Tongan PM to attend Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting in Japan [1]
Friday, May 15, 2009 - 19:30. Updated on Thursday, July 30, 2015 - 16:30.
Tonga's Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele will be attending the Fifth Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Hokkaido, Japan on May 22-23.
This was officially announced by the new Japanese Ambassador in Tonga HE Mr Yasuo Takase this afternoon, Friday May 15.
PALM was initiated by Japan in 1997 to strengthen relations with Pacific Island Forum countries and work strongly towards the development of the Pacific Region. The meeting has also become a forum where leaders exchange opinions on important matters.
This year it is attended by the Prime Minister of Japan Mr Taro Aso and leaders from 16 Pacific Forum Island countries who will deliberate under the theme "We are Islanders! Towards an eco-friendly and rich Pacific".
Climate change
The Ambassador said there are three main objectives in the meeting the first is "Eco-friendly: creating a Pacific Environmental Community" aimed at addressing environmental and climate change issues. Second is "Rich: Overcoming vulnerabilities and promoting human security" and will discuss human security issues particularly in the areas of health, water supply, and education with focus on capacity building. It will also look at Japan providing assistance to alleviate the adverse impact of the global economic crisis on Pacific islands. The third objective "We are Islanders: People to People exchange" looks at strengthening people to people exchange between Japan and Pacific Islands in a comprehensive and strategic manner.
Leaders will also follow up on the Okinawa Partnership adopted in the 2006 PALM 4, which further consolidated Japan's commitment to the development of Pacific Island Forum countries.
The Ambassador said this meeting would be co chaired by the Prime Minister of Japan and Mr Toke Talagi, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Niue Premier.
He added since PALM began in Tokyo in 1997 there had been four meetings and Tonga attended all them. Firstly by PM Baron Vaea in 1997 then by former Prime Minister (now Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka) in 2000 and 2003. Dr Feleti Sevele attended his first PALM in 2006.
Fiji
The Ambassador also confirmed Fiji's attendance at PALM 5 and it will be represented by the Fijian Ambassador in Japan.
He said Japan invited Fiji to attend but not the Commander Frank Bainimarama.