Today, I will travel to Solomon Islands to represent Australia at the PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting (PPMM).
The PPMM marks five years since the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus began and is the region’s most modern framework for rules-based trade, driving regional economic integration.
As the region's largest economic partner, Australia is proud to be a member.
This meeting will be an opportunity for PACER Plus Members to reinforce our commitment to rules-based trade and vision for free trade and investment across the region at a time of global uncertainty.
This will be my first visit to Solomon Islands as Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and follows my meeting with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele last week to launch the $104 million Adamasia Cable.
Australia is Solomon Islands’ economic, trade, and development partner of choice. I look forward to engaging on skills and job growth, and, in the context of the 16 Days of Activism, highlighting our partnership to combat gender-based violence.
Australia is a partner that Solomon Islands can count on. We work hand in hand because we are a family who share an ocean and a future.