Pacific leaders attended the second U.S.-PIF Summit in Washington this week on the invitation of President Joe Biden, who pledged to work with Congress to provide $200 million in funding for the region.

Tonga’s Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku attended the two-days summit held at the White House in Washington, D.C. from 25-26 September 2023, where leaders reaffirmed their support for the Declaration on U.S.- Pacific Partnership that was formed last year in their first meeting.

President Biden renewed his commitment to enhancing the partnership with Pacific Islands – to achieve a shared vision for a resilient Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity, where individuals can reach their potential, the environment can thrive, and democracy can flourish.

The U.S.-Pacific Partnership

The White House stated that its approach to the Pacific “remains strong and productive bilateral and regional collaboration with the Pacific Islands, and listening and responding to Pacific priorities. Our priorities are informed by those outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and in support of the Pacific regional architecture led by the Pacific Islands Forum.”

The US is increasing its diplomatic footprint in the region, opening new embassies in Solomon Islands and Tonga, and a future embassy in Vanuatu. It aims to sustain high-level engagement, and strengthen regional institutions, among other initiatives to advance a democratic resilient and prosperous Pacific Region.

Tackling the climate crisis, investing in trade and economic development and buildiing resilient and secure infrastructure, while supporting peace and security, and enhancing people to people ties, is also on the agenda.

Tonga's Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that the United States is also dedicated to working together with the Pacific region to support the successful delivery and implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent (2050 Strategy).

“In commending the Pacific region for the development of the Pacific designed, led and owned regional financing initiative through the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), the United States’ announcement to support the establishment of the PRF with an initial funding of $2 million was warmly received,” the PMO stated.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare declined the US invitation to the White House for the summit and disappointed US officials. He is the only Pacific leader that was absent, apart from Vanuatu's new Prime Minster Sato Kilman who had to remain in Port Vila to navigate a political crisis.

Attending the summit were:
Special Envoy Ewen McDonald of Australia
Prime Minister Mark Brown of Cook Islands
President Wesley W. Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of the Republic of Fiji
President Moetai Brotherson of French Polynesia
President Taneti Maamau of the Republic of Kiribati
President Russ Kun of the Republic of Nauru
President Louis Mapou of the Government of New Caledonia
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta of New Zealand
Premier Dalton Tagelagi of Niue
President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau
Prime Minister James Marape of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
President David Kabua of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa of the Independent State of Samoa
Permanent Secretary Collin Beck of Solomon Islands
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku of the Kingdom of Tonga
Prime Minister Kausea Natano of Tuvalu
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. of the United States of America
Ambassador Odo Tevi of the Republic of Vanuatu.