Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs William Russo will travel to Honolulu, Fiji, and New Zealand from June 2 to 10, 2023. This trip, his first as Assistant Secretary, highlights the importance of our partnerships across the Pacific and of public affairs and public diplomacy to that partnership.
In Honolulu, Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with Deputy Commander of INDOPACOM General Stephen Sklenka, join briefings on regional priorities, and visit Public Affairs Officers from the component commands. Additionally, Assistant Secretary Russo will engage in a roundtable with researchers and academics from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and the East-West Center.
In Fiji, Assistant Secretary Russo will meet with journalists, media representatives, and exchange alumni to explore how the U.S. can help support a free and open media environment in Fiji in the wake of the recent repeal of the Media Industry Development Act that had constrained independent journalism.
In New Zealand, Assistant Secretary Russo will visit both Auckland and Wellington to engage with members of the Young Pacific Leaders program, meet with a range of media experts who focus on the Pacific region, and visit Massey University, home to one of the country’s premiere journalism schools.
Follow along on Twitter at @GPA_AS.
Source: Office of the Spokesperson