by Ann Marie Yastishock
U.S Ambassador to Solomon Islands
The U.S. Embassy in Honiara team was privileged to welcome our friends from the Solomon Islands Government, diplomatic community, religious organizations, private business and investment sector, educational and cultural instructions, and civil society to celebrate the 249th birthday of the United States of America last Tuesday evening.
We were also honored that U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRFD) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and Marine Corps Forces Pacific from Hawai’i joined us.
Independence Day is a special day for Americans, and celebrating American Independence Day for the first time since re-opening the U.S. Embassy in Honiara was particularly special for us.
As I reflected on the history of U.S. democracy and our diplomatic mission here in Solomon Islands, I wanted to share my thoughts about the past year and what lies ahead.
Every year on the Fourth of July, we commemorate American Independence Day, marking the moment – 249 years ago – that our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, separating the United States from England.
This act set the United States on its journey in democracy. From that bold beginning, our democratic journey has been defined by growth, challenges, and resilience.
Along the way we’ve learned that democracy is a complex and evolving system shaped by the voices, beliefs, and participation of its people.
And perhaps its greatest strength lies in its ability to adapt, allowing each generation to refine and strengthen it over time.
But like all forms of government, democracy faces challenges. It champions freedom, representation, and equality, but is susceptible to misinformation and slow decision making. It is important that we not mistake imperfect democracies for failed democracies.
The legendary American football coach, Vince Lombardi, said “perfection is unobtainable, but if we chase perfection, we catch excellence.” So, we must continue to strive to perfect our democracies.
This is also a special year as the United States takes part in Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan – an event that gives all our countries an opportunity to highlight what makes us unique among the community of nations.
As a global leader in technological innovation, business, space exploration, cultural achievement, and many other fields, the United States created a USA Pavilion to showcase American excellence as a continuing inspiration to the world, as well as America’s firm commitment to leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The USA Pavillion showcases U.S. achievements, leadership, and ingenuity, and the U.S. Embassy will share inspiring images and resources from it on our Facebook page – @USEmbassyHoniara – for all to enjoy virtually through October.
Next year, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and Americans will reflect not only on our founding ideals, but also on the enduring role of diplomacy in shaping our nation’s journey and global impact.
This milestone reminds the world that the American experiment – our pursuit of a more perfect union – is a living story, continually shaped by the hard work of generations of Americans at home and abroad.
Together, we reaffirm the core belief that diplomacy is a cornerstone of American strength and leadership.
However, America 250 is not just a reflection on the past – it is a launchpad for the future.
Under President Trump’s vision, the United States is forging new partnerships, championing innovation, and defining a new era of diplomacy that will carry us forward for the next 250 years.
As we gather to celebrate American independence and our thriving democracy, I want to recognize Solomon Islands as a democratic partner.
This is more important today than ever as we approach the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in a few short weeks. I encourage you to continue to engage in the shaping of your democracy in line with Solomon Islands values. Values like family, community, religion – values that America shares with Solomon Islands!
The U.S.-Solomon Islands relationship was forged 83 years ago this week when U.S. Marines landed in Guadalcanal and Central Province to defend these islands.
Our presence and the ultimate sacrifice of many U.S. servicemembers secured freedom for all Solomon Islanders, and our relationship has continued to grow since then.
This year, the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency continued its coordination with Solomon Islands Ministry of Culture and Tourism on repatriation efforts.
The United States is grateful for this cooperation, which makes it possible to bring home fallen U.S. servicemember heroes who paid the ultimate price for freedom in Solomon Islands during World War II.
As part of the United States commitment to make more Solomon Islands land safe for agriculture, infrastructure, development, and tourism by locating and destroying unexploded ordnance (UXO), the U.S. Department of State funds HALO Trust to continue survey and risk education efforts.
Since 2011, the United States has spent over $11 million to make Solomon Islanders safer. In addition, U.S. Department of Defense colleagues participated in Operation Render Safe, the largest-ever exercise aimed at removing wartime unexploded ordinances in Western Province.
They did this alongside partners from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The United States also signed a new agreement with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services to build capacity to address the risks of underwater UXO.
While our relationship is rooted in the events of 83 years ago, the United States is looking ahead to a bright future of close partnership with Solomon Islands.
Remembering our deep shared history, reminds us of our shared values as we work towards a shared future that sees our people safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
Last year we visited Central, Malaita, and Western Provinces, and I hope to visit more provinces in the year ahead. We welcomed U.S. government visitors representing Congress, and a team of military doctors and medical professionals who worked side-by-side with Solomon Islanders in Auki, Gizo, Honiara, and Munda.
Together with alumni of U.S. government programs, we visited students to let them know about our educational opportunities.
We also sent professionals representing the Solomon Islands educational, business, media, telecommunications, and ecclesiastical sectors to the United States to network and exchange experiences with U.S. and international counterparts.
In the weeks ahead, Solomon Islanders representing the fisheries, sporting, logistics, and legal sectors, as well as the Parliament, will also participate in programs in the United States.
We brought an English teacher to engage with students representing schools across Honiara, which was a major hit online!
These exchanges reminded us of our wish to bring the Peace Corps program back to Solomon Islands.
So many of you have told us about Peace Corps Volunteers who you learned to love as family when they lived among you in your homes and contributed to your educations and careers.
We would like nothing more than to give today’s Solomon Islander youth the opportunity to benefit from Peace Corps Volunteers as you did.
A Peace Corps program is a tangible symbol of our longstanding bilateral relationship and of U.S. investment in our relationship with you.
I would like to hear your views on this, and I encourage you to let me know if you have tangible ideas of how we can bring this to fruition.
As we celebrate American Independence, let us continue to strive to perfect our democracies, shaped by our own, and our shared, values.
Let us continue to deepen the U.S.-Solomon Islands relationship and continue to share our wonderful cultures with one another.
And let us continue our enduring belief in all that we can accomplish together as two great nations, trusted partners, and friends.
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