His Majesty, King Tupou VI recently opened the upgraded Nuku’alofa International Port, better connecting Tonga’s main trade gateway to the rest of the world.

The Nuku’alofa Port Upgrade Project was funded by the Government of Australia through the AIFFP, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Government of Tonga as part of their shared commitment to rehabilitate, renew, and expand Tonga’s transport infrastructure.

Also in attendance was the  the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Brek Batley, Prime Minister of Tonga Aisake Valu Eke, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ports Authority Tonga, Alo ki Hakau Maileseni, and ADB Director General for the Pacific Department, Emma Veve.

“Australia is proud to have worked with the Government of Tonga and the Asian Development Bank on the Queen Salote Wharf as part of our long-term commitment to investing in sustainable infrastructure, jobs, skills, and connectivity in Tonga,” said H.E. Batley. “We are especially proud that the project has set a high benchmark for local employment with an average of 80% local workforce participation. The wharf will ensure prosperity for communities and for generations to come. This outstanding achievement demonstrates that the Australian government remains committed to investing in sustainable infrastructure, jobs, skills, and connectivity – in Tonga and across the Pacific.”

“The upgraded, climate-proofed, Queen Salote Wharf will be a lifeline for the people of Tonga and is being delivered to high standards,” said Ms. Veve. “The modernized wharf was completed ahead of schedule, and our approach is fully aligned with the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment and the Pacific Quality Infrastructure Principles.”

“The commissioning ceremony signifies that all marine and civil works are now complete and operational,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Ports Authority Tonga, Alo ki Hakau Maileseni. “This transformational project has rehabilitated and expanded the Queen Salote International Wharf to increase port capacity, improve safety and efficiency, lower operational costs and ensure the port can better withstand the severe impacts of climate change.”

The civil works were delivered in two phases to allow the port to remain operational throughout. Phase 1 included the rehabilitation of Wharf 1 and the construction of berthing and mooring dolphins, in addition to the development of pavement and other facilities over the eastern half of the yard area. Wharf 1 was handed over in March 2025. Phase 2 comprised repairs to Wharves 2, 3 and 4, the extension of Wharf 2, an additional mooring dolphin, the access road overlay, and the development of pavement and services over the western half of the yard area.

Recent achievements under Phase 2 include the completion and commissioning of modernized electrical and firefighting systems and the construction of the site access road.

The Nuku’alofa Port Upgrade Project began in 2022, funded by an ADB US$55 million investment from the Asian Development Fund, ADB’s major source of grant financing for Tonga. The Government of Australia through their Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility contributed US$20 million. The Government of Tonga also contributed an estimated US$8.5 million in terms of taxes and duties exemptions, bringing the total cost of the project to US$83.5 million.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

REnew Pacific’s Respond Global project has reached the halfway mark in its mission to power up remote healthcare facilities across Vanuatu, switching on clean energy and water systems at five health facilities in Sanma Province. The upgrades, completed last month, are improving care for the 11,700 people the facilities serve.

The HELPR-1 team completed a challenging month-long deployment in August to electrify and refurbish some of the province’s most remote health centres. New off-grid solar systems were installed at Saramauri Health Centre, Vulesepe Dispensary and Pessena Dispensary, while essential refurbishments restored and extended existing systems at Stonehill and Tasiriki Dispensaries.

The work went beyond energy. Repairs to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities were carried out at every site, and Saramauri Health Centre received its first consignment of modern medical equipment, including a patient monitor, oxygen concentrator, defibrillator, autoclave and foetal doppler, giving staff the tools they need to deliver better care.

Two students from the Vanuatu Institute of Technology joined the mission, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to the next generation of Vanuatu’s clean energy workforce.

Delivered in partnership with Vanuatu’s National Green Energy Fund through REnew Pacific, the HELPR-1 Climate Adaptation Program is working to install 20 new off-grid solar systems and refurbish 20 more across all six provinces. With Sanma now online, the program is halfway to its goal of benefitting over 80,000 people in remote communities with cleaner energy, safer water and stronger healthcare.

Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Max Willis, said; “When health workers have reliable power and safe water, communities are healthier and more resilient. Australia is proud to be working with Respond Global and the Government of Vanuatu to deliver clean, reliable energy where it’s needed most. With HELPR-1 at its halfway point, we are seeing the impact multiply across the islands, transforming healthcare for tens of thousands of people across Vanuatu.” 

