tention to increasing health worker performance, re-
tention, productivity, number, skill mix, and com-
petency, including through exploring opportunities 
such as private sector engagement and digital health 
integration and access; 
(3) coordination with existing local and regional 
health sector goals, efforts, institutions, and frame-
works; and 
(4) investment in and improvement of critical 
infrastructure, including hospitals, health clinics and 
pharmacies in the Pacific Islands. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
on the implementation of this section. 
SEC. 202. ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE FREEDOM OF THE 
PRESS. 
The Secretary of State is authorized to provide assist-
ance to promote the dissemination of free and accurate 
information in the Pacific Islands, including for the fol-
lowing purposes: 
(1) Media capacity building and education, in-
cluding to— 
(A) provide on-site media training tailored 
to local needs; 
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(B) collaborate with local government and 
nongovernmental entities to promote media lit-
eracy and integrate media literacy into primary 
education curricula in local languages and dia-
lects to ensure accessibility; and 
(C) routinize funding for professional pro-
grams, 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. 
(3) Investing in connectivity infrastructure with 
an emphasis on broadcast radio and transmission. 
SEC. 203. INDO-PACIFIC MEDIA ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall con-
tinue to implement and develop the Indo-Pacific Media 
Advancement Program to promote a robust, free media 
in the Pacific Islands and strengthen the capacity of 
media outlets and journalists in the Indo-Pacific region 
to develop their business strategies, enhance their ability 
to 
conduct 
independent 
journalism, 
and 
counter 
disinformation. 
(b) GOALS.—The goals of the Indo-Pacific Media Ad-
vancement Program shall be to accomplish the following: 
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(1) Increase the understanding of prevalent 
misinformation and disinformation narratives. 
(2) Develop the capacity of professional, inde-
pendent media organizations and journalists to de-
velop and implement media sustainability plans, im-
prove business operations, and increase the quality 
and quantity of published information and news. 
(3) Expand media outlets’ access to resources, 
content-sharing agreements, and equipment, so that 
such outlets can provide quality content. 
(4) Develop the technical and investigative 
skills of journalists to conduct pre-bunking, fact- 
checking, and debunking to address misinformation 
and disinformation. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
coordination with the heads of other Federal departments 
or agencies, as appropriate, shall submit to the appro-
priate congressional committees a report on the Indo-Pa-
cific Media Advancement Program and the engagement of 
the United States with the free media in the Pacific Is-
lands, including the following: 
(1) An overview of the media and journalism 
landscape in the Pacific Islands. 
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(2) A review of the efforts and planned efforts 
of the United States Government to strengthen free 
and independent media in the Pacific Islands, in-
cluding a description of the objectives, means of im-
plementation, and measures of success of the Indo- 
Pacific Media Advancement Program. 
(3) An assessment of challenges to a free and 
open media in the Pacific Islands and to the imple-
mentation of the Indo-Pacific Media Advancement 
Program, including strategies to mitigate such chal-
lenges. 
(4) An assessment of any additional authorities 
or resources necessary for more robust United 
States engagement to promote a free media in the 
Pacific Islands and greater implementation of the 
Indo-Pacific Media Advancement Program. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated $4,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2026 through 2033 to carry out this sec-
tion. 
SEC. 204. PROGRAM TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL AND PRO-
FESSIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT 
FOR 
YOUNG 
ADULT LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that routinized people-to-people exchange programs 
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to bring Pacific Islands religious leaders, journalists, civil 
society members, politicians, and others to the United 
States, as well as supporting similar exchange participants 
from the United States to the Pacific Islands, strengthens 
existing relationships and advances United States inter-
ests and shared values in the region. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall de-
velop 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 
under this section 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, voca-
tional, and academic fellowships; and 
(4) people-to-people exchanges. 
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(d) BRIEFING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of State, acting through the Assistant Sec-
retary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
should brief the appropriate congressional commit-
tees on exchange programs for the Pacific Islands 
region. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The briefing required by 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) an assessment of any factors con-
straining the number and frequency of Inter-
national Visitor Leadership Program partici-
pants from countries of the Pacific Islands; 
(B) an identification of resources that are 
necessary to address the factors described in 
subparagraph (A); and 
(C) a strategy for connecting alumni and 
participants of the Department of State’s pro-
fessional development exchange programs in 
East Asia, such as the Young Southeast Asian 
Leaders Initiative and the Young Pacific Lead-
ers programs, to enhance interregion and 
intraregion people-to-people ties. 
