SPC meetings open in Nuku'alofa: "United for a resilient future"

SPC's 55th Meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations. Nuku'alofa, 14 October 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

By Katalina Siasau

Tonga is hosting the Pacific Community's (SPC) 55th Meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA) and the 14 Conference of the Pacific's Community meeting this week, under the theme "Pasifiki: Rooted in heritage, honouring the past, united for a resilient future."

The 55^th CRGA meeting officially opened today, 14 October, 2025, at the Fa'onelua Convention Center in Nuku'alofa and will run until 15 October.

These meetings gather government officials, ministers, and heads of governments and administrations to review the SPC's work, share regional priorities, and establish the organization's strategic direction for the coming year.

At the opening of the 55^th CRGA, SPC’s Director General, Stuart Minchin said, “Through strong partnerships, innovation, and the dedication of our staff, we have continued to deliver tangible results for members, strengthening resilience, advancing regional priorities, and demonstrating the power of collective action across the Pacific community."

The Chair of CRGA55 and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tuvalu, Pasuna Tuaga in his remarks said, “As a region, our strength is in our unity. For seven years, the Pacific community has been a pillar of regional corporation, providing trusted scientific and technical support to advance our priorities and support our needs."

“We gather at a critical time, climate impacts, economic fragility, and shifting global dynamics, reminding us that business as usual is not an option. And we must continue to be bold, collaborative, and innovative in shaping solutions that improve the value of our people. And as we move forward, let us be guided by the principle of unities through the diversity, respecting the unique priorities of each member while standing together as one blue Pacific continent.”

(front row, middle) SPC’s Director General, Stuart Minchin, and Chair of CRGA55, Pasuna Tuaga. Nuku'alofa, 14 October 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

The 14^th Conference of the Pacific Community will be held later this week, from 16-17 October, during which a new Director-General will be appointed to serve the region for the next six years.

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the largest Pacific-governed scientific and technical knowledge organization, serving 27 Pacific Island countries and territories.