This year in October, Samoa will make history by becoming the first small island developing state from the Pacific to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM).

One of its attendees will be the British High Commissioner to Australia and Head of Oceania network, Vicki Treadell, who is looking to amplify Pacific voices to fight climate change.

“How do we modernise the relationship with the Pacific and keep our diplomatic presence across the Pacific,” she asked.

“To be frank and honest, we took our eye off it in this region. It was a strategic mistake, but we want to re-establish these relationships because they matter,” she said.

SOURCE: ABC PACIFIC/PACNEWS