Visit to the United Kingdom Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

I will be joining Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 16 to 20 April in the United Kingdom.

Leaders and ministers from 53 member states will convene in the UK to focus on a prosperous, safe, fair and sustainable future for the Commonwealth of Nations.

As identified in our Foreign Policy White Paper, the Commonwealth plays an important role in protecting and promoting the international rules-based order. Australia will be encouraging Commonwealth leaders to resist protectionism by making strong and practical statements in support of a free and open rules-based trading system.

Australia will also be working with member countries to develop and promote effective solutions to borderless challenges such as climate change, malaria, terrorism, violent extremism and oceans management.

During CHOGM, I will meet with numerous foreign ministers including British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to discuss a range of issues such as the recent use of a military grade nerve agent in an attempted assassination in Salisbury.

I will address the Commonwealth Business Forum and meet some of the Commonwealth's best and brightest, including Australia's two exceptional delegates at the Commonwealth Youth Forum.

I will also participate in the Malaria Summit to discuss international efforts to combat malaria, highlighting Australia's work in the Indo-Pacific region and the important links between malaria elimination and the broader health security agenda.

I look forward to working with the foreign ministers of all Commonwealth countries to ensure a successful CHOGM.