BREAKING: MFAT / DFAT to host international agencies round-table

I'm pleased to be able to finally share one of the major outcomes of the 2035 Oceania Summit - 4 months before the event has taken place!

Over the past 9 months, we have been speaking to a number of international agencies about the opportunity to support the Pacific Islands address some of the major food security issues that will be created by climate change. It's been a core aim of the Summit to deliver long-term impact. 

I'm therefore delighted to confirm that October's Summit will now be joined by delegations from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO), the Small Island Developing States (SIDs), The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), together with other donor entities and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs of Trade (DFAT), will jointly host a round-table discussion with these agencies, immediately following the Summit, to discuss opportunities to support the Pacific Islands address this potentially existential challenge. I'd like to acknowledge the contribution and inputs from Pacific Island partners looking to help drive this initiative and specifically, the work of the Food Security and Agriculture team at MFAT, for helping deliver this opportunity.

The round-table meeting will take place in Wellington on 12-13 October.