Pacific Partnership Act

The Pacific Partnership Act aims to significantly enhance United States engagement with the Pacific Islands region, recognizing its critical importance to U.S. strategic interests. It establishes a Sense of Congress emphasizing longstanding connections and the need for a comprehensive U.S. policy promoting peace, security, prosperity, and sustainable development. This policy should also strengthen resilience to natural disasters and foster democratic governance. A central provision mandates the President to develop and submit a "Strategy for Pacific Partnership" by January 1, 2026, and again by 2030. This strategy must outline overarching goals for U.S. engagement and assess threats such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing , non-U.S. military presence, and economic coercion. It requires a detailed plan to address these challenges, a resource plan, and mechanisms for coordinating with Pacific Island governments and regional partners. The President must consult various stakeholders, including regional organizations and allies, in developing this strategy. Furthermore, the Act directs the President to consult and coordinate with key allies and partners, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan, on assistance programs for the region. This coordination aims to ensure programs are complementary and align with regional development goals. The bill also extends diplomatic immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum and requires annual updates to existing U.S. reports to include discussions on transnational crime affecting the region.