US, Australia commit $580 million in support for Pacific Islands

The United States and Australia have pledged a combined $580 million in funding for the Pacific Islands, as they vie for influence in the region. The Australian government will allocate A$600 million ($430 million) to combat drug smuggling, featuring resources for enhanced aerial surveillance and additional training for police and border officials at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the Pacific is Australia's home and family, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts to combat organized crime.

In parallel, the U.S. State Department announced $150 million in funding, including $60 million to assist Pacific Island countries in tackling the global energy crisis by expanding fuel storage capacity and stabilizing power grids. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed the assistance at the forum, which has been predominantly marked by a dispute over Taiwan's participation.

China, a significant contributor to the Pacific region and considering Taiwan its own territory, has disputed Taiwan's inclusion in the annual gathering of the 18-member forum. Australia and New Zealand announced on Tuesday that the bloc would determine the guest list. The Palau-hosted meeting, kicking off on August 30, is set to continue until September 4.