Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, will pick up Tonga’s leadership role as Pacific Islands Forum Chair. He will chair pivotal ministerial meetings in 2025, including the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, Forum Trade Ministers Meeting, and Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting.
Dr Eke, met with the PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa, today in Tonga.
SG Waqa, and his delegation from the Forum Secretariat, provided a high-level briefing to the Forum Chair on the region's key priorities leading up to the 54th PIF Leaders Meeting to be held in September in Solomon Islands.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that they considered comprehensive updates on political developments in the region and the key priorities for the PIF in 2025, including:
a Review of the Regional Architecture, the Pacific Resilience Facility,
the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development and
preparations for the High- Level Talanoa on Deep Sea Minerals to take place in February 2025 in Suva, Fiji.
“I am committed to continuing Tonga’s leadership role in the region and I look forward to working with colleague leaders, to advance the regional priorities of the Pacific Islands Forum.
“Recognising the importance of the work programme before us as the Forum, I am grateful that the Secretariat General was able to facilitate a comprehensive briefing on the expectations of Tonga and the deliverables this year, as the region works towards the Leaders Meeting in Honiara in September this year,” said Dr Eke.
The briefing covered critical Forum engagements at both regional and international levels, emphasising Tonga’s leadership role as PIF Chair.
“I am heartened by the support and commitment of the Forum Chair. He brings with him deep insights and views on regional priorities, especially as they relate to political and economic development and regional system efficiencies. I look forward to supporting him and Forum Leaders over the coming months,” said SG Waqa.
Tonga will be home to the Pacific-led and Pacific-owned Pacific Resilience Facility, a critical initiative that provides funding for climate change adaptation, disaster preparedness, and community resilience projects across Pacific Island nations.
