Australia and RMI held their first Bilateral Partnership Talks in the Marshall Islands last Wednesday. Australian senior officials traveled to Majuro to meet with RMI government counterparts, and were joined online by more officials in Canberra.
While the two countries share a long history of close engagement, these were the first multi-agency talks covering all aspects of the partnership. This fulfilled a commitment by Foreign Minister Kitlang Kabua and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during the latter’s visit to Majuro in October 2022 and builds on the opening of the Australian Embassy in May 2021.
The talks were hosted by the RMI and co-chaired by Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Anjanette Kattil and visiting Australian senior official Mat Kimberley. The talks explored ways to build cooperation in climate change, maritime security, economic development, gender empowerment, and people-to-people links, as well as ways to work even closer on regional and international issues such as on human rights and Ukraine.
Among the many outcomes, both sides agreed to look at new trade and tourism opportunities, share insights on emerging and geo-strategic challenges facing the region, work together on Australia’s bid with the Pacific to host the global COP31 climate conference in 2026, and safeguard the ongoing unity of the Pacific Islands Forum through the “Suva Agreement.”
Both countries will keep developing RMI’s maritime law enforcement capability with the new Guardian Class patrol boat’s arrival next year and the building of a new wharf at Sea Patrol.
“The RMI-Australia Bilateral Talks is indeed a testament to the enduring and strong friendship our two countries share,” said Kattil. “We are hopeful that we can continue this initiative in the years to come and further strengthen our bilateral relationship through these welcomed discussions.”
Building stronger people-to-people links was a focus of the talks. In addition to its scholarships for RMI students, Australia committed to deploy around half a dozen volunteers to RMI in 2023 to various RMI organizations and continue to support two-way cultural and sporting exchanges.
Australia also welcomed the chance to engage on regional oceans issues with the new Pacific Islands Forum Ocean’s Commissioner Dr. Filimon Manoni and reaffirmed its support to RMI in hosting the regional Triennial Conference on Women in mid-2024.
“This is how friends act, by sitting down regularly and discussing the issues that matter to our countries and looking for opportunities,” said outgoing Australian Ambassador Brek Batley, in his final week as Australia’s first resident ambassador RMI. “These talks are another brick in the foundation of our enduring partnership.”
The next round of Bilateral Partnership Talks will be held in mid-2024.