CANBERRA, 09 AUGUST 2018 (DFAT) – Australia foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells visits Samoa today.
“We will visit Samoa from 8-10 August to deepen Australia’s engagement with the Pacific nation in the lead-up to the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
“We will meet Samoan Prime Minister Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to discuss ways to strengthen our security, development and economic cooperation as part of Australia’s stepped-up engagement with the Pacific.
While in Samoa, we will also meet with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Rt Hon Winston Peters to discuss our development cooperation in the Pacific. Together, Australia and New Zealand are responsible for more than half of all aid to the region.
Australia is the largest destination for Samoan goods exports.
“We will meet with Samoan business representatives to explore further links and opportunities for private sector-led growth.
“We will launch a number of Australian-funded initiatives, including phase three of the Australia-Pacific Technical College and the Pacific Aid Map developed by the Lowy Institute and open the Samoa Family Health Association Clinic.
Senator Fierravanti-Wells will lead Australia’s delegation to the Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 10 August, underlining Australia’s enduring commitment to the Pacific Islands Forum.
Australia and Samoa have an enduring relationship that extends across political, security, economic and people-to-people links. We are committed to working with Samoa and other Pacific partners to develop innovative solutions to development challenges
