Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku is leading a delegation to the 9th Our Ocean Conference, which will take place from 16-17 April 2024, in Athens, Greece. The Conference will address cross cutting areas including Sustainable Tourism in coastal areas and islands, reduction of marine plastic and micro-plastic pollution, green shipping, and green transition in the Mediterranean.

Ahead of the conference, the Hon. Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with his Cook Islands counterpart, Hon. Mark Brown, discussing areas of interest, the Prime Minister's Office reported.

Meanwhile, PM Hon. Hu'akavameiliku and his new Minister for Environment, Hon. Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu, attended a "Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum Roundtable Luncheon" hosted by Waitt Institute and the U.S. State Department. The event brought together ocean leaders and champions, and high-level participants, including Senator John Kerry from the USA, to discuss pathways to successfully implementing Global Biodiversity Framework commitments, including 30 percent protection, and explore actions to urge public support, harness international recognition and drive sustainable financing.

The Prime Minister also held a bilateral meeting with American businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Ted Waitt, undertaking significant conservation work in Tonga and the region on the ocean space.

Accompanying the Prime Minister is the Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Hon. Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu; the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Mr. Paula Ma'u; Dr. Fonongava'inga Mangisi from MEIDECC, and other government officials.