The overall goal of the 2022 – 2027 Strategic Framework (SF) for the Pacific Islands is to advance a more democratic, prosperous, and resilient Pacific Island region. Resilience, the ability of the Pacific Islands to sustainably adapt to and recover from various natural and man-made shocks and stresses, is the guiding principle of this SF. USAID envisions a more resilient region that can better respond and adapt to climate and disaster impacts, pandemics, and economic shocks, with strong political systems that champion democratic values, good governance, human rights, and promote equity and inclusion for all Pacific Islanders. USAID will partner with key regional organizations, Pacific governments, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen overall resilience and accelerate the development progress of the Pacific Island countries (PICs). To achieve this goal, USAID will work through three Development Objectives (DOs):
DO 1: Community Resilience Strengthened
DO 2: Resilient Economic Growth Advanced
DO 3: Democratic Governance Strengthened
USAID programs will assist 12 PICs: Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The PICs occupy a vast area of the Pacific Ocean that is geographically and uniquely situated to help ensure vibrant trade and security for the Americas and Asia. In 2018, the U.S. conducted over $1.9 trillion in two-way trade with the Indo-Pacific region, supporting more than 3 million jobs in the U.S. and 5.1 million jobs in the Indo-Pacific.
Ensuring freedom of commercial navigation for all is thus an international defense imperative and priority. The U.S. is deeply committed to partnering with PICs to address their common and unique challenges to ensure their resilience and prosperity. The U.S. government (USG) has reaffirmed its commitment toward the PICs as evidenced by visits from high-level officials to the region and additional investments as part of the USG’s Pacific Pledge. To support the USG’s renewed effort, this SF outlines how USAID will expand its portfolio and broaden PIC partnerships to address the region’s most pressing challenges: high vulnerability to climate change, natural disasters, health threats, and economic shocks, as well as prioritizing development partnerships and collaboration to mitigate influences that challenge the region’s stability and democratic systems. These challenges and opportunities are also consistent with the priorities articulated in the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance.
