“Coming week, I will make my first trip as Foreign Minister to the Republic of Kiribati and my first trip to the Republic of Fiji, where I will be representing the PM at Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ Conference. Both of these trips will take place this week”, said Senator Penny Wong, the Australian minister for foreign affairs.
she added that she will meet with His Excellency President Taneti Maamau and various cabinet ministers during my time in Kiribati.
Towards the beginning of this month, I had the privilege of extending President Maamau a warm welcome in Adelaide. At Tarawa, we will build on our previous conversations about Kiribati’s strategic, economic, and development priorities, and how we can work collectively to take effective action against climate change.
When I am in Fiji, I will have the opportunity to meet with PM of that country, the Honorable Sitiveni Rabuka, and other members of his government to discuss ways to strengthen and expand our vital Vuvale Partnership.
I am excited to participate in the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders Conference in Nadi, where I will have the opportunity to interact with other leaders from throughout the Pacific as we work toward achieving our common regional goal for the Blue Pacific Continent.
As we work together, we can better protect the Pacific. The Commonwealth of Australia eagerly anticipates Kiribati’s return to the fold of the Pacific Islands Forum family.
The Pacific Islands Forum plays an essential role in achieving our shared goal of a secure, economic, and respectful region of the various nations’ sovereignty.
I am interested in hearing from leaders about how we can collaborate to address the climate catastrophe, strengthen our economies after the epidemic, and realize our shared interests in a peaceful and secure region.
