Travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, September 13, 2022

Summary

• Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, on September 13 to participate in the 2022 Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) convened by the East West Center Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP).

• She led a high-level U.S. interagency delegation, including representatives from the National Security Council, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of the Interior, USAID, and U.S. Coast Guard.

• At the PICL, the Deputy Secretary highlighted a range of ongoing areas of U.S. partnership with the Pacific Islands and met with PICL leaders on the margins to discuss increasing U.S. engagement with these countries and with the Pacific Islands Forum. She also met with Pacific Islands students and professional fellows to learn about their priorities and concerns.

• The Deputy Secretary’s participation followed her August travel to Samoa, Tonga and Solomon Islands and comes two weeks before President Biden hosts Pacific Islands leaders at the White House for the first U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit. These engagements reflect the United States’ commitment to engage meaningfully with fellow Pacific nations in the spirit of partnership and friendship.