US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to attend Pacific Islands Summit

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is expected to arrive in Tonga on August 28 as part of a Pacific tour that will also include visits to Vanuatu and New Zealand. Campbell will attend the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, hosted by Tonga and chaired by Tongan Prime Minister Huakawemeliku.

In Nuku’alofa, Campbell will lead a U.S. delegation to engage with Pacific Island leaders to advance the U.S. Pacific Partnership strategy. The visit underscores the U.S. commitment to deepening engagement with Pacific Island nations, particularly given the region’s growing geopolitical importance.

The forum provides Campbell with a platform to discuss key issues with Pacific leaders, highlighting U.S. support for regional stability, climate change initiatives, and sustainable development. His participation in the forum is a continuation of momentum established during the September 2023 U.S. Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Washington, D.C., and the 13th Pacific Arts and Culture Festival in Hawaii in June 2024.

Campbell’s visit to Tonga is part of a broader U.S. effort to strengthen ties with Pacific Island nations, promote cooperation and address common challenges. After visiting Tonga, Campbell will continue his Pacific tour to Vanuatu and New Zealand to strengthen U.S. ties in the region.