Photos by Tupou Vaipulu Jr.

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres arrived at Fua'amotu International Airport in Tonga at 7:30pm yesterday 24 August 2024, to attend the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

The Secretary General arrived on a special Royal New Zealand Air Force flight from Auckland, with leaders and delegates from several Pacific countries. They were welcomed on a red carpet at the airport by Tongan officials. Guterres walked down the red carpet accompanied by Tonga's UN Ambassador H.E. Vainga Tone.

Also arriving on the flight was the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Leaders from Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Niue, Vanuatu and Tokelau, included the Prime Minister of Samoa, Afioga Fiamē e Naomi Mata'afa; the President of French Polynesia, Moetai Brotherson; and the Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, and others.

Delegates arrived on several different flights scheduled throughout the day and more will arrive on Monday.

The Tonga High School under-16 Brass Band played at the airport to welcome the group this evening, as they walked to the VIP lounge.

The official opening of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will be held at the Tonga High School Indoor Stadium at 9:00am on Monday 26 August.

On Sunday 25 August leaders and their spouses and delegates may attend a church service at the FWC- Centenary Church, followed by a Sunday lunch at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall. A choral night (Po Hiva) will be held at the Falemasiva Hall, Tailulu College.