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SEC. 205. EDUCATION ASSISTANCE. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) promoting basic education in the Pacific Is-
lands, particularly in traditionally underserved com-
munities, advances United States foreign policy 
goals and requires a whole of government approach, 
and the United States Government currently dedi-
cates 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 sus-
tainable, quality basic education; and 
(3) countries of the Pacific Islands meet the re-
quirements outlined in subsection (c)(4) of section 
105 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
U.S.C. 2151c). 
(b) EDUCATION ASSISTANCE.—The President is au-
thorized to provide assistance under section 105 of the 
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c) to pro-
mote sustainable, quality basic education in the Pacific Is-
lands, including for the following purposes: 
(1) Supporting national nutrition and health 
programs. 
(2) Working with partner governments to re-
form policies, improve curricula, strengthen data 
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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 edu-
cation for out-of-school individuals, assisting in 
keeping them in school, and providing an oppor-
tunity to catch up on schooling for those left behind. 
(6) Promoting teaching and research exchanges 
between the Pacific Islands and United States insti-
tutions of higher education, including community 
colleges. 
SEC. 206. PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES. 
The Secretary of State and Administrator of the 
United States Agency for International Development shall 
continue to administer and expand programs fostering 
people-to-people ties between the United States and Pa-
cific Islands, including— 
(1) the Youth Ambassadors Program in the Bu-
reau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; 
(2) the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs; 
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(3) the Minority Serving Institutions Partner-
ships Initiatives to the Pacific; 
(4) the U.S.-Pacific Institute for Rising Lead-
ers Fellowship; and 
(5) the Global STEM Development Scholarship 
Program. 
SEC. 207. PACIFIC ISLANDS TRADES PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the 
United States Agency for International Development shall 
establish a program, to be known as the ‘‘Pacific Islands 
Training and Resources for Advancement in Development, 
Education, and Skills Program’’ or the ‘‘Pacific Islands 
TRADES Program’’, to, through scholarships, training 
from such agency, and grants to partner organizations, 
assist with workforce development in the Pacific Islands 
to— 
(1) increase the capacity of the local workforce 
through medium- and long-term training and tech-
nical assistance in sectors of critical importance to 
the Pacific Islands, such as construction, tourism, 
boat maintenance, and fisheries; 
(2) balance maximizing workforce retention in 
the Pacific Islands with any necessary training out-
side of the Pacific Islands, with a focus on avoiding 
exacerbating outward labor flows; 
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(3) keep Pacific priorities in mind by coordi-
nating with like-minded allies and partners and 
working with local organizations and governments; 
and 
(4) provide resources for technical and manage-
ment skills development to adequately prepare the 
workforce of the Pacific Islands for any potential in-
coming investment. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
on the Pacific Islands TRADES Program, including the 
following: 
(1) A comprehensive overview of such program. 
(2) An identification of the office overseeing 
such program. 
(3) A list of any partner organizations involved 
in such program. 
(4) A description of the training and workforce 
development planned as part of such program. 
(5) An assessment of the impact of such pro-
gram. 
(6) Any additional resources needed to imple-
ment such program. 
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(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each 
of the fiscal years 2026 through 2033 to carry out this 
section. 
SEC. 208. INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the United States International Develop-
ment Finance Corporation has a dual mandate to 
advance United States foreign policy and make de-
velopment-focused investment around the world with 
a focus on communities most in need; 
(2) the United States International Develop-
ment Finance Corporation must enter into an in-
vestment incentive agreement with a jurisdiction’s 
government in order to pursue development projects 
in that jurisdiction; 
(3) the market-based private sector development 
and inclusive economic growth of Solomon Islands 
and the Republic of Vanuatu are in the United 
States foreign policy interest; 
(4) the United States International Develop-
ment Finance Corporation has not entered into in-
vestment incentive agreements with the government 
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of Solomon Islands or with the government of the 
Republic of Vanuatu; and 
(5) the inability of the United States Inter-
national Development Finance Corporation to sup-
port investments in Solomon Islands and the Repub-
lic of Vanuatu undermines United States policy to 
provide countries a robust alternative to state-direct 
investments by authoritarian governments and 
United States strategic competitors. 
