By Katalina Siasau

Tonga will host the the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meetings from 26 - 30 August, 2024 in Nuku'alofa, with the theme "Transformative Resilient Pasifiki; Build Better Now."

Last night, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala unveiled the Government's chosen theme and logo at a special launch event attended by the Forum Secretary General Mr Henry Puna, at the Fa'onelua Convention Center, in Nuku'alofa.

Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, as the incoming Chair of the 53^rd PIF Leaders Meeting, said it would focus on results. “Tonga understands first hand the importance of building resilience at all levels, community, national, and regional,” he said.

Tonga has the opportunity to champion the idea of transformative resilience at this meeting, “drawing on its own unique experiences of the last few years."

He recalled the devastaion of Cyclone Gita (2018), the HTHH volcanic eruption (2022) followed by the arrival of Covid-19, which combined  to cause unprecedented damaged to Tonga's homes, families, villages, and economy.

Education and Health

On top of these challenges, the PM noted, “we have dealt with transnational crime, with rising energy and goods prices, and at the same time, our education and health indicators have lacked due to the disruption of natural disaster."

Education and Health are areas that Tonga wishes to prioritise in this year's Forum.

He said the members of the Forum are facing common challenges, including health, education, and the same need for financing to keep our public and private sectors afloat.

“With our unique vulnerabilities, we must build resilience into everything we do," he said.

Unity overcomes adversity

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Henry Puna, encouraged the forum's members that by working together, united, to overcome adversity.

"We live in a region that continues to grapple with the multitude of challenges, economic, political, social and climate related threats. But while these challenges are great, they have not and will not deter us from our efforts to work together to address and overcome them because the truth is, it is only in our unity that we can truly overcome adversity."

“The success of this Forum rests not only on the shoulder of your Government, but on the shoulders of each and every Tongan here in the Kingdom and right across the globe."

Mr. Puna also noted that Tonga’s leadership, diplomacy, and foresight as incoming Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum will be very important.

Attending the event were HE Cardinal Mafi, Bishop of Tonga and Niue; the Speaker of Tonga's Legislative Assembly, Lord Fakafanua, Members of the Cabinet, Australia's Special Envoy to the Pacific, Mr. Ewen McDonald; foreign diplomats, and government CEOs.