Sister Cities: A New Era in US Pacific Diplomacy

The Pacific Island countries have emerged as the focus of enhanced U.S. diplomatic and economic engagement in recent years. With their unique cultural heritage and strategic geographic position, these nations play an important role in regional dynamics. Recognizing the rise of Chinese influence in the Pacific region, the United States has realized the need for stronger relationships. To address this, it has launched several initiatives that emphasize not only Pacific economic and maritime security but also vital people-to-people connections within the region.

The U.S.-Pacific Islands Sister City Relationships program, unveiled as part of the 7 for 70 Campaign at the 2023 U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit, offers clear cultural, educational, and economic benefits. The initiative is an excellent starting point, creating valuable linkages between U.S. and Pacific Island cities. However, to fully realize the benefits, the number of sister city partnerships should continue to grow beyond this initial program.

Sister Cities International (SCI) has a stated mission to “create global relationships based on cultural, educational, information, and trade exchanges.” As SCI prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2026, it launched the 7 for 70 Campaign, which will establish seven official sister city partnerships between cities in the United States and the Pacific with support from the U.S. Department of State and the White House National Security Council.

The first sister city partnership was signed at the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in June 2024 between Honolulu, Hawai'i, and Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Three more partnerships are currently being pursued in Papua New Guinea after MOUs were signed between the cities of Port Moresby, Lae, and Madang and the cities of Long Beach, California, Charleston, South Carolina, and Poplar, Wisconsin, respectively.

Sister city partnerships provide a wide range of benefits and collaborative opportunities for the cities involved. The first key benefit of sister city partnerships between the United States and the Pacific Islands is the value of cultural exchange. The initiative provides a unique and natural platform for sharing and appreciating each other’s customs, traditions, and languages through initiatives in art, music, and language. Pacific cities gain the opportunity to engage with the diverse and distinct cultures of U.S. cities, while U.S. cities benefit from a rare chance to connect deeply with Pacific Island cultures, which are often underrepresented or misunderstood within the United States.

For Pacific Island nations, these exchanges play an essential role in highlighting their rich cultural heritage on a global stage. By showcasing traditional dances, handicrafts, ecological knowledge, and languages, sister city exchanges help bring unique Pacific cultures to international attention, fostering a sense of pride in cultural preservation and promoting greater visibility and understanding worldwide.

Moreover, although the United States is technically a Pacific nation, through the state of Hawai'i and the various U.S. territories, many Americans lack knowledge of the Pacific Islands. Through firsthand exposure to Pacific Island customs and values, U.S. citizens can gain a greater appreciation of diverse perspectives, histories, and worldviews. By engaging in shared artistic and linguistic exchanges, cities can foster connections that go beyond mere formalities, creating bonds rooted in a common human experience.

Educational experiences can also be invaluable components of the 7 for 70 sister city partnerships. Previously, sister cities have developed high school and college exchange programs for both students and teachers. The opportunity to study abroad allows students to experience each other’s educational systems and gain a firsthand look at academic practices which can lead to increased self-awareness and improved critical thinking skills, benefiting both American and Pacific students.

Moreover, joint research projects could foster collaboration between students and faculty from both institutions, encouraging the exchange of ideas and expertise. These projects not only enhance academic learning but also promote cross-cultural understanding, as participants work together to address common challenges and explore innovative solutions. Two of the 7 for 70 partnerships have already made progress in the education space. Charleston Southern University and the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in Lae have initiated a partnership, with aeronautics being a potential key area of focus. Additionally, the University of Papua New Guinea and California State Long Beach have signed an MOU to promote further cooperation.

Sister city partnerships between the United States and the Pacific Islands can also foster economic development opportunities. These partnerships serve as a channel for potential investment and global trade, with SCI offering an economic development toolkit that outlines how to explore economic opportunities with partner cities. For example, the partnership between Crescent City, California, and Rikuzentakata, Japan, led to the creation of Rumiano “Kamome” dry jack cheese, made from Japanese salt and Californian dairy. All proceeds from the cheese go toward funding student exchange programs between the two cities.

By utilizing SCI’s economic development toolkit, American and Pacific cities can strategically identify sectors ripe for growth and foster partnerships that attract investment and promote tourism, both of which are beneficial for the participating cities. The Crescent City-Rikuzentakata example, through which a culturally inspired product was created, illustrates how these partnerships can result in tangible economic outcomes. By blending cultural elements from both cities, businesses can create products with unique appeal, increasing market value and consumer interest.

The establishment of sister city partnerships between the United States and the Pacific Island Countries marks a crucial step in strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. Initiatives like the 7 for 70 Campaign promote valuable opportunities to enhance mutual understanding and foster collaboration. By focusing on cultural exchange, these partnerships help bridge knowledge gaps, raise awareness for the Pacific Islands’ rich heritage, and strengthen community connections. Expanded educational opportunities for student and faculty exchanges support and encourage a more interconnected future. Moreover, the economic potential of these strategic partnerships can bolster significant investment and tourism, for the sustainability of Pacific Island economies.

While the 7 for 70 initiative provides a strong foundation for fostering people-to-people ties between the United States and the Pacific Islands, expanding these connections is essential to maximize the benefits of these partnerships and offset growing Chinese influence. Cultivating deeper cultural exchange, educational initiatives, and economic partnerships will contribute to a more resilient, interconnected, and prosperous Pacific region.