Governor Lemanu attended the second Pacific Islands Forum Summit at the White House, hosted by President Biden. KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
President Biden opened the two-day Summit and reaffirmed key goals shared by Governor Lemanu and other island leaders—tackling the climate crisis, boosting economic growth, countering illegal, unreported fishing, and expanding people-to-people ties.
Biden said he was announcing 200 (M) million dollars in new proposals, though the total seemed much larger, starting with climate…
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And to further align the US’ first-ever Pacific Partnership Strategy with the Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent…
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…though no mention of fishing rights in an expanded PRIMNM, at least not in the public open session, before reporters were asked to leave…
But on security and more direct efforts to counter China’s growing regional influence…
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Biden also announced the US is establishing diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands and Niue.
Governor Lemanu seated at an adjoining table to the president’s was expected to bring climate, fishing, and other local concerns to the summit…and to seek further progress in American Samoa’s bid for full membership in the Pacific Islands Forum.
