The 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) officially opened today, 8 September, at the Stadium, Sports City in the Solomon Islands.
Tonga’s Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke and some other forum leaders and delegates arrived in Honiara on Saturday, on a special Royal New Zealand Air Force Flight (RNZAF) from Whenuapai, New Zealand.
The Solomon Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka greeted the Forum Chair and delegates at Honiara International Airport, including the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Baron Waqa who arrived on the same afternoon.
The 54th PIFLM theme is "Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent."
It will guide the region’s efforts to continue solidarity in addressing shared challenges in climate change and economic prosperity, working together towards a more transformative resilient Pasifiki, by focusing on building a better now, a continuity from Tonga’s theme last year.
The Solomon Islands as host of this year’s forum will be provided progress of the work for the Review of Regional Architecture, updates on key commitments to regional collective actions, and the signing of the Treaty for the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).
Tonga’s delegation is led by PM Eke and joined by senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, including the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Paula Ma’u, Director Strategic Partnership, Ms. ‘Olita Tupou, and Adviser to the PM, Mrs. Amelia K Siamomua.
