The 23rd Papua New Guinea-Australia Ministerial Forum gets underway in Port Moresby today.
The discussions will focus on key areas of bilateral cooperation, including defence and policing cooperation, the implementation of the Regional Resettlement Arrangement, how Australia is assisting P-N-G to host APEC in 2018, and strengthening P-N-G's public service through improved education and training. Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister, Rimbink Pato, is leading the P-N-G delegation while Australia is being led by his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop. Ms. Bishop says she's looking forward to co-chairing the annual Ministerial Forum Business Dialogue, which enables the business community to discuss with Ministers ways to further strengthen trade and investment links between the countries. She says, the participation of four senior members of the coalition reflects the strength and depth of the relationship the Australian Government shares with its closest neighbour. The meetings tomorrow will begin with the PNG-Australia Business Dialogue, before Ms. Bishop meets Minister for Community Development and Member for Sohe, Delilah Gore. The Ministerial forum will be opened at lunch, where Ministers and departmental heads are expected to attend. The conclusion of the Ministerial Forum will be followed by the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct with Public Service Minister, Sir Puka Temu. A joint medial conference will be held between Rimbink Pato and Ms. Bishop at the end of the meeting. Following the Ministerial Forum, Ms. Bishop will travel to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, the first visit to Bougainville by an Australian Foreign Minister since 2000. She will meet political and community leaders to discuss the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and visit Australian aid-funded projects in Buka and Arawa. Ms. Bishop will also visit Goroka, where she will participate in a roundtable with civil society representatives and political leaders focusing on women’s economic empowerment and family and sexual violence, as well as visit aid-funded projects supported by Australia focused on literacy, health and small business. Comments are closed.
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