Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva is not fit to travel this week to take part in three major events in Europe and Malta, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

“Due to the results of his medical check-up last week, he has sent his regrets that he is not able to travel such a long distance,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement today. No further details were given about the Prime Minister's condition.

Hon. Pohiva travelled to New Zealand on November 9 for "routine medical check-ups", according to an earlier statement from PMO.

Concerns about the PM’s health were also noticed at a press conference on October 23, when Hon. Pohiva was joined by his personal assistant - his son Po’oi Pohiva, and through the microphone the media along with the rest of the country on the live broadcast could hear Po’oi repeating the questions and telling him what he should say in response.

CHOGM

Tonga is sending other representatives to CHOGM in Malta 24-29 November; as well as the 4^th France-Oceania Summit in Paris, France on 26 November; and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, France 30 November to 11 December 2015.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry & Fisheries, Hon. Semisi Fakahau, is leading the Tonga Government delegation to CHOGM. The theme for this year’s meeting is ‘The Commonwealth – Adding Global Value’ which highlights Commonwealth solutions for small and developing states.  He is accompanied by Secretary for Foreign Affairs,  Va’inga Tone.

France-Oceania Summit

Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. Palenitina Langa’oi, leads Tonga’s delegation to the 4^th France-Oceania Summit in Paris. Forum countries and France will have dialogue about current political and security, economic, environmental, social and development issues. 

“It will also be an opportunity for Members to reaffirm agreed partnership positions across all areas of interest with France,“ the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

The delgation includes Tonga’s Permanent Ambassador to the UN, Mahe Tupouniua, and a Legal Officer ‘Elisapeta Lemoto. They will later join the CHOGM meeting and UNFCCC meeting.

UNFCCC

The Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni will lead Tonga’s delegation to the UNFCCC, in particular, the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 21) and the 11^th session of the Meeting of the Parties (CMP 11) to the Kyoto Protocol.  He is expected tol arrive in Paris on 2  December and will deliver Tonga’s national statement at the High Level Segment on 7 December. 

“The objective of this conference is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate change. 

The delegation includes CEO MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma’u, CEO Finance, Tatafu Moeaki, Solicitor General Sione Sisifa.