(b) INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS.—The Chief Execu-
tive Officer of the United States International Develop-
ment Finance Corporation, in coordination with the Sec-
retary of State, shall continue and prioritize efforts to 
enter into investment incentive agreements with the gov-
ernments of those Pacific Islands in which the United 
States International Development Finance Corporation is 
otherwise authorized to operate under the BUILD Act of 
2018 (22 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.). 
(c) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of 
State, in coordination with the Administrator of the 
United States Agency for International Development, the 
Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chief Executive Officer 
of the United States International Development Finance 
Corporation, as appropriate, is authorized to provide tech-
nical assistance to assist the Pacific Islands in negotiating 
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and executing investment incentive agreements with the 
United States International Development Finance Cor-
poration. 
SEC. 209. COMMITTEE ON ENGAGEMENT WITH CIVIL SOCI-
ETY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PACIFIC IS-
LANDS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of State, in co-
ordination with the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development and the Secretary 
of Defense, shall establish a committee, to be known as 
the ‘‘Committee on Engagement with Civil Society Organi-
zations in the Pacific Islands’’ (referred to in this sub-
section as the ‘‘Committee’’) for the purposes of— 
(1) coordinating interagency engagement with 
civil society organizations in the Pacific Islands; 
(2) coordinating collaboration with United 
States partners and allies on engagement with civil 
society organizations in the Pacific Islands; and 
(3) aligning such engagement with the needs of 
the Pacific Islands and the national security prior-
ities of the United States. 
(b) STRATEGY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Committee shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
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strategy on engagement with civil society organizations in 
the Pacific Islands, including— 
(1) a review of current efforts across the United 
States Government to engage with such organiza-
tions, including the role of such efforts in the deliv-
ery of foreign aid to communities; 
(2) a plan for engagement across the United 
States Government with such organizations; 
(3) an assessment of the importance of engage-
ment by the United States with such organizations 
and how such engagement aligns with the advance-
ment of Indo-Pacific and Pacific Islands priorities 
within the National Security Strategy, Indo-Pacific 
Strategy, and Pacific Partnership Strategy; 
(4) an analysis of interagency cooperation re-
garding United States engagement with such organi-
zations and specific recommendations for expansion 
and improvement of such cooperation; 
(5) an analysis of the resources needed to bol-
ster and streamline United States engagement with 
such organizations, including any additional statu-
tory authorities or appropriations of funds; 
(6) an analysis of any engagement conducted by 
a country other than the United States with such or-
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ganizations, including engagement that may under-
mine civil society in the Pacific Islands; and 
(7) an assessment of opportunities for greater 
coordination between the United States and like- 
minded partners and allies. 
SEC. 210. AMERICAN SPACES IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop and 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a re-
port on the state of and plans for American Spaces in 
the Pacific Islands, including— 
(1) an overview of American Spaces in the Pa-
cific Islands (including American Corners and Amer-
ican Centers), including an assessment of the cur-
rent and historical programming and resources of 
American Spaces; 
(2) a plan for future American Spaces in Pa-
cific Island countries, including any new develop-
ment or expansion of existing American Spaces, and 
a description of any additional resources needed for 
such expansion; and 
(3) an assessment of the impact of American 
Spaces on American foreign policy and national se-
curity interests, including in comparison to the simi-
lar initiatives of other actors. 
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TITLE III—PEACE AND 
SECURITY 
SEC. 301. BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL CIVILIAN 
AND NATIONAL SECURITY INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, in coordi-
nation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, as appropriate, is authorized to 
provide assistance to build the capacity of local civilian 
and national security institutions of the Pacific Islands for 
purposes of— 
(1) enhancing maritime security and maritime 
domain awareness to address challenges such as ille-
gal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; 
(2) assisting local law enforcement in detecting, 
preventing, and combating trafficking in persons and 
drug trafficking and other forms of transnational 
crime; 
(3) providing essential services to civilian popu-
lations and responding to humanitarian challenges 
caused by natural disasters; 
(4) participating in efforts by regional institu-
tions and frameworks to coordinate and facilitate co-
operation on shared security challenges; 
(5) expanding information sharing and working 
toward operational coordination and interoperability 
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among Pacific Island maritime security forces, in-
cluding through regional fusion centers; and 
(6) providing assistance in legal actions, includ-
ing hiring legal counsel or providing legal support, 
as appropriate, to support the Pacific Islands in de-
fending their rights and interests related to mari-
time security, combating transnational crime, re-
sponding to natural disasters, and participating in 
regional security efforts. 
