East-West Center launches Pacific-centric publication and website

Screengrab shows the homepage of The Pacific Islands Matter for America/America Matters for the Pacific Islands website. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The East-West Center has officially launched a premier publication and website on US-Pacific Islands relations, The Pacific Islands Matter for America/America Matters for the Pacific Islands.

The publication and accompanying data visualizations highlight the deep historical and contemporary significance of the relationship between the United States, Hawaii, and Pacific Islands countries and territories including the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. The publication also covers Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

The publication and website (https://asiamattersforamerica.org/pacific) feature infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties at the national, state, and local levels.

“The Pacific Islands Matter for America initiative creates space for the diverse voices of the Pacific by opening dialogue about how and why the people of the Pacific Islands and America matter to each other, advancing collective efforts to address climate, governance, education, economies, health, and sustainable development,” said Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, president of the East- West Center. “The East-West Center Pacific Islands Development Program, which is Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders, remains enthusiastic about new and exciting partnerships and initiatives, looking forward to serving as a bridge between the United States and Pacific Islands governments and peoples across the region. Our efforts propel us on a new journey toward exploring and discovering unchartered ideas, solutions, and possibilities.”

A hybrid event to launch the new publication, jointly hosted by the House Pacific Islands Caucus and the EWC, was led by Dr. Satu Limaye, vice president of the East-West Center and director of the Center’s Washington office, and concluded with an in-person reception on Capitol Hill.

Key remarks were offered by Vares-Lum and Interior deputy assistant secretary for Insular and International Affairs Keone Nakoa. The launch included remarks from prominent U.S. and Pacific Islands leaders and government officials, including co-chairs of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus: Rep. Ami Bera (CA-7); Rep. Don Young (AK-At Large); Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-1); Rep. Ed Case (HI-1), and Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-30).

Additional speakers included American Samoa Delegate Aumua Amata Radewagen, Australia Ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States Rosemary Banks, Palau Ambassador to the United States Hersey Kyota, and Fiji Ambassador to the United Nations Dr. Satyendra Prasad.

The event brought together members of Congress and their staff, U.S. and Pacific Islands government officials, the private sector, and regional experts to celebrate the partnerships between the United States and the Pacific Islands region.

“This product of one of our country’s and world’s premier Indo-Pacific institutions captures the critical importance of the Pacific Islands in this Pacific Century,” said Case, who is co-chair of the bipartisan U.S. House Pacific Islands Caucus. “It will prove the go-to resource for stakeholders to focus on and appreciate the shared histories, cultures, values and interests with which we can and must forge a common path in the Indo- Pacific on regional security and stability, development, trade, climate change and other challenges of our times.”

“The Pacific Islands Matter for America publication and website highlight the important connections and relationships that Hawaii and the rest of the United States have not only with the Insular Areas, but with all Pacific Islands,”

said Nakoa. “The deep, historic, and mutually-beneficial relationships that the United States have in the Pacific remain strong and the U.S. territories and the freely associated states harbor important strategic locations with significant ocean resources. Moreover, the Pacific Island peoples have and continue to contribute greatly to the fabric of this country. This publication aims to highlight some of the key aspects of the unique relationships the Pacific Islands and the United States have with one another.”

Produced by the East-West Center with funding support from the U..S Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, the inaugural edition of The Pacific Islands Matter for America / America Matters for The Pacific Islands brings to light important facts and figures, including:

■ The Pacific Islands region spans 15% of the world’s surface area;
■ Pacific Island economies have a combined GDP of $139 billion;
■ U.S. relations with the Pacific span over 150 years;
■ The United States partners with Pacific militaries and law enforcement;
■ Under the Pacific Pledge, the U.S. government has committed about $350 million in assistance to Pacific Islands countries;
■ The United States exports over $400 million in goods to Pacific Islands countries; (PR)
■ Over 250,000 US tourists visit Pacific Islands countries annually;
■ 57% of U.S. students who studied in the Pacific Islands studied in Fiji; California and Hawaii host nearly 50% of the Pacific Islander population in the United States; and the United States shares eight sister city partnerships with five Pacific Islands countries. (PR)