Visit to Vanuatu to attend the Pacific Community Ministerial Conference

Tonight I will travel to Vanuatu to attend the Pacific Community (SPC) Ministerial Conference, the first in-person SPC conference since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia is a proud founding member of the SPC, the largest scientific and technical regional organisation in the Pacific.

I am pleased to be joining ministers and senior representatives from all Pacific Island countries and territories, along with New Zealand, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, to commemorate 75 years since the SPC was established.

The conference is an important opportunity for the Pacific family to come together and discuss how we can strengthen our development and economic partnerships.

This visit will also be the first by an Australian minister to Vanuatu since its national election.

I look forward to meeting with my Vanuatu ministerial counterparts in the new Government to discuss our shared challenges and opportunities, including security cooperation, infrastructure and economic recovery, and real climate action.

Australia is committed to working together with Vanuatu in the interests of a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Pacific.