Deputy Secretary Landau’s Engagements with Pacific Island Leaders in Port Moresby

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau traveled to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Monday and Tuesday to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s 50th Anniversary of Independence and 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with the United States, and to meet with Pacific Islands leaders. The Deputy Secretary underscored the deep ties between the United States and the Pacific Islands region, as well as our shared economic and security priorities. During a series of meetings with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley Simina, Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, Crown Prince of Tonga Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, and other Pacific Islands Forum leaders, the Deputy Secretary discussed ideas to expand cooperation with the United States on economic and security matters including attracting U.S. private sector investment and countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, building on the longstanding partnership under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty.

Deputy Secretary Landau highlighted new initiatives with partners in the region, including the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s selections of Fiji as eligible for a compact program and Tonga as eligible for a threshold program. Additionally, the Deputy Secretary announced expanded cooperation for digital connectivity, including undersea cables and terrestrial infrastructure, as well as infrastructure development through $5 million in new funding for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to accelerate projects in key sectors in the Pacific. He also announced new programs and research to support responsible critical mineral development and deep seabed exploration.