UK Foreign Secretary’s Pacific Tour starts with PNG

The United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly begins a tour of the Pacific tomorrow (19th April),

to strengthen partnerships with Pacific Island Countries with a focus on climate change, economic development, scientific research and media freedom.  

Cleverly will visit Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, before joining the New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta for a joint programme in Samoa. They will then travel on to Wellington together for engagements on Saturday. 

During his trip, the Foreign Secretary will announce new commitments to show the UK's support for a free and open Pacific. Over K14 million (£4.5m) of new funding, will connect communities in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific to clean energy sources, such as by providing an alternative to common but expensive and polluting generators.

More UK experts will also work with Pacific communities to tackle marine pollution and maintain clean, healthy oceans, as part of the UK’s £500m (over K15m) Blue Planet Fund.

Foreign Secretary Cleverly said, “The UK supports a free and open Pacific. At the very centre of this effort is partnering for the long haul with our friends in the Pacific Islands, listening to their priorities, and working alongside them as they forge their own futures.  

“The UK is redoubling its engagement in the Pacific, offering our expertise in tackling climate change, protecting the region’s oceans, promoting public health, and supporting open societies and a free media.”  

In Papua New Guinea, the Foreign Secretary will meet Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko and Prime Minister Marape. He will also see a Fleming Fund-backed hospital in Port Moresby, visit the Grass Skirts project which promotes women and girls’ rights, and lay a wreath at the Bomana Commonwealth War Cemetery. 

In Solomon Islands, he will hear from journalists who have taken part in a UK government-backed, BBC-led training programme, meet with Prime Minister Sogavare and Foreign Minister Manele.

In Samoa, the Foreign Secretary will join Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, hold trilateral talks, see the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme Centre, and visit the Villa Valima – Robert Louis Stevenson's former home in Samoa. Cleverly and Mahuta will also be welcomed by Samoa’s head of state, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, for a traditional ‘ava drinking ceremony.

The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Mahuta will then fly to Wellington together. Cleverly will be greeted at the New Zealand parliament by a traditional Māori Pōwhiri ceremony, before holding talks with Foreign Minister Mahuta and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Later in the day he will participate in a rugby training session with players in the Black Ferns, New Zealand’s women’s rugby union team.

Author: 
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