(b) RELATED PROGRAMS AND AUTHORITIES.—The 
assistance and capacity building authorized by this sub-
section should build on the following: 
(1) The International Military Education and 
Training program. 
(2) The Foreign Military Financing program. 
(3) The Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and 
Civic Aid program. 
(4) The authority to build the capacity of for-
eign security forces under section 333 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(5) The authority to provide excess defense ar-
ticles under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j). 
(6) The National Guard State Partnership Pro-
gram. 
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(7) The International Narcotics Control and 
Law Enforcement Program. 
(c) 
NATIONAL
POLICE
FORCES
AND
COAST 
GUARDS.—The national police forces and coast guards of 
countries of the Pacific Islands are eligible to receive as-
sistance under the programs and authorities described in 
subsection (b) (other than the programs and authorities 
described in paragraphs (1), (4), (6), and (7) of subsection 
(b)). 
SEC. 302. REPORTING. 
(a) UPDATES OF CERTAIN REPORTS.—The Secretary 
of State, in coordination with the heads of other Federal 
agencies as appropriate, shall identify and update the re-
ports described in subsection (b) to include in such reports 
a discussion of forms of transnational crime affecting the 
Pacific Islands. 
(b) REPORTS DESCRIBED.—The reports described in 
this subsection are the following: 
(1) The International Narcotics Control Strat-
egy report. 
(2) The Improving International Fisheries Man-
agement report. 
(3) The Trafficking in Persons report. 
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SEC. 303. INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the Department of State’s International 
Law Enforcement Academies are valuable tools in 
our relationships with other countries and enhancing 
the capacity of foreign criminal justice partners to 
combat transnational crime; 
(2) assistance in combating transnational crime 
is frequently cited as an area of need from Pacific 
Islands leaders; and 
(3) the International Law Enforcement Acad-
emy in Bangkok, Thailand recently widened its audi-
ence to include the Pacific Islands. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal 
agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report— 
(1) detailing training and other activities that 
the International Law Enforcement Academy in 
Bangkok, Thailand has conducted with Pacific Is-
lands participants; 
(2) describing any planned expansions to the 
Bangkok International Law Enforcement Academy’s 
programming, including the Pacific Islands, and any 
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challenges to those planned expansions, including 
any gaps and needs in funding, staffing levels, and 
physical space; and 
(3) assessing the feasibility of continuing to ad-
minister and expand programming for the Pacific Is-
lands through the International Law Enforcement 
Academy in Bangkok, or if the establishment of an 
additional International Law Enforcement Academy 
dedicated to serving the Pacific Islands is necessary, 
and what resources and authorities would be needed 
to do so. 
TITLE IV—RESOURCE AND 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
SEC. 401. TRADE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE PACIFIC IS-
LANDS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the United States should expand bilateral and 
multilateral trade with the Pacific Islands to promote so-
cioeconomic development and mutual prosperity. 
(b) TRADE
DEVELOPMENT.—The United States 
Trade Representative is authorized to expand and diver-
sify trade and promote regional development with the Pa-
cific Islands, including through negotiating trade and in-
vestment framework agreements. 
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SEC. 402. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE FOR THE 
PACIFIC ISLANDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development, in coordina-
tion with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Chief Exec-
utive Officer of the United States International Develop-
ment Finance Corporation, and the Director of the United 
States Trade and Development Agency are authorized to 
implement programming to build trade capacity in the Pa-
cific Islands. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—The activities authorized under this 
section include— 
(1) development of human and institutional ca-
pacity and infrastructure across multiple sectors of 
economies, including digital connectivity and cyber-
security; 
(2) assistance with development and implemen-
tation of regional and international trade agree-
ments, including the World Trade Organization’s 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation and facilitation of 
intraregional trade flows; 
(3) support for women-owned enterprises and 
gender equality; and 
(4) promotion of government policies that en-
courage free and fair competition, sound governance, 
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environmental protection, and business environments 
conducive to sustainable and inclusive economic 
growth. 