Dr Ian Norton, Managing Director, Respond Global, said: “We thank Australia for their support for this impactful project, and for the partnership of the Ministry of Health and Department of Energy. We believe everyone deserves access to health services even in remote and hard to reach islands. This project means those services now have power, clean water, and thanks to the Australian Government, extra medical equipment and supplies delivered as part of this REnew Pacific project.”

REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million commitment to expanding clean, reliable off-grid renewable energy in rural and remote Pacific and Timor-Leste communities. Over the next five years, the program will fund locally-led projects that improve lighting, water, healthcare, education, agriculture and resilient livelihoods. It’s part of the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350 million initiative focused on climate infrastructure in the region, delivered by the Australian Government’s Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).

Find out more about the project.

Since switching to a solar-hybrid system a year ago, Good Samaritan Hospital is delivering reliable 24/7 healthcare for families across Solomon Islands’ Guadalcanal province with fuel savings already funding new health services.

Thanks to a partnership between Superfly Limited, the Good Samaritan Hospital and the Australian Government through the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP), the hospital is delivering a cleaner, greener and more resilient healthcare system for the 43,000+ people it serves, including more than 21,500 women who rely on maternity, child and other health services.

The impact after 12 months has been significant, with 97.3% of the hospital’s energy needs now supplied by solar, enabling hundreds of patients to be treated safely at night with reliable power. The shift has saved 19,000 litres of diesel, cutting costs and avoiding 51 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Savings from reduced fuel costs are already being reinvested back into healthcare. A new extension for non-communicable disease foot care has opened and a small eye clinic is planned for the coming months. These services that would not have been possible without the shift to solar.

“Families across Guadalcanal now know they have a hospital they can rely on for 24/7 care, powered by clean energy,” said Sister Daly from Good Samaritan Hospital. “We’re welcoming more community members than ever before, while reinvesting money saved from fuel into better services and equipment.”

This was the very first BPP Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships project to launch - and the first to be completed - not only in Solomon Islands but across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

The project is part of the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), which expands the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to grow Australia’s climate investments and support Solomon Islands to reach its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Find out more about the partnership. 

Thousands of people living on some of Fiji’s most remote outer islands are set to benefit from a new REnew Pacific project that will deliver safe, reliable drinking water.

Delivered in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Water Authority of Fiji and the Department of Water and Sewerage, the project will upgrade water infrastructure across seven sites on Lakeba, Rotuma and Vanuabalavu.

Each site will transition from diesel-only pumping to solar-hybrid and water tank systems, improving water security while cutting fuel costs and emissions.

The project will benefit around 4,900 people and includes storage and remote monitoring features to support long-term reliability and service delivery. It also provides training and support to local water authorities and communities, with a strong focus on inclusion for women and people with disabilities.

This is the first REnew Pacific water project in Fiji and will serve as a model for scaling sustainable water solutions across the Pacific.

REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, including Fiji.

Over the next five years, REnew Pacific will continue to support community-led projects that bring clean, reliable energy to remote and rural off-grid communities, powering everything from lighting and clean water to healthcare, education and local enterprise.

REnew Pacific responds directly to the Pacific’s call for urgent climate action, showcasing Australia’s climate leadership and partnership in tackling the region’s greatest shared challenge. It sits within the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350 million initiative delivered through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and implemented by Palladium.

Learn more about this project.

A new REnew Pacific project led by the Its Time Foundation will bring 24/7 clean energy, high-speed internet and digital learning tools to 30 remote schools and teachers’ homes across Fiji.

Many of these schools currently rely on costly diesel generators that run for only a few hours a day, which limits learning, digital access and safety. 

By installing high-quality off-grid solar systems and computer labs, the project will help close the education gap for thousands of students across mainland Viti Levu and outer islands including Rabi, Taveuni, Kadavu, Moala, Kabara and the Yasawas.

The initiative builds on the successful pilot at Buakonikai Primary School, delivered under the BPP Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership. Just months after installation, the school reported improved learning outcomes, better digital access and more than AUD 6,000 in annual fuel savings, which was all reinvested in education. 

Find out more and watch a short film about the project.

Rob Edwards OAM, Founder, Its Time Foundation, said: “This new partnership marks a major step forward in our mission to ensure every child in Fiji has access to safe, modern education, regardless of where they live. 

