Samoa and other Pacific nations have been promised AU$350 million by the Australian Government for the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

He said Australia was committed to its promises of making a difference when it comes to climate change. He said he had very fruitful discussions with Pacific leaders.

“This is an important gathering. And it comes as the Pacific Islands are particularly concentrating on the issue of climate change. And this morning, there was a very constructive discussion, including the Pacific Resilience Facility, the idea that we will have, in addition to the Green Climate Fund and other multilateral funds which are there, something specifically aimed at adaptation, resilience in the Pacific, as well as providing support for infrastructure,” he said.

“Australia has an important role to play here. And if you look at our commitments that we have made over a period of time, they are substantial. And today, I was able to outline the commitments that we have to confirm that we will be making a contribution to the Pacific Resilience Facility.

“We're already helping, along with the United States, to fund the administration costs to establish that facility going forward. In addition to that, we're providing some $350 million in our Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership. That was part of the commitment that we took to the election. In addition to that, we have at least $2 billion of climate financing commitment across the globe as part of our existing ODA commitments that we've made.”

Mr Albanese said Australia and the Pacific will have further discussions and there will be more announcements including specific programs that they have  been asked to support by Tuvalu.

He said there was a recognition that his Government is committed to climate action and they were playing a positive role, not just with their commitment to reduce our emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050.

“But that, importantly, we are playing a role in the region, and indeed, around the globe. In addition to that, there has been a range of discussions about other issues facing the region, including security issues, including economic growth,” he said.

Among other things discussed with Mr Albanese, Pacific leaders also had a chance to talk on labour mobility. Seasonal work and the remittances earned from the various labour programmes in Australia has helped many Pacific families.

Mr Albanese also mentioned that he sees the Pacific Islands Forum more united than ever despite few dramas on Thursday.

“It's wonderful to be here in the Cook Islands at the Pacific Islands forum. This is an important gathering of the Pacific family, of which Australia plays a critical role,” he said.

Missing from the important meeting is Mr Albanese’s New Zealand counterpart as a government is yet to be formed in Aotearoa. The Pacific is still awaiting to see if the incoming New Zealand Government will have a similar Pacific commitment as the former or will they change.