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Australian Foreign Minister to visit Marshall Islands, Nauru

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AUSTRALIA (Commonwealth Union)_ This week, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in the Marshall Islands to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties. Her landing in Majuro on Wednesday night marked her first trip to the North Pacific since taking the job in May. Wong is returning to the Marshall Islands after accompanying former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on a visit in 2018.

“This week, I will go to the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Nauru to further enhance Australia’s ties with our Pacific family,” Wong said in a statement put on her official website Wednesday afternoon.

“I am delighted she [Minister Wong] will be here in person to commemorate our 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations,” Australia Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Brek Batley said on Wednesday. “She will learn more about the amazing ‘iokwe’ spirit and form new pals.”

Batley is Australia’s first resident ambassador to the Marshall Islands, and in 2021 he will open his country’s first embassy in Majuro. Wong is due to officially open the embassy, which has been in existence since last year.

She will also sign an arrangement to broadcast the first Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio programme in six years on the government’s AM radio station, during her visit.

David Kabua, President of the Marshall Islands, Foreign Minister Kitlang Kabua, and other officials will meet to “address climate action and strengthen our security, environmental, cultural, and economic partnerships.”

“The purpose of this crucial tour is to strengthen our security, environmental, cultural, and economic ties with the Marshall Islands,” stated Batley. “It’s also about strengthening people-to-people ties with Australia, which is the foundation of any lasting partnership.”

The willingness of the Australian Labor Party to address climate change, which Pacific Island Forum countries rank as the top security concern for the island region, removes a stumbling block in Australia’s relationship with the islands, which is especially important for leaders in this atoll nation. The Australian Foreign Minister will make multiple stops in Majuro on Thursday to learn about climate change and the Marshall Islands’ efforts to adapt to sea-level rise.

She will also pay a visit to the Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) canoe building and training programme, as well as give a speech to students and employees at the College of the Marshall Islands. Minister Kabua will host her at a dinner function in the evening.

Wong is slated to leave for Nauru on Friday morning, where she will meet with incoming President Russ Kun. She will also announce a new collaboration with Nauru and the Australian Football League to support young athletes in Nauru, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji.

The Australian Foreign Minister stated that this is her ninth trip to the Pacific as Foreign Minister, and the first ministerial visit to the Marshall Islands since 2018, “demonstrating the new Australian Government’s passion for our area.” According to the embassy, Wong visited Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand earlier this year.

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