SEC. 403. UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL SERVICE. 
The Secretary of Commerce shall expand the pres-
ence of the United States Commercial Service in the Pa-
cific Islands and allocate additional Foreign Commercial 
Service Officers to the Pacific Islands, including by ele-
vating existing partner posts and establishing new Com-
mercial Service posts and partner posts, to— 
(1) explore opportunities for United States pri-
vate sector investment; 
(2) examine regulations in host countries in the 
Pacific Islands that may hinder foreign direct invest-
ment, including those related to human rights, labor 
rights, and environmental protection, and provide 
technical assistance when requested by such host 
countries; and 
(3) report on the commercial and investment 
activities of non-allied foreign actors in the Pacific 
Islands. 
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TITLE V—ENVIRONMENTAL AND 
DISASTER RESILIENCE 
SEC. 501. ASSISTANCE TO ENHANCE PREPAREDNESS FOR 
AND RESILIENCE TO NATURAL DISASTERS 
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES. 
The Secretary of State is authorized to assist the Pa-
cific Islands to enhance preparedness for and resilience to 
natural disasters and other emergencies. Such assistance 
includes— 
(1) education and training programs on natural 
disaster prevention and preparedness for emergency 
management professionals in the Pacific Islands, in-
cluding by leveraging the expertise of nonprofit orga-
nizations 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 organiza-
tions, to enhance early warning systems, emergency 
management and preparedness procedures, and post- 
disaster relief and recovery; 
(3) coordination of existing disaster mitigation 
and response plans in the region, including by 
United States allies and partners in the region; 
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(4) infrastructure development and upgrades to 
improve disaster preparedness and response, such as 
the construction of evacuation centers, flood control 
measures, and communication networks; 
(5) support for local community-based disaster 
risk reduction programs, including the development 
of evacuation plans, training in first aid and emer-
gency response, and provision of emergency supplies; 
(6) technical assistance and training to enhance 
the capacity of local emergency response agencies, 
including search and rescue teams, fire departments, 
and medical personnel; 
(7) provision of critical humanitarian assist-
ance, such as food, water, shelter, and medical care, 
in the aftermath of disasters; and 
(8) support for programs aimed at reducing the 
long-term impacts of disasters, such as disaster risk 
insurance, small business recovery programs, and 
environmental restoration initiatives. 
SEC. 502. CLIMATE RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE. 
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Ad-
ministrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chief 
Executive Officer of the United States International De-
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velopment Finance Corporation, as appropriate, is author-
ized to— 
(1) invest in and improve critical infrastructure, 
including transport connectivity, hospitals, health 
clinics, pharmacies, information and communications 
technology, food security, coastal zone management, 
marine and water resource management, and energy 
security and access to electricity in the Pacific Is-
lands, with an emphasis on climate resiliency and 
sustainable development; 
(2) provide technical assistance to assist local 
government and civil society leaders assess risks to 
local infrastructure, consider and implement risk 
mitigation efforts and policies to strengthen resil-
ience, and evaluate proposed projects and solutions 
for their efficacy and sustainability; 
(3) support investment and improvement in eco-
system conservation and protection for the long-term 
sustainable use of ecosystem services, especially 
those that support environmental resilience, food se-
curity and livelihoods; 
(4) invest in and improve critical telecommuni-
cations infrastructure and cybersecurity; 
(5) foster public-private partnerships and co-
operation among stakeholders to mobilize private 
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sector investment and innovation for sustainable in-
frastructure development and climate resiliency in 
the Pacific Islands; 
(6) provide technical assistance and capacity 
building to local governments and communities to in-
tegrate climate resilience into their infrastructure 
planning and development strategies; 
(7) develop and implement programs that pro-
mote the use of renewable energy and energy effi-
ciency technologies in the Pacific Islands, including 
through investment in clean energy infrastructure 
and technical assistance to local utilities and energy 
regulators; 
(8) work with regional organizations and gov-
ernments to promote the sustainable management of 
marine resources, including through the development 
of marine protected areas and ecosystem-based man-
agement approaches; 
(9) foster partnerships between Pacific Island 
governments and research institutions to build sci-
entific capacity and support research on impacts to 
climate and environment and adaptation strategies 
in the region; and 
(10) promote the use of innovative financing 
mechanisms, such as green bonds and climate risk 
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insurance, to help Pacific Island countries access af-
fordable financing for climate-resilient infrastructure 
development. 
