U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Pacific Islands Partner on Port Innovation

This week, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will bring a delegation of Pacific Island port sector officials to the United States to identify technologies and best practices for strengthening the efficiency and climate resilience of port infrastructure in five Pacific Island countries. The 15-delegate mission includes decision-makers from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Tonga. They will travel to Baltimore, Houston, and Washington, DC, where they will meet U.S. companies, financing institutions and regulatory experts to discuss opportunities, solutions and best practices for developing port infrastructure. They will also tour the Port of Baltimore and Port Houston. Pacific Island economies can face unique challenges due to their size and isolation. Many rely heavily on a few key port facilities, which require efficient, resilient infrastructure to operate at peak capacity and adapt to the impacts of climate change. USTDA’s reverse trade mission will facilitate two-way information sharing on cutting-edge U.S. technologies, best practices and near-term procurement opportunities to increase port connectivity, efficiency, and security. Climate adaptation and resilience technologies will be an area of focus, as Pacific Islands nations are expected to be disproportionately impacted by climate change threats like severe adverse weather events and sea-level rise. USTDA’s reverse trade mission will include a public business roundtable in Washington, DC, on November 8, where U.S. companies can learn directly from the delegation about upcoming commercial opportunities and present their innovative port solutions. For more information, click here. This reverse trade mission supports the Administration’s commitment to enhancing the U.S.-Pacific Islands Partnership, including through the USTDA-led Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative. It also supports the goals of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the Transportation Partnership with the Pacific Islands.