SPC and Government of Australia hold annual talks

Noumea

Collaboration to get Pacific goods to global markets and the response to cyclone Pam and typhoon Maysak are on the agenda for high-level talks between the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Government of Australia.

Officials from SPC and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are meeting in Canberra over the next two days for their annual consultation to review progress with the Partnership for Pacific Regionalism and Enhanced Development 2014-2023 between SPC and the Australian Government.

The partnership for development covers long-term collaboration to make a lasting difference to the lives of Pacific Island people.

Specific areas of Australian Government support for SPC include strategic planning, public health surveillance, biosecurity and trade.

The Framework for Pacific Regionalism and opportunities for greater technical cooperation between Australia and SPC are also among the topics to be discussed.

As a founding member with a legacy of support spanning 68 years, Australia continues to play an important and ongoing role in support of the Pacific Community.

During his visit, SPC Director-General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, will also meet with the Timor-Leste Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Mr Abel Guterres.

Timor-Leste is due to become the first new member of the Pacific Community since 1983.

Media contact: Julie Marks, SPC Director of Communications,  [email protected], +687 80 74 95

Caption – A girl receives medical treatment on Tanna, Vanuatu, this month as part of stepped up public health surveillance following cyclone Pam.  SPC has been working with the Government of Vanuatu and WHO on the post-cyclone response. Photo: Paul White/SPC

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