The BLUE Pacific Act is a legislative proposal aiming to strengthen the United States' engagement in the Pacific by focusing on political cooperation, people-centered development, peace and security, economic and environmental resilience, and technology connectivity. It seeks to enhance diplomatic relations, improve trade and investment, support public health and education, promote environmental sustainability, and develop digital infrastructure in the Pacific Islands.

The definitions section of this bill specifies that “appropriate congressional committees” refers to specific committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and lists various countries and territories as part of the “Pacific Islands.”

Congress allows for certain reports required by this Act to be combined into one report if they are due at the same time. Each report, whether individual or combined, must be unclassified but can include a classified section if needed.

Congress acknowledges the strategic importance of the Pacific Islands, committing to enhanced diplomatic and economic partnerships to address shared challenges and opportunities, such as climate change, security, and development, while recognizing climate change as a critical threat as per the Boe Declaration.

The policy of the United States focuses on promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the Pacific Islands by respecting each nation's sovereignty and encouraging sustainable development. It supports regional efforts against natural disasters, strengthens democratic governance, and collaborates with international partners like Australia and Japan to achieve shared objectives.

The President is required to create and submit a "Strategy for Pacific Islands Partnership" by January 1, 2027, and every four years after. This strategy will outline goals, objectives, threat assessments, security plans, infrastructure investments, and development cooperation strategies for engaging with the Pacific Islands. The President should consult with regional organizations, Pacific Island countries, various stakeholders, U.S. allies, and U.S. Pacific territories and states while coordinating the implementation with federal agency leaders.

The bill directs key U.S. government officials, including the Secretary of State and others, to increase staff focused on Pacific Islands issues. It also allows hiring local staff in the Pacific Islands to boost diplomatic and economic ties between the U.S. and the region.

The section requires the Secretary, along with other officials, to submit a strategy to Congress detailing how the United States communicates strategically in the Pacific Islands. This plan should review current communications, assess resources and perception, and provide recommendations for improvement.

The Secretary of State, along with other U.S. officials, will assist Pacific Islands countries by providing support and technical help to access development funds from international bodies like the United Nations. This support includes helping these countries understand grant programs, meet necessary requirements, and manage reporting for international development opportunities. Additionally, the Secretary of the Treasury will encourage U.S. representatives at global financial institutions to support projects that strengthen infrastructure and environmental resilience in the Pacific Islands.

The President is encouraged to work with various government officials and international allies, including countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, to coordinate assistance programs for the Pacific Islands. These programs aim to avoid conflicting efforts, help the islands effectively use the assistance, and align with regional development goals for sustainable growth.

The section allows the United States to extend the legal protections and immunities that it gives to international organizations to the Pacific Islands Forum, similar to how it handles other such organizations with which it works through treaties or specific laws.

The Ambassador’s Self-Help Small Grants Program is a U.S. government initiative aimed at supporting small, community-driven projects in the Pacific region. The program will have $650,000 in funding authorized annually from 2026 to 2033, to help address local needs and enhance the adaptability of U.S. funding resources.

The Secretary of State will appoint a senior official at the Department of State to manage the Compacts of Free Association with certain Pacific countries. This official will oversee U.S. policy, ensure information flow, and supervise operations related to these agreements, with $250,000 authorized for supporting these duties.

The Secretary of State is authorized to help improve public health outcomes and build health capacity in the Pacific Islands by offering support such as grants and technical assistance. These efforts focus on providing essential health services, addressing various health concerns, and strengthening local health systems. Additionally, the plan includes investing in critical infrastructure, and a report on the implementation of these activities must be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

The Secretary of State is authorized to support freedom of the press in the Pacific Islands by providing media training, collaborating with local entities to improve media literacy, and funding professional programs. The plan also includes efforts to diversify broadcast content and enhance connectivity infrastructure, especially for radio.

The Indo-Pacific Media Advancement Program, as outlined, intends to support free media in the Pacific Islands by enhancing the abilities of journalists and media outlets to fight misinformation, improve business operations, and produce high-quality content. The program will receive an annual budget of $4 million from 2026 to 2033 and includes a mandate for the Secretary of State to report on its progress and challenges within 180 days of the Act’s passage.

The bill proposes a program to foster educational and professional growth for young leaders in the Pacific Islands by offering competitive grants, workshops, and exchange opportunities. It also requires a briefing to Congress about existing exchange programs and plans to improve these initiatives.

The section discusses the U.S. Congress's perspective on the importance of basic education in the Pacific Islands and authorizes the President to provide assistance for educational programs there. The assistance aims to support nutrition, health, policy reform, curriculum improvement, teacher training, school infrastructure, relevant skills for youth, and academic exchanges between the Pacific Islands and U.S. institutions.

The section describes how the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development are tasked with continuing and expanding programs that build connections between the United States and Pacific Islands. These programs include initiatives like the Youth Ambassadors Program, the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs, partnerships with minority-serving institutions, the U.S.-Pacific Institute for Rising Leaders Fellowship, and the Global STEM Development Scholarship Program.

