The United States is entering a new phase of diplomacy in the Pacific Islands, marked by the launch of the '7 for 70 Campaign.' This initiative aims to establish sister city partnerships to enhance people-to-people connections across the region. A significant milestone occurred on June 7, 2024, when Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a sister city agreement at the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. This agreement symbolizes a commitment to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Pacific Island nations, particularly in light of increasing Chinese influence in the region. The U.S. diplomatic focus has shifted towards enhancing economic and maritime security, alongside fostering cultural connections [4ebf1d3c].
In parallel, Japan has been actively working to strengthen its relations with the Pacific Island countries (PICs) through bilateral and regional approaches. The Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM) has served as a key platform for policy dialogue in the region. The history of PALM can be divided into three periods: PALM1 (1997) to PALM3 (2003), PALM4 (2006) to PALM6 (2012), and PALM7 (2015) to PALM9 (2021). The upcoming PALM10 will mark the first face-to-face meeting of PIC leaders in Japan since 2018. This meeting will focus on cooperation to uphold the rule of law and promote objective, science-based information sharing regarding Japan's ALPS-treated water discharge plan. PALM10 presents a crucial opportunity for Japan to strengthen its bond with the PICs and establish a partnership to address national, regional, and global challenges together [1b19a9c0].