TITLE VI—OCEAN AND 
ENVIRONMENT 
SEC. 601. OCEANS MANAGEMENT. 
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Ad-
ministrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development and the Secretary of Commerce, is author-
ized to— 
(1) support programming that promotes fish-
eries sustainability and marine biodiversity conserva-
tion in the Pacific Islands; 
(2) support the development, adoption, and im-
plementation of regional sustainable fisheries poli-
cies, standards, and regulatory frameworks; 
(3) partner with regional private sector inter-
ests in the adoption and implementation of seafood 
industry fair-labor standards and sustainable fishing 
practices; 
(4) provide technical assistance to assist local 
government and civil society leaders to improve envi-
ronmental and ocean management; and 
(5) provide technical assistance and capacity 
building to improve data collection and management, 
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including through the use of innovative technologies, 
to support sustainable fisheries management and 
biodiversity conservation in the region; 
(6) support the development and implementa-
tion of integrated ocean management and marine 
spatial planning frameworks that incorporate local 
knowledge and community input, promote eco-
system-based management approaches, and address 
transboundary marine conservation challenges; 
(7) support research and monitoring programs 
to better understand changes and challenges to 
oceans and fisheries in the Pacific Islands and to in-
form evidence-based management approaches; 
(8) support regional efforts to combat illegal, 
unreported, and unregulated fishing and promote 
sustainable fisheries practices, including through the 
development of traceability systems and improved 
monitoring and enforcement capacity; 
(9) encourage private sector investment in sus-
tainable fisheries and marine conservation efforts in 
the Pacific Islands, including through partnerships 
with local communities and businesses; and 
(10) promote public awareness and engagement 
on issues related to sustainable fisheries and ocean 
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management in the Pacific Islands, including 
through education and outreach programs. 
SEC. 602. SEA LEVEL RISE. 
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Ad-
ministrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development and the Secretary of Commerce, is author-
ized to provide support and technical assistance to Pacific 
Islands to address the impacts of sea level rise with the 
aim of— 
(1) protecting and mitigating the impacts of sea 
level rise on coastal communities and their econo-
mies; 
(2) protecting and increasing the resilience of 
critical coastal infrastructure; 
(3) preserving Pacific Islands maritime bound-
aries and their entitlements; 
(4) preserving Pacific Islands’ statehoods; 
(5) providing support to Pacific Islands to de-
velop and implement effective and just migration 
policies that address the impacts of sea level rise on 
communities and provide options for those who wish 
to migrate; 
(6) collaborating with international organiza-
tions and Pacific Island to provide humanitarian as-
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sistance to those affected by sea level rise, including 
through access to food, water, and shelter; and 
(7) supporting efforts to build resilience and 
sustainable livelihoods in affected communities, in-
cluding through the development of alternative eco-
nomic opportunities and sustainable agriculture 
practices. 
SEC. 603. ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, AND UNREGULATED 
FISHING. 
Section 3553 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (16 U.S.C. 8033) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (9) as para-
graph (10); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(9) an assessment of gaps or limitations in the 
ability of the United States to effectively assist pri-
ority regions and priority flag states relating to IUU 
fishing due to resource constraints and the addi-
tional resources necessary to overcome those con-
straints; and’’. 
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TITLE VII—TECHNOLOGY AND 
CONNECTIVITY 
SEC. 701. DIGITAL ACCESS AND INCLUSION. 
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Ad-
ministrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development and the heads of the United States Inter-
national Development Finance Corporation, the Millen-
nium Challenge Corporation, and the United States Trade 
and Development Authority, is authorized to provide sup-
port to the Pacific Islands to— 
(1) expand access to high quality broadband 
and telecommunications infrastructure in the Pacific 
Islands; 
(2) partner with regional private and public sec-
tor interests to promote and expand secure and ac-
cessible broadband connectivity; and 
(3) strengthen the private sector and civil soci-
ety’s digital capacity and digital skillset. 
SEC. 702. CYBERSECURITY. 