The Pacific Islands TRADES Program is established by the U.S. Agency for International Development to enhance workforce development in the Pacific Islands through scholarships, training, and grants. It focuses on increasing local workforce capacity, balancing retention and necessary external training, collaborating with local organizations, and preparing for possible investments. A report on the program's details and impact is required within a year, and $10 million is authorized annually from 2026 to 2033 to support this initiative.

The section explains that the United States aims to enter investment agreements with Pacific Island nations like Solomon Islands and the Republic of Vanuatu to promote economic growth and counter investments from authoritarian countries. It emphasizes the need for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to focus on these agreements and for the Secretary of State to support these efforts with technical assistance.

The Committee on Engagement with Civil Society Organizations in the Pacific Islands is being created by the U.S. government to coordinate and strategize how it interacts with these organizations. The Committee's tasks include reviewing existing efforts, creating a comprehensive plan, assessing its importance, suggesting improvements, understanding needed resources, analyzing other countries’ involvement, and exploring more cooperation with allies.

The section requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress within 180 days about American Spaces in the Pacific Islands, detailing their current status, historical activities, plans for future development or expansion, additional resources needed, and their impact on U.S. foreign policy and security compared to similar foreign initiatives.

The section allows the Secretary of State, alongside the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security, to help the Pacific Islands by improving their local security and civilian organizations. This assistance covers areas like enhancing maritime security, combating crime, providing disaster aid, and encouraging regional cooperation, using existing programs like military training and humanitarian aid.

The Secretary of State, working with other federal agencies, is required to review and update specific reports to include discussions about transnational crime impacting the Pacific Islands. These reports are the International Narcotics Control Strategy report, the Improving International Fisheries Management report, and the Trafficking in Persons report.

The U.S. Congress recognizes the importance of the International Law Enforcement Academy in Bangkok for training foreign criminal justice partners and is focused on its role in combating transnational crime, especially in the Pacific Islands. A report is required within 180 days to outline past training activities, plans for expanding the Academy's programs, and whether a new academy is needed for the Pacific Islands.

The section highlights Congress's view that the U.S. should increase trade with the Pacific Islands to support economic growth and shared prosperity. It also authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to pursue trade expansion and regional development through agreements with these islands.

The section authorizes the United States Agency for International Development, in cooperation with various government departments, to help improve trade capacities in the Pacific Islands. This includes developing infrastructure and skills in various economic sectors, assisting with trade agreements, supporting women-led businesses, and promoting fair competition and sustainable economic policies.

The United States Commercial Service section requires the Secretary of Commerce to expand the presence of the United States Commercial Service in the Pacific Islands. This includes assigning more Foreign Commercial Service Officers to explore investment opportunities, review host country regulations that may affect foreign investments, and report on the commercial activities of non-allied foreign countries in the region.

The Secretary of State can help the Pacific Islands get ready for natural disasters and emergencies by offering education and training, improving early warning and disaster response systems, building better infrastructure, and supporting community programs. This assistance also includes providing emergency supplies, enhancing local emergency response teams, and offering humanitarian aid and long-term recovery programs.

The Secretary of State is authorized to work with various government agencies and organizations to strengthen infrastructure in the Pacific Islands by investing in areas like transportation, health services, and communication, with a focus on climate resilience and renewable energy. This includes providing technical support, fostering public-private partnerships, promoting sustainable resource management, and exploring innovative financing options to enhance the islands' climate adaptability and infrastructure sustainability.

The Secretary of State, along with other agencies, is given the power to support sustainability and conservation efforts in the Pacific Islands by promoting responsible fishing practices, enhancing data collection, involving local communities, educating the public, and encouraging private sector investments. They aim to combat illegal fishing, improve management, and support research to protect marine life and resources in the region.

The section authorizes the Secretary of State to work with other government officials to aid Pacific Islands in dealing with sea level rise by protecting coastal areas, preserving maritime boundaries and statehoods, and supporting migration and humanitarian efforts. It also emphasizes building resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 has been updated to include a new requirement for an assessment. This assessment will identify any gaps in the United States' ability to help certain regions and countries with illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as the extra resources needed to address these issues.

The Secretary of State, working with various U.S. agencies, is authorized to aid the Pacific Islands by improving their broadband and telecommunications infrastructure, collaborating with regional partners for secure internet connectivity, and enhancing digital skills in the region's private and civil sectors.

The Secretary of State, along with other agencies, is allowed to help the Pacific Islands improve their digital security by adopting strong cybersecurity policies and practices, developing response plans for cyber incidents, and promoting cooperation across nations. They will also support the creation and enhancement of teams that respond to cyber emergencies.

The section requires the President to periodically provide a report to Congress on the progress of the Strategy for Pacific Islands Partnership. This report includes details on various aspects like security challenges, diplomatic presence, international cooperation, trade development, emergency preparedness, Peace Corps activities, public health, infrastructure, and civil society engagement in the Pacific Islands. Additionally, it allows for potential recommendations on eliminating duplicative reports after 10 years.

The section authorizes the allocation of $270 million each year from 2026 to 2033 to implement the provisions of this Act and its amendments.