BLUE Pacific Act

To establish a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes. 1. Short titles; table of contents (a) Short titles This Act may be cited as the Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act BLUE Pacific Act (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short titles; table of contents. Sec. 2. Findings. Sec. 3. Statement of policy. Sec. 4. Definitions. Sec. 5. Authority to consolidate reports; form of reports. TITLE I—United States engagement and countering transnational crime Sec. 101. Diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands. Sec. 102. International Law Enforcement Academy for the Pacific Islands. Sec. 103. Security assistance for the Pacific Islands. Sec. 104. Countering transnational crime. Sec. 105. Coordination with regional allies. TITLE II—Development initiatives Sec. 201. Trade development with the Pacific Islands. Sec. 202. Trade capacity building initiative for the Pacific Islands. Sec. 203. Emergency preparedness initiative for the Pacific Islands. Sec. 204. Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands. Sec. 205. Public health in the Pacific Islands. Sec. 206. Education assistance. Sec. 207. Climate resilient development in the Pacific Islands. Sec. 208. Coordination with other Federal agencies and cooperation and participation of nongovernmental United States entities. TITLE III—Promotion of shared values Sec. 301. Press freedom in the Pacific Islands. Sec. 302. United States Agency for Global Media. Sec. 303. Gender equality. Sec. 304. Pacific Islands Leadership Development Initiative. Sec. 305. Civil society engagement and development. 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Pacific Islands— (A) are home to roughly 10,000,000 residents, including more than 8,600,000 in Papua New Guinea, constituting diverse and dynamic cultures and peoples; (B) are spread across an expanse of the Pacific Ocean equivalent to 15 percent of the Earth’s surface, including the 3 subregions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia; and (C) face shared challenges in development that have distinct local contexts, including climate change, rising sea levels, geographic distances from major markets, and vulnerability to external shocks such as natural disasters. (2) The United States is a Pacific country with longstanding ties and shared values and interests with the Pacific Islands, including through the Compacts of Free Association with the Freely Associated States, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. (3) The United States has vital national security interests in the Pacific Islands, including— (A) protecting regional peace and security that fully respects the sovereignty of all nations; (B) advancing economic prosperity free from coercion through trade and sustainable development; and (C) supporting democracy, good governance, the rule of law, and human rights and fundamental freedoms. (4) Successive United States administrations have recognized the importance of the Pacific region, including the Pacific Islands, in high-level strategic documents, including— (A) the 2015 United States National Security Strategy, which— (i) first declared the rebalance to Asia and the Pacific; (ii) affirmed the United States as a Pacific nation; and (iii) paved the way for subsequent United States engagement with the Pacific Islands, including several new policies focused on conservation and resilience to climate change that were announced in September 2016; (B) the 2017 United States National Security Strategy, which includes a commitment to shore up fragile partner States in the Pacific Islands region to reduce their vulnerability to economic fluctuations and natural disasters (C) the 2019 Indo-Pacific Strategy Report, which identified the Pacific Islands as critical to U.S. strategy because of our shared values, interests, and commitments building capacity and resilience to address maritime security; Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing; drug trafficking; and resilience to address climate change and disaster response (5) The United States has deepened its diplomatic engagement with the Pacific Islands through several recent initiatives, including— (A) the Pacific Pledge, which provided an additional $100,000,000 in 2019 and $200,000,000 in 2020, in addition to approximately $350,000,000 that the United States provides annually to the region to support shared priorities in economic and human development, climate change, and more; and (B) the Small and Less Populous Island Economies Initiative, which was launched in March 2021 to strengthen United States collaboration with island countries and territories, including in the Pacific Islands, regarding COVID–19 economic challenges, long-term economic development, climate change, and other shared interests. (6) The Boe Declaration on Regional Security, signed by leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, affirmed that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security, and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific the sovereign right of every Member to conduct its national affairs free of external interference and coercion (7) The Asian Development Bank has estimated that the Pacific Islands region has up to $2,800,000,000 per year in investment needs through 2030, in addition to $300,000,000 per year for climate mitigation and adaptation during the same period. (8) The Pacific Islands swiftly enacted effective policies to prevent and contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (commonly referred to as COVID–19 (A) expanding testing capacity and acquisition of needed medical supplies, including available COVID–19 vaccines, and supporting vaccination efforts through a reliable supply chain; (B) planning for lifting of lockdowns and reopening of economic and social activities; and (C) mitigating and recovering from the impacts of the COVID–19 pandemic on the health system and the reliance on food and energy imports and lost tourism revenue and other economic and food security damages caused by the COVID–19 pandemic. (9) Since 1966, thousands of Peace Corps volunteers have proudly served in the Pacific Islands, building strong people-to-people relationships and demonstrating the United States commitment to peace and development in the region. Before the COVID–19 pandemic, the Peace Corps maintained a presence in 4 countries of the Pacific Islands. Peace Corps volunteers continue to be in high demand in the Pacific Islands and have been requested across the region. 3. Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States— (1) to develop and commit to a comprehensive, multifaceted, and principled United States policy in the Pacific Islands that— (A) promotes peace, security, and prosperity for all countries through a rules-based regional order that respects the sovereignty and political independence of all nations; (B) preserves the Pacific Ocean as an open and vibrant corridor for international maritime trade and promotes trade and sustainable development that— (i) supports inclusive economic growth and autonomy for all nations; and (ii) addresses socioeconomic challenges related to public health, education, renewable energy, digital connectivity, and more; (C) supports regional efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, including by strengthening resilience to natural disasters and through responsible stewardship of natural resources; (D) improves civil society, strengthens democratic governance and the rule of law, and promotes human rights and the preservation of the Pacific Islands region’s unique cultural heritages; (E) assists the Pacific Islands in preventing and containing the spread of the COVID–19 pandemic and in pursuing long-term economic recovery; and (F) supports existing regional architecture and international norms; (2) to support the vision, values, and objectives of existing regional multilateral institutions and frameworks, such as the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Community, including— (A) the 2014 Framework for Pacific Regionalism; (B) the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security; and (C) the Boe Declaration Action Plan; (3) to extend and renew the provisions of the Compacts of Free Association and related United States law that will expire in 2023, for the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, and in 2024, for the Republic of Palau, unless they are extended and renewed; and (4) to work closely with United States allies and partners with existing relationships and interests in the Pacific Islands, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan, in advancing common goals. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Appropriate congressional committees Except as otherwise provided, the term appropriate congressional committees (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives (3) Pacific Islands The term Pacific Islands (4) Secretary The term Secretary 5. Authority to consolidate reports; form of reports (a) Authority To consolidate reports Any reports required to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees under this Act that are subject to deadlines for submission consisting of the same units of time may be consolidated into a single report that is submitted to appropriate congressional committees pursuant to such deadlines and that contains all information required under such reports. (b) Form of reports Each report required under this Act shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. I United States engagement and countering transnational crime 101. Diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the strategic importance of the Pacific Islands necessitates an examination of whether United States diplomatic, economic, and development engagement and presence in the Pacific Islands region is sufficient to effectively support United States objectives and meaningful participation in regional forums; (2) improving shared understanding of, and jointly combating the transnational challenges pertinent to, the Pacific Islands region with countries of the Pacific Islands and regional partners, such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Taiwan, is vitally important to our shared long-term interests of stability, security, and prosperity; (3) the United States should seek to participate in, and support efforts to coordinate, a regional response toward maritime security, including through— (A) continued United States and Pacific Islands participation in the Pacific Fusion Centre in Vanuatu and the Information Fusion Centre in Singapore; and (B) robust cooperation with regional allies; and (4) the United States Government should commit to sending appropriate levels of representation to regional events. (b) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the diplomatic and development presence of the United States in the Pacific Islands. (2) Elements The report required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) a description of the presence, staffing, programming, and resourcing of operations of the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the United States Commercial Service in the Pacific Islands, including programming and resourcing not specifically allocated to the Pacific Islands; (B) a description of the gaps in the presence described under subparagraph (A), including unfilled full-time equivalent positions; (C) a description of the limitations and challenges such gaps pose to United States strategic objectives, including— (i) gaps in support of the Pacific Islands due to operations being conducted from the United States Agency for International Development offices in Manila and Suva; and (ii) gaps in programming and resourcing; and (D) a strategy to expand and elevate such presence to fill such gaps, including by— (i) establishing new missions; (ii) expanding participation in regional forums; and (iii) elevating United States representation in regional forums. (c) Authority To enhance diplomatic and economic engagement The Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce are authorized to hire locally employed staff in the Pacific Islands for the purpose of promoting increased diplomatic engagement and economic and commercial engagement between the United States and the Pacific Islands. (d) Regional development cooperation strategy Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit a regional development cooperation strategy for the Pacific Islands to the appropriate congressional committees. 