Over the next day and a half, I will take part in a series of meetings with Pacific counterparts to strengthen economic and bilateral relations in our region.
This is about forging even closer ties with our Pacific partners.
Economic security and resilience are central to the stability of our region and that’s the focus of these meetings as we work to build a more prosperous future for the Pacific.
The Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) is the Pacific’s preeminent gathering of economic ministers, held annually to discuss the key economic and socio‑economic challenges facing the region.
This will be the first time an Australian Treasurer has travelled to the Pacific to attend this forum in almost two decades.
Over the next day and a half, I will take part in a range of discussions including on economic resilience, climate change, climate financing, economic development, the global outlook, sustainable finance and Pacific banking.
While in the Pacific, I will meet with Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad, Samoa’s Finance Minister Lautimuia Uelese Va’ai, Tonga’s Minister for Finance Tiofilusi Tiueti and Tuvalu’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Panapasi Nelesone.
Volatility in the global economy, the shifting geostrategic environment and the impacts of climate change, particularly in our region, are complex and confronting.
The Government is committed to supporting a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Pacific, which is also critical for our prosperity here at home.
This is an important opportunity to confer with our Pacific partners on the big challenges and opportunities for our region in the defining decade ahead.