Tonga's Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva is visiting in Japan to attend the Seventh Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7) on May 21-23 in Iwaki City.
He joins leaders from Japan and Pacific Island Forum member countries in Tokyo and Iwaki City to review and work out Japan’s assistance program in relation to disaster risk management.
In a statement the Tonga Prime Minister's Office said that PM Pohiva is also expected to hold bilateral talks with high level leaders and Japan’s Foreign Minister Kishida. “Issues will include the environment, climate change and disaster management, human security, maritime order and resource management, trade/investment promotion for economic nation building, disaster reconstruction and local economy promotion.”
He will also meet with Tongan community and students from Nippon Sports Science University.
PALM7 is co-chaired by Japan’s Prime Minister HE Mr Shinzo Abe and HE Mr Tommy E. Remengesau Jr, the President of Palau.
Tonga’s delegation includes the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Dr Palenitina Langa’oi, Foreign Affairs Secretary Va’inga Tone, Director of the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) Leveni ‘Aho ,and Tonga’s Ambassador to Japan HE Tania Tupou (Head of Mission to Palm 7).
PIF members include leaders and representatives from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, FSM, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
