July 20, 2023 Renewing America’s Compacts in the Pacific: A Conversation with Ambassador Joseph Y. Yun
Ambassador Joseph Y. Yun, lead U.S. negotiator of the COFA agreements, discusses the importance of these compacts and countering Chinese influence in the Pacific Islands.
Lunch will be available after the program.
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
The Heritage Foundation
Featuring
Introductory Remarks by
Description
For nearly forty years, the United States has enjoyed exclusive security agreements with three Pacific Island nations, collectively known as the Freely Associated States. These agreements must be renewed this year—and the clock is ticking before two of the three agreements expire this September. With China increasing its malign influence operations and infringing on Pacific nations’ sovereignty, Congress must not let this once-every-two-decades opportunity slip away by passing and funding the Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreements.
Hear from the lead U.S. negotiator himself, Ambassador Joseph Y. Yun, as he sits down with Heritage’s Jeff M. Smith to discuss the importance of the COFA agreements and countering Chinese influence in the Pacific Islands.
Lunch will be available following the program.
COMMENTARY 3 min read
BACKGROUNDER 34 min read
COMMENTARY 4 min read