CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — February 3, 2026 — H.E. President Hilda C. Heine met with the Honorable Pat Conroy MP, Australia’s Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, during her Official State Visit to Australia, reaffirming the strong partnership between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Australia.
President Heine thanked Australia for its continued support, including backing RMI’s successful bid for a second term on the United Nations Human Rights Council and for expanding educational opportunities through scholarship programs.
The leaders discussed cooperation on maritime security and policing, including the recent handover of the patrol vessel Jelmae, which strengthens RMI’s ability to address illegal fishing and transnational crime. Infrastructure, climate resilience, and water security were also key areas of discussion, with President Heine welcoming deeper engagement through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific and Australia’s support for regional water initiatives.
Aviation connectivity, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges were highlighted, along with Australia’s leadership on gender equality and social inclusion in the Pacific.
Regional cooperation and shared Pacific priorities were also discussed, including continued engagement through the Pacific Islands Forum. President Heine also noted RMI’s interest in progressively establishing an embassy in Canberra.
