Foreign Minister Penny Wong will travel to New Zealand and Solomon Islands this week to discuss climate change and regional security in what will be her third visit to the Pacific since being sworn in last month.
Senator Wong will fly to Wellington Wednesday evening and is expected to meet with NZ Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta on Thursday.
"New Zealand is an indispensable partner in our ambitions for a stronger Pacific family," Senator Wong said in a statement.
"As part of our discussions, we will consider ways we can work together, to make the most of the new energy and resources the Australian Government is bringing to the Pacific."
This was echoed by Ms Mahuta in a statement released ahead of Senator Wong's visit.
"At a regional level, the number one security issue for the Pacific is the impact of climate change," Ms Mahuta said.
"I look forward to talking to the new Foreign Minister in more detail on Australia's climate change agenda, and further ways we can assist Pacific Island nations on mitigation and adaptation measures."
The importance of indigenous perspectives in foreign policy, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and the war in Ukraine will also be on the agenda.
"I also look forward to drawing on New Zealand's experiences as Australia develops a First Nations foreign policy," Senator Wong said.
Senator Wong will travel to Solomon Islands on Friday to meet with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and a number of cabinet ministers, amid concern over the regional impact of a security deal between the Pacific island nation and China.
Australia said it was committed to deepening cooperation with the Solomon Islands on shared challenges including climate change, and Senator Wong would meet with Mr Sogavare, the statement said.
"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," she said.
The Solomon Islands security pact, as well as a proposal by China for a sweeping security and trade agreement with 10 Pacific islands nations, will be discussed at next month's Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Suva, several island nations have said.
China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, met with Mr Sogavare in Honiara last month, as part of an eight-nation Pacific tour, agreeing to deepen cooperation between China and Solomon Islands in fisheries, mining, infrastructure and trade.
Mr Wang said the security pact with the Solomon Islands would improve policing and protect Chinese citizens and institutions there.
"China supports Pacific Island countries in strengthening security cooperation and working together to address regional security challenges," he said during the visit.
Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States have said they are concerned Beijing could establish a military presence in the Pacific, although Mr Sogavare has denied the pact would allow a military base.
Fiji told a security conference in Singapore over the weekend that climate change was the most pressing security concern for the Pacific islands.
Reuters/ABC
