Visit to New Caledonia to Attend the France-Oceania Summit

I will travel to Noumea, New Caledonia, to represent Australia at the Third France-Oceania Summit on 31 July 2009. The France-Oceania Summit is hosted by France and is a forum for strengthening cooperation between France and the Pacific on shared development and security goals in the region.

While at the Summit I look forward to discussing French engagement in the Pacific with representatives of France, the French Pacific collectivities (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna), and other Pacific countries. The Summit discussions will also cover issues of regional importance such as climate change, economic growth, and political and security cooperation.

Australia works closely with France in the Pacific on issues including defence, development coordination and climate change. Australia welcomes France's constructive approach to its engagement with the Pacific, and shares the interest of France and the French collectivities in seeing the collectivities play a fuller role in regional affairs.

This will be my third visit to New Caledonia, my most recent being a brief transit two weeks ago, when I met with the Secretary-General to the French High Commissioner in Noumea, and the new President of the New Caledonian Government Mr Philippe Gomès.

Australia looks forward to furthering the France-Oceania Summit's discussions on regional issues in Cairns next week, when it welcomes Pacific leaders including those of New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting. France will be represented in Cairns at the Post Forum Dialogue.

The France-Oceania Summit is held every three years, with previous Summits held in Paris (2006) and Papeete (2003).

Media inquiries: Mr Kerr's office - 02 6277 4991 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555