Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wednesday welcomed Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister, Simon Kofe, to Adelaide.
“I was delighted to meet Minister Kofe again, after my visit to Tuvalu in April,” Wong said.
Minister Kofe’s visit was an opportunity to build on Australia and Tuvalu’s strong development and defence cooperation, people-to-people ties and discuss our shared aspiration for a safe, prosperous and resilient Blue Pacific,” Wong said.
Alongside all Pacific leaders, Australia recognises climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific.
“Australia is proud to be supporting Tuvalu’s Coastal Adaptation Project, to protect Tuvalu from the impact of rising sea levels and cyclones.
“Australia is providing an estimated $17.1 million (US$11 million) in Official Development Assistance in 2023-24 to Tuvalu for education, infrastructure and climate change. Australia is also providing budget support of $9.5 million (US$6.3 million)) to Tuvalu this financial year, including an increase of $5.5 million (US$3.6 million) announced when I visited Tuvalu in April,” Wong said in a statement.
The links between Australia and Tuvalu also include support to manage maritime zones through the Pacific Maritime Security Program, and hosting Tuvaluans participating in the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme, who make contributions to the economies of both countries.
“During his visit to Adelaide, Minister Kofe and I toured the Nature of Culture Exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia. It was an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of Australia’s First Nations peoples to our international ties and the Pacific region,” she said.
SOURCE: DFAT/PACNEWS
