US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, from May 21-22 where he will meet with Pacific Islands Forum leaders on behalf of President Joe Biden, Department of State announced late Thursday.
State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that Blinken will discuss a range of issues with Pacific Islands leaders, including “shared priorities such as tackling the climate crisis, advancing inclusive economic growth for the people of the Pacific Islands.” Blinken will also highlight the US commitment “to realize a prosperous, resilient and secure Pacific Islands region in support of the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.” The US top diplomat will convey Biden?’s invitation to Pacific Islands leaders to visit Washington, D.C. later this year for the second US summit with the Pacific Islands Forum, according to the statement.
The statement noted that Blinken will also meet with Papua New Guinea?’s Prime Minister James Marape and sign a bilateral defense cooperation agreement and a bilateral maritime security agreement.
Source: Kuwait News Agency