At the invitation of Ambassador Charles Paul of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell met with nine Pacific Island ambassadors in Washington today. Assistant Secretary Campbell and Ambassador Paul were joined by ambassadors from Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, the Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands for this inaugural meeting.

Assistant Secretary Campbell and the ambassadors discussed challenges and opportunities in the Pacific region, including enhancing regional cooperation, maximizing the economic benefits from fisheries to support sustainable economic development, and addressing challenges resulting from the effects of climate change in the Pacific region. Assistant Secretary Campbell and the ambassadors committed to continue this dialogue on a regular basis.