US Vice President Kamala Harris will participate virtually to the annual leaders’ meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum, taking place in Suva, Fiji this week.
Attended by Heads of Government for all Pacific Island Forum members including Samoa’s Prime Minister Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa, the US Vice President will underscore the commitment of the United States to the Pacific Islands region.
According to an official statement, Vice President Harris will discuss opportunities to deepen U.S. engagement in the region and areas to deliver concrete results for the people of the Pacific.
“The Vice President will celebrate the longstanding bonds between the United States and the Pacific Islands and will outline our ongoing work to strengthen them,” reads a press release.
“This engagement builds on President Biden’s remarks to the Pacific Islands Forum meeting last year and Secretary Blinken’s trip to Fiji earlier this year.”
Attending the Forum meetings in Suva will be Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Monica Medina.
Assistant Secretary Medina will meet with regional leaders and hopes to discuss plastic pollution; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; climate change; and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“She will also meet officials from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency to discuss the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, including how to best support the Pacific Islands region as it continues to sustainably manage its fisheries resources”.
(10)
