US President Joe Biden will host Pacific island leaders at a September 28-29 summit in Washington in what will be the latest US effort to strengthen relations with the countries of the region.

The White House said in a statement that “the summit will reflect the expansion and deepening of United States cooperation on key issues such as climate change and epidemic response, economic recovery, maritime security, environmental protection, and the promotion of freedom and openness.” Indo-Pacific region”. He pointed out that “Biden invited 12 countries from the Pacific Islands to the summit, but did not provide details about the countries that confirmed their participation in the summit.”

This is the first time this summit has been held and was announced in early August, with no date given.

“The summit will reflect cooperation between the United States and the Pacific Islands to create a free and open region,” White House press secretary Karen Jean-Pierre said.

During the summit, Biden will also speak about climate change, which poses an existential threat to these islands threatened by rising water levels, as well as maritime security and the fight against the coronavirus, according to the White House.

In a virtual address to the Pacific Islands Summit last June, US Vice President Kamala Harris announced $600 million in new funding for the islands.