Meeting with Members of Vanuatu’s Parliament
I had the privilege of meeting with Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu during their visit to Washington, DC this week coordinated by the Congressional Office for International Leadership’s (COIL) Open World program. COIL’s work to promote congressional and citizen diplomacy is invaluable. Our discussion highlighted the many shared values and challenges that tie our Pacific communities together. We spoke about Vanuatu’s key industries, including tourism and agriculture, as well as the workforce shortages and economic pressures that are familiar to us in the CNMI. Their leaders also expressed concerns about national security, the effects of shifting development assistance, and the growing influence of major economic partners in the region. I appreciated their perspective on the “Pacific Way,” a reminder of the deep cultural and economic connections across our islands. I shared our commitment to supporting Vanuatu’s efforts to strengthen economic stability and encouraged continued engagement with U.S. officials. The delegation will be meeting with other Members of Congress during their visit, and we look forward to seeing our Pacific Partnerships continue to grow.
