Sec. 2. Statement of policy
467 words·~2 min read·
/bill/117/s/1774/is/section-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It shall be the policy of the United States— to elevate the countries of Oceania, including the people and the protection of their cultural, historical, and environmental resources, as a strategic priority of the United States Government in all national security and economic considerations; to promote civil society, the rule of law, and democratic governance across Oceania as part of a free and open Indo-Pacific region; to broaden and deepen relationships with the Freely Associated States of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia through robust defense, diplomatic, economic, and development exchanges that promote the goals of individual states and the entire region; to work with the governments of Pacific Islands countries, Australia, France, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom to advance shared alliance goals of the Oceania region concerning health, environmental protection, disaster resilience and preparedness, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (commonly referred to as IUU fishing ), maritime security, and economic development; to invest in a whole-of-government United States strategy that will enhance youth engagement and advance long-term growth and development throughout Oceania, especially as it relates to protecting marine resources and fisheries, addressing the existential global climate crisis, and strengthening the resilience of countries of the Oceania region against current and future threats resulting from extreme weather and severe changes in the environment that pose a threat to livelihoods, public health, and safety; to participate, wherever possible and appropriate, in existing regional organizations and international structures to support the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and advance the national security and economic goals of the United States and countries of the Oceania region; to deter and combat acts of malign foreign influence and corruption aimed at undermining the political, environmental, social, and economic stability of the people and governments of countries of Oceania; to improve the local capacity of the countries of Oceania to address public health challenges and improve global health security, particularly as it relates to domestic violence, substance use disorders, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular-related diseases, malnutrition, and endemic tropical diseases, as well as global pandemic diseases, such as coronaviruses, influenza viruses, HIV/AIDS, and the Zika virus; to help the countries of Oceania access market-based private sector investments that adhere to best practices regarding transparency, debt sustainability, and environmental and social safeguards as an alternative to state-directed investments by authoritarian governments; to ensure the people and communities of Oceania remain safe from the risks of old and degrading munitions hazards, marine plastics, and other marine debris that threaten health and livelihoods; and to work cooperatively with all governments in Oceania to promote the dignified return of all the remains of members of the United States Armed Forces that are missing in action from previous conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region.