Launched in 2022, The Pacific Islands Matter for America/America Matters for the Pacific Islands explores the important and multi-faceted relationship between the United States and the Pacific Island countries, including the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau as well as the US territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam at the national, state, and local levels.

The United States has interests and relations across the Pacific Islands region. The highlighted portions of the publication's cover map denote the eleven US territories and three countries with which the US has Compacts of Free Association.

Funding for this project was provided by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs.

This project consists of a publication, online articles, data visualizations, and information about the US-Pacific Islands relationship.

East-West Center

The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the US Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center’s Washington, DC office focuses on preparing the United States for an era of growing Asia Pacific prominence.

The Center is an independent, public, nonprofit organization with funding from the US government, and additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments in the region.

The views expressed in articles by external contributors are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the East-West Center or any organization with which the author is affiliated.

Office of Insular Affairs

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carries out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the insular areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube @InsularAffairs.

Project Staff

Director: Satu Limaye, PhD

Coordinators: Caitlin Brophy, Michele Helen Reyes, Marc Jaffee, and Amy Namur

Publication Additional Research and Support: Sabrina Greene, Angus Lam, Ryan Roden, Lily Schlieman, Jeanette Simmons, Peter Valente, Ruivaldo Freitas Viana, Sarah Wang, Julia Wargo, Kristin Wilson, Ryan Woock

Notes on Methodology