Australia will use the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiji to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing health, economic and security challenges, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.
Asked about Australia’s priorities for the Forum meeting, Wong said Canberra’s focus is on building a stronger Pacific capable of responding collectively to the region’s growing challenges.
“We want a stronger region.
“We want a region which is able to deal with the very large challenges which we know we are experiencing, whether they are the health challenges that we’re discussing today, the economic challenges which we know about, or the geopolitical reality, which is we live in a much more uncertain world,” Wong told Journalists in a press conference in Suva.
Wong said regional cooperation remains critical to maintaining peace, stability and economic resilience across the Pacific.
“Regionalism is one of the ways we can assure peace and security and stability in our region, which is, of course, a platform for stronger economies and healthier communities.”
Wong described the meeting as taking place at a critical time for the region.
“As you know, I’m also here for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting. This does come at a critical time for our region.”
“In an increasingly uncertain world, it is more important than ever that Pacific countries work together, work together to ensure that the future of our region is determined by our people,” she said.
She said the Forum remains central to regional cooperation.
“The Forum is central to this. It brings all 18 members together, and coming together we have a stronger voice in the issues that matter to us.”
Wong said Australia will continue investing in partnerships across the Pacific based on trust and cooperation.
“We know that relationships are built on trust, and Australia has been working to build that trust, strengthening relationships and transforming our partnerships across the Pacific.
“We are investing in practical cooperation that helps deliver security, economic opportunity and resilience for all Pacific Island countries.”
“In a more contested world, in a more uncertain world, these relationships matter. It is how countries make their own choices through partnership and not coercion.”
“So, Australia will continue working with Fiji and Pacific partners to help achieve a region that is peaceful, that is stable and that is prosperous” said Wong.
