Australia to contribute and work with Pacific countries like never before

APIA, SAMOA – 02 JUNE 2022: Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong is visiting Samoa today as Australia looks to “increase our contribution to regional security and work together with Pacific countries like never before”.

Before departing for Apia last night, she said she is travelling to Samoa and Tonga, “to renew and strengthen Australia’s deep ties of friendship and family.”

It is her second visit to the Pacific since being sworn in as Foreign Minister nine days ago. In Apia, she will meet the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi 11 and Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and the visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of Samoa’s independence being celebrated this week.

Against the latest developments as China’s influence in the region intensifies, Wong said of her latest visit, “We understand that we need to work together like never before, for our peoples and for generations to come.”

Samoa’s Prime Minister and delegation meeting the visiting China Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi and delegation in Apia last Saturday.

She visited Fiji last week and Wong said Australia wanted to show it was a reliable and trustworthy partner to Pacific countries and was “determined to make up for” what she described as “a lost decade on climate action”.

“I look forward to listening to leaders in Samoa and Tonga about how the Australian Government can best apply the new energy and resources we are bringing to the Pacific.

“We want to make a uniquely Australian contribution to help build a stronger Pacific family – through social and economic opportunities including pandemic recovery, health, development and infrastructure support, as well as through our Pacific labour programs and permanent migration.

“We will increase our contribution to regional security: we understand that the security of the Pacific is the responsibility of the Pacific family, of which Australia is a part.

“We will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Pacific family in addressing the existential threat of climate change. And we will deepen cultural and sporting ties.”