US should focus on climate change for Pacific Islands, region's leaders say

Leaders of the Pacific Islands have called on the United States to make the prevalent issue of climate change its priority in the region. This comes as Washington has sought to engage more with the Pacific Islands in the midst of China’s growing influence.

Following a closed-door meeting of Pacific Island leaders in Hawaii Wednesday, Hawaii Governor David Ige said the region’s leaders are hopeful that they can coordinate with the Biden administration on their strategy rather than Washington plan a strategy for them.

Ige also said that the Pacific Island leaders that were present in the meeting all supported the 2050 Blue Pacific Continent strategy in the region.

“The sentiment shared by Pacific Island leaders is that they are hopeful that they would be able to work with the Biden administration on our strategy and our plan, rather than have the White House and the United States develop a plan for the region,” said Ige during a news conference.

Delegations from 16 Pacific Island nations and territories were present at the meeting in Honolulu. President Joe Biden will be hosting the first meeting of Pacific Island leaders at the White House on September 28 and September 29.

The conference chairman, Micronesia President David Panuelo, said increased engagement between the United States and the Pacific Islands was “very much welcome.” Panuelo added that the US and China should compete “in a healthy manner” to maintain peace.

The increased engagement by Washington follows the security pact Beijing signed with the Solomon Islands, prompting fears of militarization in the area.

Panuelo also said that climate change poses a bigger challenge in the region, describing the issue as “like pulling teeth” for low-lying states to be able to access needed support for international climate funds.

The White House said Thursday that Biden would be meeting with the family members of two Americans that are currently jailed in Russia. Biden will be meeting with the family members of WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner and former US Marine Paul Whelan.

The US leader will host separate meetings with Griner’s wife and Whelan’s sister, over a month since the Biden administration announced it proposed a deal for their return.