Visit To The Pacific Region

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION HONIARA
Visit To The Pacific Region

Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Richard Marles MP, today embarked on his first visit to the region.

He will visit Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, New Caledonia and New Zealand from 5–12 October.

The visit will be an opportunity to establish early contact with leaders in the region and affirm Australia's commitment to enhanced engagement in the Pacific.

Mr Marles will also discuss regional issues of shared interest. Australia will work closely with Vanuatu, as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, and other Forum countries, in implementing the outcomes from the Forum Leaders' meeting in Port Vila in August 2010.

He will have the opportunity to see, first hand, projects funded by Australia's aid program, including a health centre in Solomon Islands and a primary school in Vanuatu.

The visit will help advance Australia's objectives of building peace, security and prosperity in the Pacific region.

ENDS

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