Australia has announced funding support for the regionally focused Pacific Community to the tune of AU$42.5 million (T$76 million) over a three-year period.

In a 17 November 2020 statement issued by the Pacific Community [previously called the Secretariat of the Pacific Community or S.P.C.], it has been announced that Australia will provide AU$42.5 million in core funding to the S.P.C over the next three years to support the renewed 10-year strategic partnership (2014–2023) between Australia and the S.P.C.

Australia’s Minister of Foreign affairs and Women, Marise Payne, has welcomed the renewed partnership and added that Australia is proud to support the regional organisation. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on women and girls across the world, including in the Pacific. I look forward to working with S.P.C to ensure Pacific women and girls contribute to our region’s recovery and help our people and economies to emerge stronger,” she said.

The S.P.C Director-General, Stuart Minchin, acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between the S.P.C. and Australia and said the renewed partnership is evidence of the long-term support Australia has provided.

“Together with Australia’s new funding commitment, it will allow S.P.C to continue to help the Pacific recover and rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19 by tackling overarching economic, environmental, and health development challenges,” he added. 

The renewed agreement was signed in a virtual meeting between Senator Payne and Dr. Minchin from the S.P.C headquarters in Noumea and Australia’s Consul-General to New Caledonia, Alison Carrington.