Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 66
66
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 255
Encourage regular Foreign Secretary visits and establish UK-Pacific Islands consultative body.
Conclusion
We encourage repeat visits by the Foreign Secretary to the Pacific Islands at appropriate intervals and recommend that the Government consider attending Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meetings such as the PIF leaders meeting. We also recommend setting up a UK-Pacific Islands consultative body to widen and deepen cooperation between the UK and the Pacific Islands, in addition to continued focus on Partners in the Blue Pacific and expanded cooperation with individual Pacific Island countries.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to sustained engagement, confirming recent visits by the Foreign Secretary and Minister for Indo-Pacific to Pacific Islands Forum meetings, with a commitment for ministers to remain engaged. However, it explicitly states it is not looking to create a separate consultative body, while affirming bilateral and regional cooperation remains a priority.
Paragraph Reference:
255
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
164. The Government agrees that engagement with Pacific Islands and regional institutions needs to be sustained and long-term. During his visit to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands in April 2023, the then Foreign Secretary met with Heads of Government and made clear the Government’s intention to create genuine and equal partnerships with Pacific Island Countries and to deliver on their priorities. The Minister for the Indo-Pacific attended the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in November 2023 and UK Ministers will remain engaged in the Pacific. 165. Continued engagement through the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative will allow the UK to build on its longstanding commitment to the region, through coordination with partners and commitment to deliver in line with Pacific priorities. The Government also recognises the importance of strengthening bilateral relationships with Pacific Islands, which is predominantly done through the six UK Diplomatic Missions in Pacific Island Countries (three of which have been opened in the past four years). While the Government is not looking to create a separate consultative body, widening and deepening corporation with Pacific Island Countries on both a bilateral and regional level will continue to be a priority.