- Minister for the Indo-Pacific, , will reinforce the
UK’s maritime commitment to the Pacific region in her visit to
Australia
- Attending the International Maritime Exposition in Sydney,
the Minister will highlight UK-Australia collaboration, including
through AUKUS
- The visit will fortify UK-Australia bilateral ties and
strengthen existing partnerships in the region, highlighting the
shared goal of supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific
To underline the UK’s steadfast commitment to Australia, New
Zealand and Pacific Island Countries, UK Minister for the
Indo-Pacific, , will arrive in Sydney
today (6 November) for a two-day programme focused on government
engagement, maritime security, and the strategic importance of
the Indo-Pacific.
Attending the Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition,
Minister Trevelyan will showcase the UK’s dedication to fostering
trade opportunities and reinforcing our commitment to the AUKUS
partnership at meetings with UK and international businesses
developing key infrastructure for the naval industry.
The Minister will visit HMS Tamar, currently docked in Sydney.
HMS Tamar and HMS Spey are UK Naval vessels positioned in the
region to increase the UK’s long-term presence in the
Indo-Pacific and help tackle regional security challenges.
Working alongside partners and allies, the ships are conducting
defence engagement and training with partner nations to enhance
regional security.
AUKUS is integral to UK efforts to support a free, peaceful and
stable region. The UK Defence Secretary, , recently accompanied
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard
Marles, on a visit to Rolls-Royce’s nuclear reactor manufacturing
site in Derby to meet the first group of Australians training
alongside UK experts to understand how the next generation of
conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines will be
developed.
UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific said:
Our close collaboration with Australia is testament to our shared
vision for stability, growth and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
AUKUS will allow us to deliver on our defence and security
commitments, including in the maritime domain, to benefit our
nations and the wider region.
Engaging with countries in the Indo-Pacific is a key UK
government priority. On 7 November the Foreign Secretary will be
in Japan for the G7 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Tokyo. With
around 60% of global shipping passing through the Indo-Pacific,
ensuring maritime security is critical to the Prime Minister’s
priority of growing the UK’s economy. Increased engagement in the
Indo-Pacific is now a permanent pillar of the UK’s international
policy.
Today’s visit underscores the depth of the UK partnership with
Australia, building on the Minister’s work to boost regional
trade earlier this year in Perth and Darwin. In September, she
met government officials, business leaders and defence experts to
discuss the UK’s increased engagement in the region.
Following her engagements in Australia, the Minister will travel
to New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Fiji and Tonga, where she will
meet counterparts to discuss shared challenges facing the region.
The Minister will represent the UK as a Dialogue Partner of the
Pacific Islands Forum, taking place in the Cook Islands from 6-10
November.
