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U.S. House Passes Bipartisan Foreign Policy Measure, Strengthening Ties with Pacific Partners

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan foreign policy measure, the PARTNER Act, which includes a provision from Congressman Ed Case's Pacific Partnership Act to strengthen ties between the United States and its partners in the Pacific. The measure would extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to five international organizations, including the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and allow them to operate independently. The PIF, which brings together 18 Pacific nations to address pressing issues and challenges, would formally be authorized as a public international organization and be able to engage diplomatically and establish diplomatic missions in the United States.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PARTNER Act, cosponsored by Congressman Ed Case, aims to strengthen ties between the United States and its Pacific partners by extending diplomatic privileges and immunities to five international organizations, including the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
  • The measure would formally authorize the PIF as a public international organization, allowing it to engage diplomatically and establish diplomatic missions in the United States, just as foreign countries do.
  • The Pacific Islands Forum brings together 18 Pacific nations, including Australia, Cook Islands, and Fiji, to address pressing issues and challenges, and to foster collaboration and cooperation.
  • The PARTNER Act was cosponsored by 23 bipartisan colleagues, including most members of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, which Congressman Case cofounded in 2019.
  • The provision from Congressman Case's Pacific Partnership Act would bolster U.S. engagement in the Pacific through a variety of initiatives, including official recognition of the PIF.
  • The Pacific Islands Forum has a vision for a resilient Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity, ensuring all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.

Statistics:

  • 5 international organizations would be included in the PARTNER Act, extending their diplomatic privileges and immunities: ASEAN, CERN, PIF, Caribbean Community, and African Union.
  • 23 bipartisan colleagues cosponsored the PARTNER Act, including most members of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus.
  • 18 Pacific nations are part of the Pacific Islands Forum: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
  • The PARTNER Act would formally authorize the PIF to engage diplomatically and establish diplomatic missions in the United States, aligning with the Pacific Islands Forum's vision for a resilient Pacific region.

Sources:

  • "Rep. Ed Case Announces House Passage of Bipartisan Foreign Policy Measure to Strengthen Ties with Pacific Partners", Congressman Ed Case (Hawai'i -- District 1), September 2, 2023.
  • "Pacific Islands Forum", Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, 2023.
  • "H.R. 4490, the PARTNER Act", United States House of Representatives, 2023.
  • "H.R. 3322, the Pacific Partnership Act", United States House of Representatives, 2023.

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