“We’re building on the success of our earlier pilot to bring reliable solar power, internet connectivity and long-term sustainability to 30 more remote schools. It’s not just about clean energy – it’s about opportunity, equity and lasting impact for communities across the Pacific.”

Kaushik Lal, Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education, said: “Providing solar power to remote schools brings light to classrooms, hope to students and relief to teachers. It powers learning, reduces costs and protects the planet, turning every sunrise into a promise of opportunity, resilience and a brighter future for education.”

Now scaled through REnew Pacific, the project introduces a dedicated maintenance model backed by the Solar Fund (Fiji), along with Starlink internet and basic computer labs to support e-learning. Fuel savings will help cover ongoing costs, making the systems financially sustainable for schools long into the future.

Delivered in partnership with Fiji’s Ministry of Education, the project also supports gender equity through training for women in solar installation and technical trades.

REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, including Fiji.

Over the next five years, REnew Pacific will continue to support community-led projects that bring clean, reliable energy to remote and rural off-grid communities, powering everything from lighting and clean water to healthcare, education and local enterprise.

REnew Pacific responds directly to the Pacific’s call for urgent climate action, showcasing Australia’s climate leadership and partnership in tackling the region’s greatest shared challenge. It sits within the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350 million initiative delivered through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and implemented by Palladium.

Learn more about the project.

19 August 2025

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Thank you and can I start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the Brisbane region, the Turrbal and Yuggera people.

I pay my respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.

We are honoured to welcome distinguished leaders from across the Pacific, including Heads of State, Heads of Government, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and senior officials from:

• Palau, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji,
• Solomon Islands, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia,
• Republic of Marshall Islands, Niue, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Kiribati, and the Pacific Islands Forum.

We deeply appreciate your presence and the valuable contributions you bring to this important gathering.

Your engagement reflects a strong commitment to advancing shared priorities across the region.

All protocols observed.

Welcome to the Pacific Infrastructure Conference

Hello everyone.

I'm so pleased that Australia is hosting the Pacific Infrastructure Conference.

It's good to see you in Brisbane. Thanks for travelling to be here.

The Pacific is our home and it's in all our interests to foster a resilient, connected region that enables all our economies to grow and our people to prosper.

Infrastructure plays a key role in this.

When we decide to invest in infrastructure, what we are doing, is imagining a better future.

It enables economic development across a range of sectors by providing ports, aviation links, roads, and digital connections.

It can transform communities by providing access to power, clean water, education and health services. It improves the everyday life of our communities.

Quality and resilient infrastructure also supports us in adapting to climate change.

There are several principles that guide Australia's approach to infrastructure investment.

We provide support that is:

• Based on and responsive to partner priorities
• Climate resilient
• Inclusive in design and promotes high-quality construction
• Transparent in its approach to investment and responsible lending
• And prioritises local leadership, jobs and procurement.

There are four key areas that I want to touch on today and leave you with to think about.

1. The first is how important it is to me that Australia's infrastructure investments in the Pacific are Pacific-led.

Australia listens to the priorities of the Pacific family – and acts on them.

As of June, this year, the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific has committed almost $2 billion to projects across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

That's 56 projects in 11 countries.

Australia also supports infrastructure projects through our bilateral programs.

Examples of the breadth and depth of the projects Australia supports include:

• Building multi-purpose sports courts at secondary schools in Kiribati to promote fitness and encourage students to stay in school.
• Supporting the Papua New Guinea Government's work to restore and maintain the Wau Highway, making travel safer and improving remote communities' access to essential services.
• And working with the Government of Tonga and the Asian Development Bank to upgrade the Queen Salote International Wharf – Tonga's main gateway to global trade and essential supplies.

We have heard that the Pacific needs high quality infrastructure that responds to Pacific priorities and is suitable for Pacific conditions.

We are committed to –

• Listening to the Pacific on their priorities, including ensuring projects support local jobs and skills
• Working as a trusted partner, so you can be sure our projects are fit for purpose, high-quality and sustainable.
• Delivering on your priorities.

2. Climate change is also critical

Pacific leaders have declared that climate change is the number one threat to the security of their people, and they are right.

The Australian Government is committed to working to address climate change.

That's why we are also supporting investments in resilient infrastructure and clean energy projects.