102. International Law Enforcement Academy for the Pacific Islands (a) In general The Secretary shall develop and implement a plan to expand coverage of the International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA) program for the Pacific Islands, including by— (1) expanding coverage of the regional program located in Bangkok, Thailand to the Pacific Islands; or (2) establishing a new regional program for the Pacific Islands. (b) Elements The plan required under subsection (a) shall— (1) require consultation and coordination with existing regional law enforcement entities, including the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police and civil society, including entities that focus on human rights and specialize in victim-centered approaches; and (2) consider the costs of implementation, effectiveness, and capacity of the Pacific Islands to participate in the ILEA program. (c) Briefing Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall brief the appropriate congressional committees regarding the plan developed pursuant to subsection (a). 103. Security assistance for the Pacific Islands (a) Strategy (1) In general The Secretary, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, and in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for providing assistance to build the capacity of local civilian and national security institutions of the Pacific Islands for purposes of— (A) enhancing maritime security and maritime domain awareness to address challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; (B) assisting local law enforcement in detecting, preventing, and combating human and drug trafficking and other forms of transnational crime; (C) providing essential services to civilian populations and responding to humanitarian challenges caused by natural disasters; (D) participating in efforts by regional institutions and frameworks to coordinate and facilitate cooperation on shared security challenges; and (E) expanding information sharing and working toward operational coordination and interoperability among Pacific Island maritime security forces, including through regional fusion centers. (2) Programs and authorities described The strategy required under paragraph (1) shall build on the following programs and authorities: (A) The International Military Education and Training program. (B) The Foreign Military Financing program. (C) The Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid program. (D) The authority to build the capacity of foreign security forces under section 333 of title 10, United States Code. (E) the authority to provide excess defense articles under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2321j (F) The National Guard State Partnership Program. (3) National police forces and coast guards The national police forces and coast guards of the Pacific Islands are eligible to receive assistance under the programs and authorities described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E) of paragraph (2) for purposes of carrying out the strategy required under this subsection. (b) Elements The strategy required under subsection (a) shall— (1) seek to preserve peace and regional stability in the Pacific Islands; and (2) consider and seek to build upon (without duplicating) existing assistance provided by United States allies and partners. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report that contains the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (a) to— (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate (B) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate (C) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate (D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives (E) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives (F) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives (2) Matters to be included The report required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) an assessment of the security challenges in the Pacific Islands; (B) an analysis of demonstrated needs of the Pacific Islands for assistance, including excess defense, to fulfill such needs; (C) a review of existing security assistance programs in the Pacific Islands, including programs and efforts provided by United States allies and partners; (D) a plan for training and sustainment programs with respect to such excess defense equipment and related materials, including those with humanitarian and development uses; (E) a list of militaries, national police forces, coast guards, and other national security forces of the Pacific Islands receiving assistance under the strategy; (F) a plan to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, if necessary, through the Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid program; (G) a review of existing cross-border maritime law enforcement operations (commonly known as shiprider agreements (i) an assessment of additional resourcing needs to enhance operational capacity; and (ii) a plan to improve on such programs and operations; (H) a review of existing National Guard State Partnership programs with the Pacific Islands, including— (i) an assessment of additional opportunities for leveraging such programs to address law enforcement, disaster relief and emergency management, and related priorities; and (ii) a plan to expand, as appropriate, existing and new National Guard State Partnership Programs in the Pacific Islands region; (I) a review of current efforts and progress in removing unexploded ordnance in the Pacific Islands, including an assessment of additional resources needed— (i) to ensure continued progress with such efforts; and (ii) to support coordination with regional efforts and those of United States allies and partners; (J) a review of existing regional fusion centers and other cooperative intelligence sharing efforts in the Pacific Islands to address maritime security, transnational crime, natural disasters, and other security challenges, including an assessment of opportunities for the United States to participate in such efforts by allocating staff and supplying resources; (K) measures to evaluate success for the strategy; and (L) a detailed assessment of the level of appropriations that will be required to achieve the objectives for the strategy in future years. 