Tonga was among Pacific Island countries who signed on to a new partnership with the United States of America, aimed at strengthening and renewing ties at the conclusion of the first U.S Pacific Island Country Summit in Washington D.C. on 28-29 September.

The Leaders also issued a Joint Statement for the Declaration of this U.S. Pacific Islands Partnership.

The declaration outlined the commitments, which focused on: supporting and strengthening the US-Pacific partnership, bolstering Pacific regionalism, commitment to tacking climate crisis together as a priority, enhancing cooperation to advance economic growth and sustainable development in the Pacific, and maintaining peace and security across the Blue Pacific Continent.

Under the first-Ever Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum: the Biden-Harris Administration stated their commitment to Pacific regionalism, with the Pacific Islands Forum at the center, as a vital part of the Indo-Pacific regional architecture.

President Biden has since designated former Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Nauru, and Tuvalu, Ambassador Frankie Reed, as the first-ever U.S. Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum.

In this new capacity, the Ambassador will expand U.S. ties and coordination with the Pacific Islands Forum and its members.

U.S. President Biden said, "the summit is about deepening our enduring commitment to each other and our shared future; our commitment to tackling the climate crisis, which threatens all of us."

The Biden-Harris Administration announced its commitments to implement this Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership.

The first-ever United States-Pacific Island Country Summit marked a new milestone in U.S.-Pacific cooperation.

"As an outcome of the Summit, the President and Pacific leaders issued the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership, a forward-looking vision statement reflecting our shared commitment to expand and deepen our cooperation in the years ahead."

More support

President Biden also announced new initiatives to meet Pacific priorities.

"The United States has directly provided over $1.5 billion to support the Pacific Islands over the past decade and announced over $810 million in additional expanded programs."

“These initiatives seek to improve the lives and wellbeing of all Pacific Islanders by expanding diplomatic engagement, including through the historic announcement that the United States will recognize Cook Islands and Niue, following appropriate consultations; combatting the climate crisis; launching a new Trade and Investment Dialogue; providing development assistance; enhancing maritime security; expanding educational opportunities; enhancing security, health, and digital capacity; and addressing painful legacies of war.

These new initiatives include the 10-year $600 million Economic Assistance Agreement request to Congress, which is associated with the South Pacific Tuna Treaty.

Additionally, the Biden-Harris Administration’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment aims to deliver game-changing projects in the region, among others.

At the same time, this Pacific Islands strategy is an addendum to the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States and will align with the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Other commitments were also made.

Tonga was represented by the Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku.