The Foreign Minister of Australia Penny Wong will travel to New Zealand and the Solomon Islands this week to discuss climate change and regional security.
Senator Wong arrives in Wellington today and plans to meet with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta on Thursday.
“New Zealand is an indispensable partner in our ambitions for a stronger Pacific family,” Senator Wong said in a statement.
“As part of our discussions, we will consider ways we can work together, to make the most of the new energy and resources the Australian Government is bringing to the Pacific.”
“At a regional level, the number one security issue for the Pacific is the impact of climate change,” Ms Mahuta said.
“I look forward to talking to the new Foreign Minister in more detail on Australia’s climate change agenda, and further ways we can assist Pacific Island nations on mitigation and adaptation measures.”
The agenda also includes discussions on the importance of indigenous perspectives in foreign policy, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and the war in Ukraine.
Senator Wong will travel to the Solomon Islands on Friday, where she will meet with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and a number of cabinet ministers. In a statement released prior to the visit, Australia said that it was committed to deepening cooperation with the Solomon Islands on shared challenges including climate change.