104. Countering transnational crime (a) Ratification of international legal instruments (1) In general The Secretary shall prioritize efforts to assist the Pacific Islands in ratifying and implementing international legal conventions related to transnational crime, including— (A) the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora, done at Washington March 3, 1973 (27 UST 1087; TIAS 8429); (B) the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, done at Rome November 22, 2009, and entered into force June 5, 2016; and (C) relevant protocols supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, done at New York November 15, 2000, including— (i) the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Person, Especially Women and Children (commonly known as the Palermo Protocol (ii) the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air, entered into force January 28, 2004. (2) Biennial report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, as appropriate, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding— (A) the status of the progress of each country of the Pacific Islands toward ratifying and implementing international legal conventions related to transnational crime; and (B) the plans of the United States for assisting countries that have yet to fully ratify such conventions with their respective ratification efforts. (b) Updates of certain reports The Secretary, in coordination with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall identify and update existing reports regarding forms of transnational crime affecting the Pacific Islands, such as— (1) the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report; (2) the Improving International Fisheries Management Report; and (3) the Trafficking in Persons Report. (c) Illegal logging and associated trade (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall submit a report that identifies countries of the Pacific Islands that are countries of concern with respect to illegal logging and associated trade to— (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate (B) the Committee on Finance of the Senate (C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives (D) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives (2) Elements The report required under paragraph (1) shall include a description of— (A) the impact illegal logging and associated trade have had on local communities, good governance, and biodiversity, including an identification of those foreign countries that may be financing or in any other manner supporting illegal logging activities; (B) efforts taken by countries identified under paragraph (1) to comply and take appropriate corrective action to mitigate illegal logging, and an evaluation of the progress of those efforts; and (C) steps taken by the heads of relevant Federal agencies to assist the Pacific Islands in adopting and implementing international measures comparable to those of the United States, such as the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 ( 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq. (d) Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing Section 3553 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 ( 16 U.S.C. 8033 (1) in paragraph (7), by striking and (2) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (9); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: (8) an assessment of gaps or limitations in the ability of the United States to effectively assist priority regions and priority flag States relating to IUU fishing due to resource constraints and the additional resources necessary to overcome those constraints; and . 105. Coordination with regional allies (a) In general The Secretary shall consult and coordinate with regional allies and partners, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, and regional institutions, such as the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Community, with respect to programs to provide assistance to the Pacific Islands, including programs established under this Act, including for purposes of— (1) deconflicting programming; (2) ensuring that any programming does not adversely affect the absorptive capacity of the Pacific Islands; and (3) ensuring that complementary programs benefit the Pacific Islands to the maximum extent practicable. (b) Formal consultative process The Secretary shall establish a formal consultative process with such regional allies and partners to coordinate with respect to such programs and future years programming. (c) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes— (1) a review of ongoing efforts, initiatives, and programs undertaken by regional allies and partners, including multilateral organizations, to advance priorities identified in this Act; (2) a review of ongoing efforts, initiatives, and programs undertaken by non-allied foreign actors that are viewed as being potentially harmful or in any way detrimental to 1 or more countries of the Pacific Islands; (3) an assessment of United States programs in the Pacific Islands and their alignment and complementarity with the efforts of regional allies and partners referred to in paragraph (1); and (4) a review of the formal consultative process required under subsection (b) to summarize engagements held and identify opportunities to improve coordination with regional allies and partners. II Development initiatives 201. Trade development with the Pacific Islands (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the United States should expand bilateral and multilateral trade with the Pacific Islands to promote socioeconomic development and mutual prosperity. (b) Strategy The United States Trade Representative shall develop and implement a strategy to expand and diversify trade and promote regional development with the Pacific Islands, including through negotiating trade and investment framework agreements. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the United States Trade Representative shall submit a report containing the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (b) to— (A) the Committee on Finance of the Senate (B) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives (2) Matters to be included The report required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) an assessment of the readiness of countries in the Pacific Islands to enter into enhanced trade relationships with the United States, including with respect to reducing or eliminating tariff and nontariff barriers inhibiting progress towards deepening trade relationships; (B) a review of existing regional multilateral and bilateral trade agreements and preference programs involving the Pacific Islands and their impacts on regional trade and development; and (C) an identification of opportunities to work with existing regional frameworks to increase trade and economic integration with the Pacific Islands. (d) Briefing required on Pacific Islands trade preferences (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the United States Trade Representative shall provide a briefing to the congressional committees referred to in subsection (c)(1) regarding the use of the Generalized System of Preferences under title V of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq. (2) Matters to be included The briefing required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) a review of the usage of the Generalized System of Preferences by the Pacific Islands over the past 20 years, including the value and types of goods traded under the program; (B) an analysis of United States trade with the Pacific Islands covered under the Generalized System of Preferences compared to trade with the Pacific Islands not conducted under any trade preference program; (C) an assessment of why the Pacific Islands underutilizes the Generalized System of Preferences in trade with the United States; and (D) recommendations for how the United States Government can further assist the Pacific Islands in utilizing the Generalized System of Preferences. (3) Update The Trade Representative shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees an updated briefing under this subsection not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 202. Trade capacity building initiative for the Pacific Islands (a) In general The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, shall develop and implement a trade capacity building initiative for the Pacific Islands. (b) Elements and conduct of initiative The initiative developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall— (1) include an initial, public assessment of— (A) economic opportunities for which United States businesses, or those of other like-minded partners, would be competitive; and (B) legal, economic, governance, infrastructural, or other hurdles limiting United States investment in the Pacific Islands; (2) develop human and institutional capacity and infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies, including digital connectivity and cybersecurity; (3) assist with development and implementation of regional and international trade agreements, including the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade Facilitation and facilitation of intraregional trade flows; (4) support women-owned enterprises and gender equality; and (5) promote government policies that encourage free and fair competition, sound governance, environmental protection, and business environments conducive to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. (c) United States Commercial Service presence The Secretary of Commerce shall expand the presence of the United States Commercial Service in the Pacific Islands and allocate additional Foreign Commercial Service Officers to the Pacific Islands, including by elevating existing partner posts and establishing new Commercial Service posts and partner posts— (1) to explore opportunities for United States private sector investment; (2) (A) to examine regulations in host countries in the Pacific Islands that may hinder foreign direct investment, including regulations related to human rights, labor rights, and environmental protection; and (B) to provide technical assistance when requested by such host countries; and (3) to report on the commercial and investment activities of non-allied foreign actors in the Pacific Islands. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section. 203. Emergency preparedness initiative for the Pacific Islands (a) In general The Administrator shall develop and implement an initiative to assist the Pacific Islands in enhancing their preparedness for, and resilience to, natural disasters and other emergencies. (b) Conduct of program The program developed under this section shall include— (1) education and training programs on natural disaster prevention and preparedness for emergency management professionals in the Pacific Islands, including by leveraging the expertise of nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education in the United States; (2) technical assistance, including through grants and cooperative agreements for qualified United States and local nongovernmental organizations, to enhance early warning systems, emergency management and preparedness procedures, and post-disaster relief and recovery; and (3) coordination of existing disaster mitigation and response plans in the Pacific Islands region, including by United States allies and partners in the region. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report regarding the program developed pursuant to this section to— (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate (B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate (C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives (D) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives (2) Matters to be included The report required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) an assessment of disaster risks in the Pacific Islands and existing local and regional capacity to respond to such risks; (B) a review of existing efforts by United States allies and partners to provide assistance and training for natural disaster preparedness and emergency management; and (C) objectives, means of implementation, and measures of success for the initiative. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $40,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section. 204. Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the presence of the Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands should be expanded by reopening its programs in as many of the Pacific Islands as possible, including where it has previously operated but has suspended operations; (2) consulting like-minded regional allies and partners, such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Taiwan, is crucial for identifying and overcoming challenges for increased Peace Corps presence in the Pacific Islands; (3) the Peace Corps, whose mission is, in part, to promote world peace and friendship by helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the American people with the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau; and (4) the Peace Corps should promptly reopen its programs in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes— (1) a comparative analysis of the presence of the Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands region to other regions of the world, including a cost-benefit analysis of placement in the Pacific Islands region versus elsewhere; (2) an analysis of current impediments to Peace Corps expansion in the Pacific Islands region; (3) outcomes of consultations among United States agencies, and with regional allies and partners, on areas in which cooperation can reduce factors limiting Peace Corps expansion, particularly those related to medical transportation and personal safety; and (4) a plan and timeline for implementing outcomes identified under paragraph (3) to facilitate the expansion of the Peace Corps presence in the Pacific Islands region, as appropriate. 205. Public health in the Pacific Islands (a) In general The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary, shall develop and implement a strategy to assist the Pacific Islands— (1) to improve public health outcomes; and (2) to build public health capacity, including in response to the COVID–19 pandemic. (b) Conduct of strategy The strategy developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall include— (1) programming, including grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance that the Administrator determines appropriate, to assist in building local capacity to address— (A) maternal and child health; (B) family planning and reproductive health; (C) gender-based violence; (D) food security and nutrition; (E) non-communicable diseases; (F) communicable diseases, including neglected tropical diseases, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sexually-transmitted infections, and zoonotic and emerging infectious disease threats; (G) equitable access to quality, essential, and affordable health services and quality-assured, safe, effective medical products and their appropriate use; and (H) water, sanitation, and hygiene; (2) technical assistance to strengthen local health system capacity and resilience in the areas of— (A) good leadership and governance; (B) sustainable financing; (C) interoperable information systems and high quality data for decision making; (D) efficient medical products and supply chain systems; and (E) management of human resources for health, with special attention to increasing health worker performance, retention, productivity, number, skill mix, and competency, including through exploring opportunities such as private sector engagement and digital health integration and access; and (3) coordination with existing local and regional health sector goals, efforts, institutions, and frameworks. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report to the congressional committees referred to in section 203(c)(1) that contains the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (a). (2) Matters to be included The report required under paragraph (1) shall identify— (A) health care challenges, including health systems strengthening, immunization, noncommunicable diseases, and gender-based violence, in the Pacific Islands; (B) public health challenges and needs related to the COVID–19 pandemic in the Pacific Islands; and (C) objectives, means of implementation, and measures of success for the strategy. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section. 206. Education assistance (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) (A) promoting basic education in the Pacific Islands, particularly in traditionally under-served communities— (i) advances United States foreign policy goals; and (ii) requires a whole of government approach; and (B) the United States Government currently dedicates insufficient resources and attention to assisting with education needs in the region; (2) the Peace Corps alone is insufficient to achieve United States objectives of promoting sustainable, quality basic education; and (3) countries of the Pacific Islands meet the requirements outlined in section 105(c)(4) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2151c (b) Education assistance The President is authorized to provide assistance under section 105 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2151c (1) supporting national nutrition and health programs; (2) working with partner governments to reform policies, improve curricula, strengthen data systems, train teachers, and provide quality learning materials; (3) building new schools and renovating older facilities to ensure safe places for learning; (4) providing individuals, particularly at-risk youth, with relevant education, training, and skills for meaningful employment; (5) removing barriers to entering formal education for out-of-school individuals, assisting in keeping them in school, and providing an opportunity to catch up on schooling for those left behind; and (6) promoting teaching and research exchanges between the Pacific Islands and United States institutions of higher education. (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section. 