Discussing Pacific Priorities with Deputy Secretary Landau
On Wednesday, I attended the Pacific Islands Caucus briefing with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who shared insights from his recent visit to Papua New Guinea and his participation in the U.S.-Pacific Islands Business Forum on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. I asked about deep-sea mining in the Northern Marianas, currently under review by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). Protecting our marine environment while responsibly exploring economic opportunities remains a top priority for our community. BOEM is seeking public input on potential seabed mineral leases offshore the Northern Marianas and has extended the comment period to January 12, 2026. It’s important that our voices are heard, so please submit your comments through BOEM’s website.