U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris assured Pacific island leaders of more U.S. engagement after acknowledging the United States may not have previously provided the diplomatic attention the region deserved.
Harris’s virtual address to the Pacific Islands Forum, meeting in the Fijian capital Suva, comes as China vies for more influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
She proposed new embassies in Tonga and in Kiribati, a Micronesian state that split this week from the 18-nation forum in a major blow to regional harmony. Harris also proposed requesting that the U.S. Congress triple funding for fisheries assistance to $60 million a year and appoint the first U.S. envoy to the forum.
“The United States is a proud Pacific nation and has an enduring commitment to the Pacific islands which is why President Joe Biden and I seek to strengthen our partnership with you,” Harris said.“We recognize that in recent years the Pacific islands may not have received the diplomatic attention and support that you deserve. So today I am here to tell you directly, we are going to change that,” she added.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Video raises questions after Harris Co. deputy shoots and kills assault suspectThe family of the man killed said the deputy used 'unjustified and unnecessary use of lethal force.' Video obtained by ABC13 shows the moments immediately after the shooting.
Read more »
Centerpoint: 12,000+ in parts of Harris County without power amid afternoon thunderstormsMost of the outages are in southwest Harris County, according to Centerpoint...
Read more »
Free adoptions at Harris County Pets through July 31Can you give a dog or cat a loving forever home? You can adopt a pet from Harris County Pets for $0 from July 11-31.
Read more »
VP Harris calls for 'assault weapons ban' on guns 'intentionally designed to kill' peopleVice President Kamala Harris said Sunday on 'Face the Nation' that so-called assault weapons are 'intentionally designed to kill a lot of human beings quickly.'
Read more »
Harris stresses need for 'pro-choice Congress' to protect abortion rightsVice President Kamala Harris underscored the importance of voters casting their ballots in the November midterm elections for a 'pro-choice Congress' that will enshrine the right to an abortion into law after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Read more »