Tonga's Foreign Minister, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala attended the 6th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers Meeting held this week, 8-9 December, in Seoul, South Korea.

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat said this marked the first Korea – Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to include all PIF members.

The Crown Prince joined the President of New Caledonia, HE Alcide Ponga, Prime Minister of Niue, Hon. Dalton Talelagi, and Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, to reaffirm the Foreign Ministers commitment to deepening cooperation with South Korea under the theme “Partnerships for a Resilient, Peaceful, and Prosperous Pacific”.

Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka in his opening remarks said the partnership between Korea and PIF is grounded in shared values and a shared commitment to the well-being of our peoples.

“Our partnership is strengthened when it aligns with Pacific-led mechanisms, and today’s outcomes reflect our shared commitment to safeguarding our ocean, our resources, and the stability of our region,” said Hon. Agovaka.

Korea’s Foreign Minister, HE Cho Hyun said the consultations with the Pacific would continue by building a more structured framework for collaboration, “the Pacific must remain an arena of coexistence, harmony and cooperation,” he said.

Korea reaffirmed its recognition of the Pacific Islands Forum as the region’s premier political body and acknowledged the outcomes of the 54th PIF Leaders Meeting in Honiara in September.

He welcomed key regional achievements, including the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace declaration, and progress on the Leaders’ Policy on Partnerships and further expressed its commitment to advancing cooperation in technology and innovation and strengthening regional security.

Climate leadership

On climate leadership, the Forum Ministers stressed the urgency of global action and welcomed Korea’s strong engagement on the climate agenda. Forum Ministers also expressed support for continued ambition aligned with the 1.5°C pathway and noted Korea’s announcement of its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Forum Ministers also reaffirmed the importance of sustainable ocean governance and acknowledged Korea’s constructive role at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

They commended Korea’s support for combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including initiatives delivered through the Korea–PIF Cooperation Fund, and emphasised the need for ongoing alignment with Pacific-led mechanisms.

Meanwhile, the Ministers committed to deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges and strengthening cooperation to support innovation, digital connectivity, and trade.

The PIF Ministers welcomed Korea’s initiative to co-host the 4th United Nations Ocean Conference with Chile in 2028, recognising this as a significant opportunity to amplify Pacific leadership and drive greater global investment and action to safeguard the ocean.

On this occasion, Korea announced its intention to contribute to the PRF next year.

The biennial discussions, which are held to strengthen political dialogue and partnership, was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, HE Hyun Cho, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka.

A PIF Secretariat delegation led by Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, provided support to the regional ministerial delegation.

The first Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers meeting was launched in 2011, and the next meeting will be held in 2027.