The CONVENE Act of 2023 gives the U.S. State Department permission to work directly with three Pacific island nations—Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau—to help them set up or improve their national security systems. Specifically, the State Department can advise these countries on how to create or strengthen a national security council, which is basically a government body that coordinates decisions on defense and security matters. This is the kind of institutional support the U.S. typically offers to allied nations to help them manage their own security challenges more effectively.

The bill also requires the State Department to regularly report back to Congress about how these three countries are doing with their national security councils. This keeps Congress informed about the progress of these partnerships and ensures there's oversight of how the U.S. is spending resources on this international engagement. For the island nations involved, this means access to American expertise and guidance on building stronger security infrastructure, which can help them better protect their interests in the Pacific region.

CONVENE Act of 2023

Ernst, Joni

Connecting Oceania’s Nations with Vanguard Exercises and National Empowerment Act of 2023 or the CONVENE Act of 2023This bill authorizes the Department of State to consult and engage with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau to advise and provide assistance to a national security council or to identify a similar coordinating body for national security matters. The State Department shall periodically report to Congress on the status of national security councils in these countries.