Posted on 28 September 2023
On Monday, Pacific Island Forum leaders gathered at the White House to meet US President Joe Biden, the second summit of this kind in the past year. At the meeting, Biden provided diplomatic recognition of the Cook Islands and Niue and expressed that “the United States is committed to ensuring an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, prosperous, and secure." He has committed to provide US$200 million to fund Pacific projects in the realm of climate, economics and health.
Biden also acknowledged the climate crisis on the Pacific’s doorstep, saying “We hear your warnings of a rising sea and (that) they pose an existential threat to your nations. We hear your calls for reassurance that you never, never, never will lose your statehood, or membership of the U.N. as a result of a climate crisis.”