"Emerging leaders are seeking support from all of us in this place to build a foundation of self-determination and inclusion; action on climate change and natural hazards; improving education and youth unemployment; and improving access to water and sanitation."

Address to the House of Representatives, Statement by Members - Pacific-Australian Emerging Leaders Summit

Wednesday 30 November 2022

On Monday, I met with delegates from the Pacific-Australian Emerging Leaders Summit, a program supported by Micah Australia and the Pacific Conference of Churches. The inaugural summit gathered emerging leaders from across the Pacific region. It brought together delegations from the Pacific, First Nations, the broader Pacific diaspora and other Australian leaders. I met with Linnaeus, an environment advocate from the Solomon Islands; Joash, an emerging young leader from the diaspora in this region; Soweri, a Caritas Fiji Oceania youth representative; and Bella, a scientist from the ACT. Emerging leaders are seeking support from all of us in this place to build a foundation of self-determination and inclusion; action on climate change and natural hazards; improving education and youth unemployment; and improving access to water and sanitation.

I appreciated the opportunity to have an open dialogue about our region and on how we can work with empowered young people to build flourishing communities across the Pacific region. This is a vision that will only be realised in full when communities enjoy self-determination and when no-one is left behind. We must all work together on the critical development challenges and foreign policy issues in our region—leadership that the Albanese government is already willing to do.