Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the increasing importance of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) during its 53rd meeting in Tonga today. Wong highlighted that achieving shared goals, such as creating jobs, improving healthcare and education, enhancing community safety, and combating climate change, requires unity among Pacific nations.
Wong stated, “We can only achieve our biggest goals by working together. When the countries of the Pacific are united, we can accomplish much more. This underscores the significance of the Pacific Islands Forum.”
The PIF includes 18 members, including Fiji and Australia, and serves as a platform for collaboratively addressing regional challenges and pursuing common objectives. Wong noted that for over 50 years, the PIF has been instrumental in cultivating a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Pacific region, which has facilitated progress.
During the forums this week, Pacific leaders, including Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, are expected to discuss pressing issues. Australia views these discussions as a crucial opportunity to understand the priorities of Pacific nations.
Wong mentioned recent feedback from Pacific countries expressing the need for improved preparedness for natural disasters like cyclones and floods. Responding to these concerns, Australia and New Zealand recently announced a significant investment in humanitarian warehouses across the Pacific to ensure that emergency supplies are readily available.
Additionally, Wong addressed climate change as the most severe and immediate threat facing the region. She assured that Australia is working towards a cleaner energy supply, with plans for 82 percent of its energy mix to come from renewable sources by the end of the decade, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Wong reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Pacific nations in addressing climate change impacts, stating that the Pacific is their shared home. She concluded by expressing hope that through collaboration, the region can remain peaceful, stable, and prosperous for years to come.