High Commissioner Brown was appointed as Special Envoy (SE) of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, to attend the 5th PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting in Suva -Fiji on the 12th of February 2024. DPM could not attend due to the convening of the parliament session.
The meeting was organised through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hon. Yoko Kamikawa attended this meeting convened in the Pacific for the first time. The meeting is in anticipation of the PALM 10 to be attended by Pacific Leaders in July 2024.
Bilateral discussion held between Hon. Kamikawa and SE Brown centred on the importance of the strong bilateral relations between Japan and Vanuatu which has seen the achievement of development priorities for Vanuatu.
SE Brown commended and acknowledged Japan on its ongoing assistance to Vanuatu's development needs and informed Minister Kamikawa on the Government's bilateral development priorities which includes the Airport upgrade and the Star Wharf upgrade.
SE Brown also informed Minister Kamikawa that Vanuatu is looking forward to signing the Exchange Notes on the Fisheries Research vessel on the margins of PALM10. Also acknowledging the partnership of Japan during the disasters and development assistance in Health, Education and Climate change resilience.
Meeting attended by SE Brown and First Secretary, Ms. Diana Taga.
