Photos by Tupou Vaipulu Jr

Pacific Island Forum Leaders flew to Vava'u this morning on chartered flights, for the Leaders Retreat Meeting of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting 2024, held at the Puataukanave Hotel in Neiafu. The fourth day of their gathering turned on blue skies in contrast to the torrential downpours that greeted the ministers on their first day in Tongatapu on Monday.

They were welcomed with Tongan necklaces at the Puataukanave Hotel, where their closed meeting will be followed by a reception and dinner for Forum leaders and spouses at the Wolfgramm Beachfront this evening.

The Pacific Islands Forum comprises 18 members – Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Leaders in Vava'u include the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, attending his third Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting, joined by his Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand is attending the retreat to discuss important issues affecting the region, including climate resilience, education, health and regional security.

On Friday, leaders will be taken for a sightseeing cruise with on-board breakfast, in the Vava'u harbour, before returning to Tongatapu for lunch at the Katea Restaurant, Nakolo.

The closing ceremony of the 53rd PIF Leaders Meetings will be held at the Tonga High School Indoor Stadium on Friday afternoon.

There are said to be more than 1,500 delegates from more than 40 countries at this year’s meeting of Pacific member states. Most will stay in Tongatapu conducting side meetings to further their agendas.

There are 21 dialogue partners of the PIF. The week's events have been attended by the largest ever delegation from China and a large delegation from the United States, led by Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell. Dozens of countries have sent representatives.

The Pacific Islands Forum is the region’s top multilateral body and the PIF Leaders Meeting is the most important annual meeting of leaders of all PIF member states.