The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua is attending the 52nd Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference in Honiara this week, focused on “building strong and resilient parliaments”.

Hosted by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands from 2-6 July, more than 50 Presiding Officers, Speakers and Clerks from 18 Parliaments in the Pacific and Australia Regions are in attendance.

The Speaker of the Solomon Islands, Hon. Patterson Oti in opening the conference said the 52^nd Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference provides a valuable opportunity for the Pacific Presiding Officers and Clerks to come together with our counterparts from across the Pacific and Australia regions to exchange ideas, share experiences and expand our knowledge of parliamentary practice and procedure.

"The theme for the 52^nd POCC of ‘Building Strong and Resilient Parliaments’ underscores our commitment to the development of robust democratic institutions in our Region.”

Parliament Office in Nuku'alofa stated that Hon. Patterson Oti was elected Chair and the President of the Legislative Council of Parliament of South Australia, Hon. Terry Stephens as the Deputy Chair.

Other programs included jurisdiction reports from some of the Parliaments and presentations made on representation, resilience and innovation and parliamentary privileges and procedures.

Lord Fakafanua who is accampanied by Deputy Clerk, Dr Sione Vikilani also chaired the presentations on Parliamentary Partnership and Engagement, on 5 July.

At the same time, the chairmanship for the next conference was handed over to Hon. Terry Stephens, who will host the 53^rd POC Conference in Adelaide in 2024.