Tongan Olympic officials are attending the LA28 Oceania Forum in Auckland, this week, aimed at strengthening regional preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, USA.

Tonga Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee Secretary General and CEO Netina Latu Vea and LA28 Chef de Mission Takitoa Taumoepeau joined National Olympic Committee leaders, Team Managers and Games personnel from across Oceania for the opening of the Forum on Monday.

The Forum was officially opened by the Oceania National Olympic Committees in partnership with the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Solidarity and the LA28 Organising Committee. It is the first of five regional forums being delivered globally ahead of the Los Angeles Games.

The meeting is being held alongside the 2026 ONOC Annual General Assembly Week and focuses on Games preparation, operational readiness and athlete support systems.

ONOC President Baklai Temengil-Chilton said the Forum was designed to help National Olympic Committees strengthen Games planning processes and operational delivery.

“This is not simply another meeting on the calendar. It is a working Forum. A practical Forum, and most importantly, an outcomes-driven Forum,” she said.

She said the aim was for each National Olympic Committee to leave with a stronger athlete-centred Games plan covering logistics, accreditation, athlete welfare and Games-time decision-making.

IOC Associate Director of Olympic Solidarity Olivier Niamkey reaffirmed the IOC’s commitment to supporting Oceania nations in their preparations for LA28.

The Forum continues this week with workshops, planning sessions and collaborative discussions ahead of Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.