Senior Government Officials from Solomon Islands and New Zealand at the ‘Security & Defence’ thematic side-meeting. Photo by NZMFAT

SENIOR Officials from the Solomon Islands Government are in Wellington this week for the High-Level Consultations’ with their counterparts from the New Zealand Government.

The High-Level Consultations’ (HLC) is aimed at strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The plenary of the High-Level Consultation will be held on Thursday 22 June, and will cover a wide range of topics such as development cooperation, trade and labour mobility, climate change and disaster risk management, security and policing cooperation, aviation, education, geothermal energy, visa and immigration, and priorities at the regional and multilateral level.

The Solomon Islands senior officials’ delegation to the HLC at the ‘Mihi Whakatau’ (traditional Māori welcome ceremony) at the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led by Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers (far right). Also present is the SI High Commissioner to NZ, H.E Eliam Tangirongo (2nd left), and NZ High Commissioner to SI, H.E Jonathan Schwass (2nd left). Photo by NZMFAT

The High-Level Consultation will focus on a review of all sectors of cooperation and identify areas of opportunities and shared priorities that could add value and enhance the bilateral relations between Solomon Islands and New Zealand.

Prior to the HLC plenary, the senior officials will engage in thematic side-meetings with their New Zealand counterparts, where senior officials will hold in-depth discussions to exchange views on the bilateral programs and partnerships between both countries.

The Solomon Islands delegation looks forward for fruitful discussions with their New Zealand counterparts this week, and to follow up on the issues raised as a way forward to enhance the bilateral cooperation with New Zealand, based on the national development priorities and needs of the country.

Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers acknowledging the ‘Mihi Whakatau’ (traditional Maori Welcome) on behalf of the SIG delegation. Photo by NZMFAT

This High-Level Consultation is the first bilateral engagement between Solomon Islands and New Zealand, held face-to-face at the senior officials’ level since 2019, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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