And it's why we established the $350 million Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership.

This partnership supports countries and communities to adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse emissions and expand access to clean energy.

Projects range from small scale renewable energy projects for rural and remote communities to much larger investments.

An example of this is a project I visited in Palau a few years ago to establish Palau's solar power plant and battery storage facility.

This project reduces carbon emissions and high fuel costs from diesel generators.

This is one of the largest solar energy projects in the Pacific, backed by Australia.

Recently we provided a further investment to upgrade Palau's electricity network to improve system reliability and allow for greater use of renewable energy, helping to reduce Palau's dependence on imported fossil fuels.

This is just one example of how we are supporting the region's transition to renewable energy and building clean energy industries across the Pacific.

3. Thirdly, we all know that infrastructure projects also create jobs.

I was in Honiara in June, and I announced $11 million contribution to the Solomon Islands National Transport Fund to cover repairs, maintenance and upgrades to key roads.

We understand the impact of deteriorating roads for getting to work, getting produce to market and getting children and family members to school or health services.

Our $11 million contribution will be allocated based on Solomon Island's priorities, and we are making sure all these projects are delivered by local companies.

This will not only support local companies to thrive, it will also create local jobs and provide local income to be spent in Solomon Islands.

We want to draw on local expertise and support Pacific countries to build the skills and experience of their workers.

The AIFFP ensures local benefits by working with partners to set targets or commitments on local content levels in its project contracts.

This is also growing the private sector in Pacific countries, boosting demand for local equipment and services while also developing local capability.

I ask you this, can a development partner be genuine if they don't trust your workers to build your infrastructure?

We want to continue growing local content in the infrastructure projects that we fund.

4. We also want to strengthen connections across the region

Looking ahead, of course, there are a lot of exciting areas in which infrastructure can make transformational changes to Pacific lives.

The world is changing incredibly rapidly and a lot of that is driven by technology.

Technology that can connect our people, our businesses and our countries.

By the end of 2025, all Pacific Island Forum countries will be connected via submarine telecommunication cables.

This is an unprecedented milestone in regional connectivity.

Two cables are due to go live later this year…

…The East Micronesia Cable connecting the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Nauru.

…and the Tuvalu Vaka Cable.

These cables connect individuals, businesses and communities to each other and the world, unlocking a host of new digital services and economic opportunities, including access to education, healthcare and e-commerce.

Palau Paradise Express extension

Of course, we also strengthen our people to people links and Australia's connection to our neighbours with aviation infrastructure.

It links diaspora communities with family at home and supports economic development by supporting the tourism industry…

That's why:

…We are working with the Government of Timor-Leste to upgrade the International Airport in Dili.

…We are working with the Government of Nauru to upgrade its International Airport.

…And we are working with Airports Fiji to upgrade key airports across Fiji.

As we are here in Brisbane, I'm also reminded of the importance of flight services between our countries.

And I'm really excited to announce that the Albanese Government is extending support for the Palau Paradise Express to continue the non-stop Qantas flights that connects Australia and Palau.

The flights will now extend that great service to Palau for another 12 months, until at least the end of 2026…

…to bring Australia, Palau and other Micronesia states closer together and support economic growth through tourism and two-way trade opportunities.

In the last nine months, over 5000 passengers have travelled on the Paradise Express and over the next year there will be thousands more.

Conclusion

So we know that there is more work to do and there is always room for improvement.

Australia wants to continue partnering with you as a trusted partner for infrastructure projects in the Pacific, with transparent investment to support high quality construction and utilising local labour to create jobs and support the local economy.

We want to work with you to strengthen economic development and regional connectivity…

…You can count on us to finance resilient infrastructure projects that help with the clean energy transition and climate related impacts like cyclones and earthquakes …

…Support Pacific-grown workforces and private sectors.

You can count on us to fund projects that are built by local workers.

And you can count on us to support your infrastructure priorities.

This is about building a future that is shaped and chosen by Pacific communities – the future you want to build.

Thank you for having me here this morning.

I wish you a productive conference and I look forward to hearing more about your discussions.

Thank you all again for coming to Brisbane today.

Following successful landings in Kiribati and Nauru, the East Micronesia Cable has landed in Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), its final Pacific nation, with the international telecommunications cable now just months away from being ready for service.

