The US State Department announced on Tuesday (July 21) that Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale to discuss deepening bilateral relations. They also signed a memorandum of understanding to allow the Peace Corps to return to the islands. The Solomon Islands have also agreed to allow the US Coast Guard to patrol its waters.
According to a statement from the US State Department, Landau and Wale discussed various initiatives aimed at promoting investment in the Solomon Islands during their meeting on Monday (July 20). They also explored potential investments in Bina Harbour, where the Solomon Islands plan to construct a tuna processing plant.
Landau also announced that the US State Department will provide $6 million in new funding to expand the program for clearing unexploded ordnance from World War II in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands were a battleground during the Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II.
Landau expressed his desire to visit the Solomon Islands, stating, “I hope to witness firsthand the historical imprint of our shared sacrifices during World War II.” He currently serves as the Acting Director of the Peace Corps.
Information from the Peace Corps website shows that between 1971 and 2000, over 700 volunteers engaged in education, community development, and public health initiatives in the Solomon Islands. Due to political unrest in 2000, activities were temporarily suspended. The signing of this memorandum of understanding signifies the potential return of the Peace Corps to the Solomon Islands after 25 years.
During his visit to the US, Prime Minister Wale also met with Vice Admiral Thomas Allan of the US Coast Guard, and they are set to sign a ship rider agreement, allowing US Coast Guard personnel to accompany Solomon Islands police officers on patrols in the islands’ waters.
The Solomon Islands government stated that the agreement will be signed in the capital, Honiara, next week, and will enhance cooperation between the two countries in maritime law enforcement and surveillance. Prime Minister Wale emphasized the increasing threats in the Pacific region, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which require strengthened regional security cooperation.
In recent years, the US Coast Guard has expanded its patrol presence in the South Pacific and collaborated with multiple law enforcement agencies to combat illegal fishing activities. In 2022, the Solomon Islands had rejected a request for a US Coast Guard patrol vessel to dock in its ports. Now, under the leadership of Prime Minister Wale, bilateral maritime security cooperation has made significant progress.