Visit to New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Canada
As the Pacific is one of my foreign policy priorities, I will visit New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Canada from 29 June to 7 July. I will advance Australia's strategic interests and promote economic diplomacy through political, business, education, cultural and people-to-people links across the Pacific region.
The World Humanitarian Summit's Pacific Regional Consultation with South Pacific and UN leaders will be held in Auckland, and co-hosted by Australia. Our role as co-host demonstrates our commitment to global humanitarian issues and our leadership role supporting Pacific Island nations respond to crises. I will meet New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully. I will also meet with UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien and UNDP Administrator Helen Clark.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Australia's diplomatic relations with Chile and Brazil. In Chile I will meet President Michelle Bachelet and Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz. I will sign a memorandum of understanding on education and open CSIRO's International Centre of Excellence in Santiago.
In Brazil I will meet Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and sign a memorandum of understanding with Education Minister Renato Ribeiro.
In Peru I will attend the 10th Summit of the Pacific Alliance, a free trade partnership comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and 32 observer countries. I will speak in support of the pro-business goals of the Alliance and announce Australia's plans to achieve recognition of our educational qualifications with Alliance countries. I will also meet Peruvian Foreign Minister Ana Maria Sanchez and Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin.
I will represent Australia at the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum (ACELF) in Vancouver with Canadian Foreign Minister Rob Nicholson. I will also meet with Finance Minister Joe Oliver and Trade Minister Ed Fast. This visit is the first time an Australian Foreign Minister has visited Canada since 2006.