The cable lay ship – the Normand Clipper – successfully landed the cable in Kosrae on 16 August. The occasion was celebrated with an event that marked the formal handover of the Cable Ceremonial Buoy, used to float the cable into shore.

The Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President, Governor Kosrae State, Tulensa W. Palik, and FSM Congress Senators Yoselyn Sigrah and Johnson Asher marked the occasion, alongside senior representatives from the FSM national and Kosrae state governments, and the project’s funding partners – Australia, Japan and the United States.

“The East Micronesia Cable will play an essential role in securing FSM’s digital future,” Australia’s Charge to FSM, Ms Sarah McCarthy said. “Australia is proud to celebrate this milestone alongside our partners and invest in critical infrastructure that meets the priorities of communities across the Pacific.”

The AUD135 million project is fully grant funded by Australia, via the AIFFP, alongside Japan and the United States. It will deliver a 2,250-kilometre-long undersea cable and supporting infrastructure connecting Tarawa in Kiribati, Nauru and the state of Kosrae in FSM to the existing HANTRU-1 cable landing point located in Pohnpei, FSM.

The East Micronesia Cable will bring faster, high quality and more reliable and affordable internet to more than 100,000 people across the three Pacific countries, providing better access to services, information and worldwide markets.

The project will improve the availability of digital government services and enable increased trade and employment opportunities. It will also strengthen the countries’ resilience to climate change, assisting governments with disaster and climate change preparedness and reducing the chances of an outage in the event of adverse weather events.

The event follows successful cable landings in Tarawa, Kiribati and Nauru in recent weeks and marks the final connection point for the cable. The cable is expected to be ready for service in November 2025.

Australia is proud to invest in essential infrastructure that meets the priorities of Pacific communities and supports better connectivity within and across Pacific nations.

Every home in the remote village of Lawital on Vanuatu’s Tanna Island now has access to clean, reliable solar power, thanks to an Australia-supported off-grid renewable energy partnership led by local women.

More than 800 people across Lawital’s 115 households are benefitting from new solar lighting and charging systems, as well as solar streetlights installed in 10 key public spaces. Five community centres have also been powered through the project.

It’s made possible through an Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership between ActionAid Vanuatu, PowerWells, Women I TokTok Tugeta (WITTT) Network and the Australian Government, supported through AIFFP’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP).

“This project will be a great benefit in my community. It solves everything, it makes our lives easier, and our children will be very happy,” said Napuat Kasso, WITTT Taskforce Leader on Tanna.

Flora Vano, ActionAid Vanuatu Country Manager, said: “The women of Lawital have been calling for access to electricity so their children can do homework, to help them with cooking, and to improve safety in the community. And now with their leadership, they have made it happen. It’s fantastic to see so many women in the village trained up to install and repair the solar systems. This truly is a women-led project, and it will be a huge turning point for the village of Lawital.”

Minister for Climate Change, Adaptation, Geohazards, Meteorology & Energy the Hon Ralph Regenvanu attended a special celebration event on Tuesday hosted by Chief Nafima at Lawital’s Nakamal to mark the end of the partnership project. He was joined by Minister of Internal Affairs the Hon Andrew Solomon Napuat, President of Tafea Province Mr Andrew Iawak Nipio, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu H.E. Nicola Simmonds and Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu H. E. Max Willis.

The celebration also featured a cultural performance by the Dhamuw Koedal Dance Group from the Torres Strait Islands in Australia.

“Australia is committed to supporting clean energy solutions that are locally led and inclusive,” said Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu, H.E. Max Willis, at the event. “This project is a powerful example of what communities can achieve when they place women at the centre of energy access. Together, we're not only lighting up homes, we’re also supporting safer, stronger and more climate-resilient communities across Vanuatu.”

Delivered through the WITTT Network, the project uses a PayGo rent-to-own model, with monthly payments reinvested into a community-managed fund. This supports ongoing system maintenance, future renewable energy installations and new income-generating opportunities for women.

“These systems are made from e-waste and recycled components, assembled and maintained by the women of Lawital,” explains Bradley Clair, PowerWells Co-founder. “It’s a model that’s good for people, good for the planet and built to last.”

Since 2024, Australia has invested around VUV 390 million (AUD 5 million) in off-grid renewable energy projects in Vanuatu through PCIFP investment in both REnew Pacific and its pilot Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships program through the Business Partnerships Platform. 

Learn more about the partnership.