Australian Foreign Minister to visit Solomon Islands, Friday
The Australian Foreign Minister, Hon. Penny Wong will visit Solomon Islands this Friday, 17 June for a one day program.
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Senator the Hon Penny Wong. Photo: foreignminister.gov.au/
A statement from the Office of the Minister today says her travel to the country is to reinforce Australia’s close friendship and cooperation.
“I will visit Solomon Islands, where I will meet Prime Minister the Hon Manasseh Sogavare and a number of his Cabinet ministers. I also look forward to engaging with the local community, including women leaders.
“We are committed to deepening our cooperation with Solomon Islands, as we work together to face shared challenges and achieve our shared goals, including on climate change.
“I look forward to discussing the ways we can continue to make progress on pandemic recovery, economic development and labour mobility priorities, and addressing our shared security interests,” the statement says.
Minister Wong will be accompanied by Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Dr Lachlan Strahan and senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade during her program.
The minister’s delegation will also meet with Guadalcanal Premier, Francis Sade, community leaders and Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF) members at Burns Creek later on the day.
The Australian High Commission Office in Solomon Islands invites the local media to follow and report on many elements of Minister Wong’s visit.
The High Commission Office stated today, the media will have the opportunity to capture imagery of the Minister throughout the visit and an opportunity to ask questions at a doorstop press conference that will be held at Henderson Airport at the end of the program.
“While the Minister may make some remarks to dignitaries and community leaders at various stages during her visit, we would kindly ask that all questions from journalists be asked during the doorstop press conference.
“We will try our best to ensure every Solomon Islands media outlet has the opportunity to ask the Minister questions at the doorstop,” the Australian High Commission Office says today.
By Jared Koli