Visit to Vanuatu with The Prince of Wales

I will accompany His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on his visit to Vanuatu on 7 April, as part of the Australian Tour of his Royal Highness.

Australia is delighted to be hosting The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall from 4 to 10 April, when they will open the XXI Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

While in Vanuatu, I will join His Royal Highness in calling on President H.E. Obed Moses Tallis and Prime Minister the Hon Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas. I will also accompany His Royal Highness to inspect reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by Tropical Cyclone Pam, including the Port Vila Central Hospital and the Chief's traditional meeting place, Nakamal.

Vanuatu is one of Australia's closest neighbours, an important economic and security partner, and a fellow member of the Commonwealth. Australia has been proud to work with the Government of Vanuatu to support recovery efforts after Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015 through our $35 million support package.

The visit of His Royal Highness reflects the shared interest Australia and the United Kingdom have in a revitalised Commonwealth which addresses common challenges including vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. These are key issues for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in mid-April.

Stronger partnerships with our Pacific island neighbours are a key priority for Australia, as identified in the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper. My visit to Vanuatu accompanying His Royal Highness will be my 30th visit to the Pacific region as Foreign Minister.