Weiland said the $44 million package includes $7 million for a new regional crime-fighting centre in Palau to support maritime enforcement training, financial intelligence and cybercrime units. Overall U.S. investment in the Pacific through his bureau has risen from $6 million in 2021 to more than $60 million. The bureau opened its first office in Suva in 2024, and the office is expanding.
Adong said women from several parties, including NRM, FDC, UPC and others, had reported sexual harassment, adding that the full report would later be presented to the President, Parliament and the Electoral Commission. An IPOD summit press conference is expected next year.
On commercial diplomacy, the United States is shifting assistance toward private-sector-led growth, including efforts with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Taiwan to connect every Pacific Islands Forum country to a trusted undersea cable network. A second Pacific Investment Summit is scheduled to be hosted in early 2027.