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Ad-
ministrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development and the heads of the United States Inter-
national Development Finance Corporation, the Millen-
nium Challenge Corporation, the Cybersecurity and Infra-
structure Security Agency, and the United States Trade 
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and Development Authority, is authorized to provide sup-
port and technical assistance to the Pacific Islands to— 
(1) increase adoption of policies and regulatory 
positions that encourage open, interoperable, reli-
able, and secure digital infrastructure; 
(2) increase adoption of cybersecurity best prac-
tices in the Pacific Islands, including through edu-
cation and training programs for government and 
private sector entities; 
(3) assist with the development and implemen-
tation of cybersecurity strategies and policies, in-
cluding incident response plans and risk manage-
ment frameworks; 
(4) promote international cooperation and infor-
mation sharing on cybersecurity threats and inci-
dents; and 
(5) assist in the establishment and strength-
ening of national and regional Computer Emergency 
Response Teams (CERTs) to enhance cyber incident 
detection and response capabilities. 
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TITLE 
VIII—REPORT 
ON 
THE 
STRATEGY FOR PACIFIC IS-
LANDS 
PARTNERSHIP 
AND 
AUTHORIZATION OF APPRO-
PRIATIONS 
SEC. 801. REPORT ON THE STRATEGY FOR PACIFIC IS-
LANDS PARTNERSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date on which the initial report on the progress in imple-
menting the Strategy for Pacific Islands Partnership re-
quired by section 103 is submitted to the appropriate con-
gressional committees, and not later than January 1 of 
each odd-numbered year thereafter, the President, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, the Secretary of Commerce, the Ad-
ministrator of United States Agency for International De-
velopment, the Secretary of Defense, the United States 
Trade Representative, and any other relevant official, shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a re-
port on the progress in implementing the Strategy for Pa-
cific Islands Partnership. 
(b) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—The report re-
quired by subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the security challenges to 
the Pacific Islands, including— 
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(A) an assessment of the status of security 
challenges to the Pacific Islands, including as 
outlined by regional documents such as the Boe 
Declaration on regional security; 
(B) an analysis of demonstrated needs of 
the Pacific Islands for assistance, including ex-
cess defense equipment and related materials 
with humanitarian and development uses to ful-
fill such needs; 
(C) a review of existing security assistance 
programs in the Pacific Islands, including pro-
grams and efforts provided by United States al-
lies and partners; 
(D) a plan for programs for training and 
sustainment 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 assist-
ance and disaster relief, if necessary, through 
the Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic 
Aid program; 
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(G) a review of existing cross-border mari-
time law enforcement operations (commonly 
known as ‘‘shiprider agreements’’) with the Pa-
cific Islands, an assessment of additional 
resourcing needs to enhance operational capac-
ity, and a plan to improve on these programs 
and operations; 
(H) a review of existing National Guard 
State Partnership Programs with the Pacific Is-
lands, an assessment of additional opportunities 
to leverage National Guard State Partnership 
Programs to address law enforcement, disaster 
relief and emergency management, and related 
priorities, and a plan to expand, as appropriate, 
existing and new National Guard State Part-
nership Programs in the region; 
(I) a review of current efforts and progress 
in removing unexploded ordnance in the Pacific 
Islands and an assessment of additional 
resourcing needed to ensure continued progress, 
including to support coordination with regional 
efforts and those of United States allies and 
partners; 
(J) a review of existing regional fusion cen-
ters and other cooperative intelligence sharing 
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efforts in the Pacific Islands to address mari-
time security, transnational crime, natural dis-
asters, and other security challenges and an as-
sessment of opportunities for the United States 
to participate in such efforts, including by allo-
cating staff and supplying resourcing; 
(K) measures to evaluate success for the 
strategy; and 
(L) a detailed assessment of appropriations 
required to achieve the objectives for the strat-
egy in future years. 
(2) An assessment of the diplomatic presence in 
the Pacific Islands, including— 
(A) a description of the Department of 
State, United States Agency for International 
Development, United States International De-
velopment Finance Corporation, Millennium 
Challenge Corporation, United States Trade 
and Development Authority and United States 
Commercial Service presence, staffing, pro-
gramming, and resourcing of operations in the 
Pacific Islands, including programming and 
resourcing not specifically allocated to the Pa-
cific Islands; and 
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(B) a description of gaps in such presence, 
including unfilled full-time equivalent positions. 
