25 september 2023

Washington, DC, September 25, 2023:-The Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, joined distinguished Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, on the invitation of The Hon. Joseph Robinette Biden, President of the United States of America, met in Washington, D.C. on Monday, 25th September 2023 for a 2nd U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum.

The second U.S.-PIF Summit is convened for two days from 25th – 26th September 2023, the first having been held last year around the same time, immediately after the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Pacific leaders attended the Summit in unison, stressing once again that climate change remains an existential threat to the Pacific nations.

President Biden made a clarion and reinforced commitment: “Pacific Islanders, we hear your warning that climate poses an existential threat to your nations. We hear your calls for reassurance that you never lose your statehood or membership in the UN as a result. Today, I’m making it clear that this is our position as well”.

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 United States and the Pacific Island nations recognize the importance of further developing vulnerability measures, including the potential use of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) as a criteria to access concessional finance.

As one of the eight Political Climate Champions for the Pacific, The Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku called on all Multilateral Climate Funds to simplify access modalities to climate change finance; pushed for International Financial Institutions, the private sector and philanthropic foundations to mobilize support for the new Loss and Damage Financing Facility; advocated for the adoption of the Multi-Vulnerability Index; and appealed for global leadership to contribute to the capitalization of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).