New Delhi: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Tonga as the Pacific Islands Forum’s Leaders’ Meeting takes place between 27 and 29 August, with discussions focused on climate resilience, education, health, and regional security, an Australian government release stated.
The PIF Leaders’ Meeting is the most important annual gathering of all PIF member states, and this will be Prime Minister Albanese’s third visit as a leader of the forum. He will be joined by the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, the release added.
The forum will also discuss ways to safeguard the region’s collective prosperity and security, which Prime Minister Albanese says is critical to ensuring sustainable development for Pacific Island communities. “Australia understands that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of Pacific Island communities,” he added.
Albanese thanked Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku for hosting the PIF and reiterated faith in Hu’akavameiliku’s leadership.