U.S Congress Delegation Tours the Blue Pacific Region — but Why?
A recent delegation comprising of six (6) US Congress members and UN Foundation representatives toured the Blue Pacific region with a twofold purpose: to fortify partnerships and address critical issues such as climate change and economic empowerment. Under the leadership of Congressman Ami Bera, the delegation participated in high-level discussions during their visit to Fiji, Tuvalu and Tonga, emphasizing collaboration and mutual support in tackling regional challenges.
The visit of the 30-person delegation precedes several key events in the Blue Pacific region, including the 2024 Festival of Pacific Culture and Arts in Honolulu, Hawaii, the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, and the Small Islands Developing States Summit in Bangkok in May. An honest assessment of this Blue Pacific excursion emphasizes the priority advancement of both the Blue Pacific Strategy, initially outlined and endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum leaders in 2022 and the U.S Pacific Partnership Strategy championed by the White House under the Biden-Harris administration.
While in Fiji, the Delegation visited the Pacific Islands Forum Deputy Secretary General, Esala Nayasi, to learn more about the Pacific Islands Forum, and to explain the close partnership between the UN and PIF, which supports sustainable development of the region.
In Tonga, the itinerary encompassed visits to notable locations such as the newly established US Embassy Office in Nuku'alofa and the resilient community of 'Atata Si'i, Tonga. Through engagements with local stakeholders, including schools and healthcare facilities, the delegates reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Tonga and observed ongoing efforts to rebuild after natural disasters.
During their time in Tuvalu, the Delegation was met by Tuvalu's Ministry of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment to tour to tour the UNDP Pacific-supported Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project.
In a tweet, Congressman Ed Case (Hawaii-D1) shared his leadership in the delegation, highlighting their dialogues with government and community leaders across Fiji, Tuvalu, and Tonga.
Congressman Ed Case with youth in Tonga during Blue Pacific tour.
This U.S Congress visit to the Blue Pacific region prompts reflection on the role of the US Congress in advancing Blue Pacific interests and the strategic timing of such engagements.
The main curiosity among the sea of questions is — where and how does the Pacific-American diaspora exercise it’s civic duty and cultural responsibility to educate and inform our U.S leaders on matters of our islands? With the Smith-Mundt Act now allowing the US to involve the American public in discussions of foreign affairs, our right and responsibility to support these conversations are critical to the sustaining of relationships between the two places we call home.
Our leaders are reflections of us Pacific Islanders in America, and just as we are taught in our home — we reflect, to the highest degree, our home. It is on us to ensure our Pacific Islands culture, history and language are honored and preserved in engagements with the Western world.
