On 7-9 November 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders' Meeting in Cook Islands, joined by the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy.
Australia is a proud founding member of the PIF, which has brought the Pacific's leaders together annually for more than 50 years to discuss shared challenges and regional solutions. The Prime Minister’s attendance at PIF demonstrates Australia’s commitment to deepening engagement in the Pacific and addressing shared challenges facing us all, including shaping a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific.
During the visit, Prime Minister Albanese met with leaders from across the Pacific islands region, and held bilateral meetings with Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, Prime Minister of Tuvalu Kausea Natano and Kiribati President Taneti Maamau. Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Natano announced the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union, a treaty that sets out the two countries’ shared commitments on climate change, security and to allow Tuvaluans to work, study and live in Australia.
The PIF Leaders' Meeting brought together leaders from 18 Pacific countries and territories to discuss important issues and shared priorities affecting the region, including climate change and regional security.
The Leaders agreed on steps to deliver the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, a 30-year strategy that outlines how the Pacific region will work together to build on our strengths and secure our future against the challenges of today and the coming decades. Leaders also agreed to the Pacific Partnerships for Prosperity Initiative, the Pacific Regional Climate Mobility Framework, the PIF Declaration on Statehood and Persons affected by Sea-Level Rise, the Revitalisation of the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration, the Pacific Quality Infrastructure Principles and discussed shared issues including economic development, labour mobility, fisheries and trade.
The Prime Minister announced Australia will make further investments to support the climate adaptation and resilience of Pacific partners, including at least $350 million for climate infrastructure for the region, and that Australia would contribute to both the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the new Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).