U.S. Engagement in Micronesia: Lessons from Australia and New Zealand

This essay examines Australia’s and New Zealand’s engagement with the Pacific Island countries and offers lessons for the U.S.’s future engagement in the region.

MAIN ARGUMENT
As the U.S. looks to revitalize its engagement in the Pacific Islands region through the U.S.-Pacific Partnership, and enhance its relationship with the Micronesian subregion in Compact of Free Association negotiations, it can learn from Australia and New Zealand, the partners that have long played the most active role in the Pacific. The successes and failures of Australia’s and New Zealand’s increased Pacific engagement suggest five lessons for the U.S.’s relationships in Micronesia: (1) be present in the region, particularly through diplomatic representation; (2) listen to Pacific Island states, particularly their concerns about the growing militarization of the region; (3) coordinate both between U.S. agencies and with partners to avoid duplicating efforts and overwhelming Pacific absorptive capacity; (4) recognize the importance of people-to-people connections, with opportunities to engage the Pacific diaspora and improve avenues for Pacific migration; and (5) be consistent in commitment and policy approach.