The United States of America is having separate talks with Fiji, Papua New Guinea and other members of the Pacific Islands Forum and these talks are mainly focusing on development assistance.
Speaking in a regional press conference on US engagement in Pacific, US Deputy Assistant Secretary and Ambassador for APEC, Matthew Matthews confirmed that they are meeting with Pacific Island ambassadors in Washington to explore specific areas where the US can provide development assistance and coordinate efforts with other donors including the multi-lateral development banks, in particular, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Matthews says the US continues to be one of the top development partners in the region.
He says the US is also the largest shareholder of the World Bank and ADB along with Japan where they are encouraging greater focus on the Pacific.
Matthews says in 2017, the World Bank and ADB provided US$72 billion in financing in the world and a big uptake in financing was in the Pacific.
He also says that the leading donor to the Green Climate Fund where they have provided US$1 billion.
Matthews says they are also supporting simplified approval processes and USAID is also working to ensure that the Pacific Island countries understand and have easy access to the Green Climate Fund and development funds.
Matthews also confirms that the Coastguard and US Navy are working with many governments in the region focusing on illegal fishing and drug trafficking.
He says they will provide US assets to assist in these areas and work with governments and police in the region to strengthen systems across the Pacific.
When asked on whether the US has lost ground in the Pacific due to increased investment, lending and assistance from China, Matthews says they just want all donors to follow international processes.
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