The Pacific Islands: Background and Issues for Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 7, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF11208 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Thomas Lum; Jared G. Tupuola |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The Pacific Islands region encompasses 14 Pacific Island
countries (PICs), the U.S. state of Hawaii, and several U.S.
territories, and spans nearly 15% of the Earth’s surface.
Successive U.S. Administrations and some Members of
Congress have identified significant U.S. national security
interests in the region, including maintaining free and open
waterways, supporting U.S. diplomatic engagement,
providing assistance in areas such as economic
development, sustainable fisheries, and climate change, and
maintaining strong economic and security ties with the
Freely Associated States. U.S. policymakers also have
aimed to address security and other threats posed by the
People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) in the region.
Pacific Island countries are diverse in geography and
economies. They are scattered over a broad expanse of
ocean and divided among three subregions—Micronesia,
Polynesia, and Melanesia (see Figure 1). The United States
has long held major economic and strategic roles in the
Micronesian subregion, home to two U.S. territories (Guam
and the Northern Mariana Islands) and to the Freely
Associated States (FAS)—Republic of the Marshall Islands
(RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and
Republic of Palau. U.S. territory American Samoa lies in
the Polynesian subregion, where France has territories
(“collectivities”) and military bases. Australia and New
Zealand maintain strong relations with most PICs,
particularly in Melanesia. China is pursuing closer political,
security, and economic relations with the region, and since
2019 has established diplomatic relations with three Pacific
Island countries that previously recognized Taiwan.
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is the region’s main
multinational organization. Headquartered in Fiji, the PIF
has 18 members—14 PICs, 2 French collectivities,
Australia, and New Zealand. At the 2024 PIF Leaders
Meeting in Tonga, American Samoa and Guam were
endorsed for associate membership. The PIF also has 21
“dialogue partners” that contribute to PIF discussions and
initiatives aimed at regional development and security. The
United States has been a dialogue partner since 1989.
Australia, the Asia Development Bank, China, Japan, New
Zealand, and the United States were the top providers of
development assistance to the Pacific Islands in 2023.
