12 OCTOBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL TALKING POINTS U.S. Joins Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell represented the United States at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, held in Tonga Aug. 26-30, 2024. Campbell, a key figure in U.S. IndoPacific strategy, attended the summit in Nuku’alofa on Aug. 28, where he engaged with Pacific Island leaders on the U.S. Pacific Partnership Strategy, launched in 2022. Following the summit, Campbell visited Vanuatu to dedicate a new U.S. embassy and highlight a U.S. Peace Corps project and repatriation of cultural artifacts. Campbell’s regional tour concluded in New Zealand, where he co-chaired a U.S.–New Zealand Strategic Dialogue meeting and launched a high-level technology dialogue in Auckland on Aug. 30. Campbell’s visit highlighted the U.S. commitment to strengthening ties in the Pacific region amid growing competition with China. The trip followed Pacific Nation leaders pose for photo ahead of the leaders’ retreat during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Vava’u, Tonga, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. concerns raised by the U.S. over Chinese security influence in the Pacific, particularly in Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. The Pacific Islands Forum, which once struggled to gain international attention, has now become a focal point for global powers vying for influence in the region. This year’s summit, attended by more than 1,500 delegates from more than 40 countries, is a testament to the growing importance of the Pacific in global geopolitics. The event began with a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability when a magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook Nuku’alofa. During the opening ceremony, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a powerful speech, praising the Pacific leaders for their leadership in climate action and calling on the world to support the region’s efforts. “If we save the Pacific, we save the world,” Guterres said. For more on Pacific Islands diplomacy, see the article on page 42. Military Aid Package for Ukraine On Aug. 23, the United States announced a significant new military aid package for Ukraine as the country marked 33 years of independence. The assistance, drawn from Department of Defense stocks, includes weapons and equipment critical to Ukraine’s defense against ongoing Russian aggression. In a statement, President Joe Biden emphasized the enduring nature of Ukraine’s sovereignty: “Tomorrow— as the people of Ukraine mark their Independence Day—let it be clear: When Russia’s senseless war began, Ukraine was a free country. Today, it is still a free country. And the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free, sovereign, and independent country.” Additionally, Biden announced new sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals aiding Russia’s war efforts. He referenced recent international efforts, including the transfer of F-16 fighter jets, delivery of air defense interceptors, and the formation of the Ukraine Compact with 20 nations to bolster Ukraine’s long-term defense capabilities. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the administration’s stance that the U.S. and its international allies will continue to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression. This comes after a surprise Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions beginning on Aug. 6. Ukrainian forces claimed to control almost 400 square miles of Russian territory after the first week of fighting. Despite the ongoing drone and missile attacks, Russia and Ukraine exchanged more than 100 prisoners of war on Aug. 24, the third Ukrainian Independence Day since the start of the Russian invasion. AAP IMAGE/LUKAS COCH
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