207. Climate resilient development in the Pacific Islands (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States Government should leverage the full range of authorities and programs available to assist the Pacific Islands in achieving their development goals; (2) United States development assistance should seek to build on existing public and private sector investments while creating new opportunities toward a favorable environment for additional such investments; and (3) United States development efforts should be coordinated with and seek to build on existing efforts by like-minded partners and allies and regional and international multilateral organizations. (b) Strategy The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, shall develop and implement a strategy— (1) to invest in and improve critical infrastructure, including transport connectivity, information and communications technology, food security, coastal zone management, marine and water resource management, and energy security and access to electricity in the Pacific Islands, with an emphasis on climate resiliency and sustainable development; (2) to provide technical assistance to assist local government and civil society leaders assess risks to local infrastructure, especially those posed by climate change, consider and implement risk mitigation efforts and policies to strengthen resilience, and evaluate proposed projects and solutions for their efficacy and sustainability; and (3) to support investment and improvement in ecosystem conservation and protection for the long-term sustainable use of ecosystem services, especially those that mitigate effects of climate change and those that support food security and livelihoods. (c) Conduct of strategy The strategy developed under this section shall be coordinated with like-minded partners and allies, regional and international multilateral organizations, and regional frameworks for development in the Pacific Islands. (d) International financial institutions The Secretary of the Treasury shall direct the representatives of the United States to the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, and the Asian Development Bank to use the voice and vote of the United States to support climate resilient infrastructure projects in the Pacific Islands. (e) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the congressional committees referred to in section 203(c)(1) regarding foreign infrastructure developments in the Pacific Islands. (2) Matters to be included The report required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) a review of foreign infrastructure developments in the Pacific Islands by non-United States allies and partners; (B) assessments of the environmental impact and sustainability of such developments; and (C) an analysis of the financial sustainability of such developments and their impacts on the debt of host countries in the Pacific Islands. (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section. 208. Coordination with other Federal agencies and cooperation and participation of nongovernmental United States entities The Federal officials responsible for carrying out sections 202, 203, 205, 206, and 207 shall— (1) coordinate with existing programs and efforts of relevant agencies of the United States Government, especially with regards to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau; and (2) seek the cooperation and participation of United States private sector, United States nongovernmental organizations, and United States institutions of higher education. III Promotion of shared values 301. Press freedom in the Pacific Islands (a) Finding Congress finds that residents of the Pacific Islands speak 24 official languages and thousands of indigenous or unofficial local languages. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should work with allies and partners, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to provide free or low-cost access to national news wires so the Pacific Islands have greater access to raw news feeds; and (2) it is in the interest of the United States to work with the Pacific Islands to develop regulations to address the licensing and operations of foreign media to build resilience in the media sector to unsanctioned external influence or interference, while respecting free expression and cultivating diverse media voices. (c) Press freedom assistance The President is authorized to provide assistance to promote the dissemination of free and accurate information in the Pacific Islands, including for— (1) media capacity building and education, such as— (A) providing on-site media training tailored to local needs; (B) collaborating with local government and nongovernmental entities to promote media literacy and integrate media literacy into primary education curricula in local languages and dialects to ensure accessibility; and (C) routinizing funding for professional programs, such as the Pacific Islands Journalism Reporting Tour, that bring media professionals from the Pacific Islands to the United States; (2) strengthening and diversifying broadcast content tailored to local audiences, including content broadcast in the local vernacular; and (3) investing in connectivity infrastructure with an emphasis on broadcast radio and transmission. (d) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the implementation of this section. (2) Matters to be included The report required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) an assessment of— (i) the national laws of the Pacific Islands with respect to foreign investment in media and related sectors; (ii) relevant licensing regulations of the Pacific Islands; and (iii) governmental restrictions on free expression that limit the availability of diverse media voices in the Pacific Islands; and (B) analyses of covert efforts by foreign media actors in the Pacific Islands— (i) to influence, shape, or circumvent regulations in the media or telecommunication sectors; and (ii) to co-opt local media and narratives. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section. 302. United States Agency for Global Media (a) In general The Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media shall develop and implement a plan to provide expanded media content to the Pacific Islands and partner with journalists in the Pacific Islands. (b) Briefing required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer shall provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the plan developed pursuant to subsection (a). (2) Matters to be included The briefing required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) an assessment of facilities and costs to expand coverage to the Pacific Islands, including options to utilize Voice of America affiliates; (B) an identification of objectives, means of implementation, and measures of success for the plan; and (C) an assessment on the scope and impact of media training efforts and people-to-people engagements organized by other countries for the Pacific Islands. (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section. 