island nations.After the summit, US Vice President Joe Biden posted on Twitter, "We honored the history and values that our nations share and increased our cooperation on crucial areas that will benefit our people for years to come."
The US promised to strengthen ties with the Pacific Islands Forum, and the 11-point declaration contained commitments to economic and infrastructure development, regional cooperation, maritime security, and "the sustainable use of the Pacific Ocean based on the rule of law."
An express commitment to combating climate change was of particular significance to the Pacific Islands, which run the risk of being flooded by increasing seas.The climate catastrophe is the single greatest existential threat to the livelihoods, security, traditional and customary practices, and wellness of people in the Pacific area, the declaration stated. "We take the climate crisis as the highest priority of our collaboration," it added.
Manasseh Sogavare, the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, who had been previously reported as not intending to sign, was among the leaders and officials who endorsed the proclamation. The list did not include Kiribati, a nation of 115,000 people that did not send a representative. Two Pacific nations, including the Solomon Islands, changed their diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing in 2019. This was one of them.
As Beijing becomes more engaged in the region, the US is courting the Pacific island nations. The fact that Beijing was unable to reach a regional security pact has alarmed some leaders, but they are also concerned that they could become embroiled in the escalating conflict between the two superpowers.In addition to the more than $1.5 billion provided over the previous ten years, the US stated it will invest an additional more than $810 million in expanded programs to aid the islands as world leaders convened in Washington, DC.
The US's fresh generosity, which has been praised for not doing more for the area, was largely welcomed.Robert Bohn, a former lawmaker in Vanuatu and advisor to the foreign minister, told Al Jazeera that "it is true that the USA is a little late." "Having said that, it's never too late to get financial aid. Infrastructure is what we most need. We have friends in Australia and New Zealand, but they have been focusing on the softer aspects of politics. Infrastructure for highways, airports, and ships is required.
The proclamation also addressed US nuclear tests conducted in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958, stating that Washington will address the islanders' concerns over the environment and public health.The Marshall Islands this week put a halt to discussions with the US about the Compact of Free Association Agreement, the strategic alliance between the two nations.
The declaration stated that although World War II was over over 80 years ago, its scars were still visible in the Pacific. "We recognize the Cold War's nuclear legacy, too."
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