The Pacific

| April 11, 2018

The South Pacific encompasses a vast expanse and is home to island nations which face pressing economic, social and environmental challenges.

Countries such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu often hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, but they also have great potential for growth and development.

At the 2016 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Pohnpei, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pledged a ‘step-change’ in Australia’s engagement with the Pacific. Australia has since announced a range of measures to build stronger partnerships in the region to boost economic growth, encourage social change and ensure security.

Created by Global Access Partners (GAP) and Strategic Development Group, the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP) has been tasked to deliver the government’s new Pacific Connect pilot programme to extend and strengthen Australian-Pacific networks and will hold dialogues and create projects in a range of activities, from education to digital trade.

Open Forum has been running a series of articles on developments in the Pacific region in the lead-up to a special Pacific Connect Forum, held at NSW Parliament Houses in September 2018.

Read more about economic, social and strategic developments in this vital region and Australia’s engagement with its diverse nations in these Open Forum blogs.

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