303. Gender equality (a) Statement of policy Congress— (1) affirms the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment to United States policy in the Pacific Islands; and (2) recognizes the work of the existing regional frameworks and platforms on gender equality. (b) In general The Secretary and the Administrator shall— (1) develop and implement an initiative to encourage and support efforts by the Pacific Islands to reduce and combat gender-based violence, in coordination with existing efforts by United States allies and partners and regional organizations; and (2) promote gender equality in political, economic, social, and cultural development programs in the Pacific Islands. 304. Pacific Islands Leadership Development Initiative (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that routinized people-to-people exchange programs to bring Pacific Islands religious leaders, journalists, civil society members, politicians, and others to the United States strengthens existing relationships and advances United States interests and shared values in the region. (b) In general The Secretary shall develop and implement a program to promote educational and professional development for young adult leaders and professionals in the Pacific Islands with a demonstrated passion to contribute to the continued development of the Pacific Islands. (c) Conduct of program The program developed pursuant to subsection (b) shall be implemented on a routine basis and may be carried out through— (1) grants provided on a competitive basis to qualified organizations with demonstrated expertise relating to the Pacific Islands; (2) grants, in amounts not to exceed $50,000, provided on a competitive basis to qualified young leaders from the Pacific Islands for the purpose of carrying out projects dedicated to the improvement of their communities in the Pacific Islands; (3) regional workshops and professional and academic fellowships; and (4) people-to-people exchanges. (d) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the exchange programs for the Pacific Islands region. (2) Elements The report required under paragraph (1) shall— (A) assess the factors constraining the number and frequency of International Visitor Leadership Program participants from countries of the Pacific Islands; (B) identify the resources that are necessary to address the factors described in subparagraph (A); and (C) include a strategy for connecting alumni and participants of the Department of State’s professional development exchange programs in East Asia, such as the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative and the Young Pacific Leaders programs, to enhance inter-region and intra-region people-to-people ties. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section. 305. Civil society engagement and development (a) In general The Administrator shall develop and implement a program to promote the development of civil society in the Pacific Islands for the purpose of— (1) strengthening independent media and press freedom; (2) empowering citizens to freely organize and communicate, including through existing and new civic spaces; (3) strengthening rule of law and increasing government accountability; and (4) promoting democratic political culture. (b) Conduct of program (1) In general The program developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be carried out in consultation with local civil society groups in the Pacific Islands, including civil society groups that represent or work with traditionally marginalized groups. (2) Elements The program developed pursuant to subsection (a) may be carried out through— (A) technical assistance and support, including through training and professional and academic fellowships; (B) grants provided on a competitive basis to qualified civil society organizations for the purpose of carrying out projects and programs dedicated to the objectives described in subsection (a); and (C) grants provided on a competitive basis to qualified United States organizations with demonstrated expertise in civil society development and the Pacific Islands. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the program developed pursuant to subsection (a). (2) Matters to be included The report required under paragraph (1) shall— (A) assess the strength and viability of civil society sectors of the Pacific Islands, including legal, organizational capacity, financial, advocacy, services, infrastructure, and public image sectors; and (B) identify the objectives and measures of success for the program. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section.

Summary: 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, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. The bill requires specified departments and agencies to develop and implement strategies in the region to expand the coverage of the International Law Enforcement Academies program; help build the capacity of local civilian and national security institutions; expand trade capacity and promote regional development; assist in preparing for natural disasters and other emergencies; assist in building public health capacity and improving outcomes, including in response to COVID-19; address climate change, with a focus on improving critical infrastructure and supporting ecosystem conservation efforts; provide expanded media content to the Pacific Islands and partner with journalists; support efforts to reduce gender-based violence and promote gender equality; promote educational and professional development of young adult leaders and professionals; and promote the development of civil society. The bill also requires the Department of State to prioritize efforts to help the Pacific Islands ratify and implement international legal conventions related to transnational crime. The State Department must also coordinate with regional allies and partners in providing assistance to the Pacific Islands. The President may provide assistance to the Pacific Islands to promote quality basic education and to promote the dissemination of free and accurate information.