(3) A description of coordination with regional 
allies, including— 
(A) a review of ongoing efforts, initiatives, 
and programs undertaken by regional allies and 
partners, including multilateral organizations, 
to advance the priorities identified in this Act; 
(B) a review of ongoing efforts, initiatives, 
and programs undertaken by nonallied foreign 
actors that are viewed as being potentially 
harmful or in any way detrimental to one or 
more countries of the Pacific Islands; and 
(C) an assessment of United States pro-
grams in the Pacific Islands and their align-
ment and complementarity with the efforts of 
regional allies and partners. 
(4) A description of trade capacity building, in-
cluding— 
(A) economic opportunities for which 
United States businesses, or those of other like- 
minded partners, would be competitive; 
(B) 
legal, 
economic, 
governance, 
infrastructural, or other hurdles limiting United 
States investment in the Pacific Islands; and 
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(C) steps the United States has taken to— 
(i) develop human and institutional 
capacity and infrastructure across multiple 
sectors of economies, including digital 
connectivity and cybersecurity; 
(ii) assist with development and im-
plementation of regional and international 
trade agreements, including the World 
Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade 
Facilitation 
and 
facilitation 
of 
intraregional trade flows; 
(iii) support women-owned enterprises 
and gender equality; and 
(iv) promote government policies that 
encourage free and fair competition, sound 
governance, environmental protection, and 
business environments conducive to sus-
tainable and inclusive economic growth. 
(5) A description of trade development, includ-
ing— 
(A) an assessment of the readiness of 
countries in the Pacific Islands to enter into en-
hanced trade relationships with the United 
States, including with respect to reducing or 
eliminating tariff and nontariff barriers inhib-
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iting progress towards deepening trade relation-
ships; 
(B) a review of existing regional multilat-
eral and bilateral trade agreements and pref-
erence programs involving the Pacific Islands 
and their impacts on regional trade and devel-
opment; and 
(C) an identification of opportunities to 
work with existing regional frameworks to in-
crease trade and economic integration with the 
Pacific Islands. 
(6) A description of emergency preparedness for 
the Pacific Islands, including— 
(A) an assessment of disaster risks in the 
Pacific Islands and existing local and regional 
capacity to respond to such risks; and 
(B) a review of existing efforts by United 
States allies and partners to provide assistance 
and training for natural disaster preparedness 
and emergency management. 
(7) A description of activities of the Peace 
Corps in the Pacific Islands, including— 
(A) a comparative analysis of the Peace 
Corps presence in the Pacific Islands region to 
other regions of the world, including a cost-ben-
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efit analysis of placement in the region versus 
elsewhere globally; 
(B) an analysis of current impediments to 
Peace Corps expansion in the Pacific Islands 
region; 
(C) 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 transpor-
tation and personal safety; and 
(D) a plan and timeline for implementing 
outcomes identified to facilitate expansion of 
Peace Corps presence in the region, where ap-
propriate. 
(8) A description of public health and health 
care challenges in the Pacific Islands, including 
health systems strengthening, immunization, non-
communicable diseases, and gender-based violence. 
(9) A description of resilient development in the 
Pacific Islands, including— 
(A) a review of foreign infrastructure de-
velopments in the Pacific Islands by non-United 
States allies and partners; 
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(B) assessments of the environmental im-
pact and sustainability of such developments; 
(C) an analysis of the financial sustain-
ability of such developments and their impacts 
on the debt of host countries in the Pacific Is-
lands; and 
(D) an analysis of the region’s banking in-
frastructure and Pacific Island access to finan-
cial services. 
(10) A description of press freedom in the Pa-
cific Islands, including— 
(A) an assessment of the national laws of 
the Pacific Islands with respect to foreign in-
vestment in media and related sectors; 
(B) relevant licensing regulations of the 
Pacific Islands and governmental restrictions on 
free expression that limit the availability of di-
verse media voices in the Pacific Islands; and 
(C) analyses of covert efforts by foreign 
media actors in the Pacific Islands— 
(i) to influence, shape, or circumvent 
regulations in the media or telecommuni-
cation sectors; and 
(ii) to co-opt local media and nar-
ratives. 
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