BLUE Pacific Act

Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act or the BLUE Pacific Act

This bill requires and authorizes activities related to U.S. foreign policy in the Pacific Islands, which includes the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.

The bill authorizes various activities in the Pacific Islands, including to

• assist the Pacific Islands to improve public health outcomes and build public health capacity;
• assist efforts to promote the dissemination of free and accurate information;
• promote educational and professional development for young adult leaders and professionals;
• provide assistance to promote sustainable and quality basic education in the Pacific Islands;
• build the capacity of local civilian and national security institutions;
• expand trade capacity and promote regional development;
• help enhance preparedness for and resilience to natural disasters and other emergencies, including by improving critical infrastructure;
• support sustainable fisheries policies and marine biodiversity conservation;
• support efforts to expand access to broadband and improve telecommunications infrastructure; and
• help improve cybersecurity, including by providing assistance to develop and implement incident response plans and risk management frameworks.

The bill also requires (1) the Department of State to help Pacific Island countries access development support from international organizations, (2) the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to seek to enter into investment incentive agreements with Pacific Islands countries, and (3) the Department of Commerce to expand the presence of the U.S. Commercial Service and increase the number foreign commercial officers in the Pacific Islands.

The BLUE Pacific Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 4538, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress that aims to address environmental and economic issues in the Pacific region. The bill focuses on promoting sustainable development, protecting marine resources, and supporting the economies of Pacific Island nations.

One of the key provisions of the BLUE Pacific Act is the establishment of a grant program to support conservation efforts in the Pacific region. This program would provide funding for projects that aim to protect marine ecosystems, combat climate change, and promote sustainable fishing practices.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to strengthen partnerships between the US and Pacific Island nations. This includes increased cooperation on issues such as disaster response, economic development, and environmental protection. Overall, the BLUE Pacific Act seeks to promote environmental conservation and economic development in the Pacific region through targeted funding and partnerships. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is seen as a positive step towards addressing the unique challenges faced by Pacific Island nations.