Australia outlines ambitious Pacific agenda

Australia’s ambitious agenda for its year as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum was today outlined in an address to the Australian Institute of International Affairs by Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr SC.

In a wide ranging speech, Mr Kerr discussed the outcomes of the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting, hosted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Cairns. He highlighted the meeting’s key themes of building regional economic resilience, responding to climate change, and improving coordination of development assistance, setting out Australia’s commitment to supporting better outcomes in these areas for its Pacific neighbours.

The address also covered Forum Leaders’ agreements to commence regional trade negotiations under PACER Plus; strengthen protection and management of fisheries resources; and address sexual and gender-based violence in the region.

“The Australian Government will use the coming year to take a leading role in making progress on key challenges for the Pacific region – both through engagement within the region and internationally,” Mr Kerr said.

“We have an ambitious agenda for our year as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and we will work hard, in partnership with fellow Forum members and partners, to ensure we get results.”

A key focus of the address was on the actions needed to build a prosperous, stable and sustainable Pacific, including by meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

“Despite continued high levels of development assistance over many years, the Pacific region is not on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015,” said Mr Kerr.

“Australia and other regional partners are committed to supporting the Pacific to get back on track to achieving targets in health, education, gender equality, the environment and poverty alleviation – potentially life-saving changes for so many.”

“We have a moral imperative to address these issues and to try and bring about better outcomes for our Pacific neighbours. I look forward to continuing to work with my regional counterparts on this critical endeavour.”

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

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