PM leaves for Tokyo [1]
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - 16:33
Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano will attend the Second PALM Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo on October 26-27, four-days after returning to Tonga after receiving medical treatment overseas.
The Prime Minister joins leaders and Foreign Affairs ministers from 16 Pacific Island countries at the meeting to monitor the progress and evaluate the implementation of their commitments made at the last PALM 6 Meeting in 2012.
Topics for PALM 7 to be held in 2015 will be discussed including the dates and venues to be announced at the meeting.
A major highlight will be the leaders discussion of a proposed symposium on island countries and communities trade and product promotion to focus on commercial agriculture. Tonga is to host this symposium in the first half of 2014, according to the Prime Minister's Office in Nuku'alofa.
Pacific Island leaders and ministers would also have an opportunity to review Japan’s assistance towards the Pacific, and the ongoing commitment towards self sustained socio-economic development in the spirit of equal partnership.They would also address issues relating to bilateral and multilateral relations with Japan regarding environmental issues, climate change, disaster risk management, maritime order and resource management which are among key concerns of the region.
Lord Tu’ivakano is expected to meet with the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs HE Mr Fumio Kishida and senior officials to reaffirm Tonga’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
The Prime Minister who left Tonga last night is expected to return on October 30.
The PALM meeting was which was initiated by Japan in 1997 to strengthen relations with Pacific Island Forum countries and work strongly towards the development of the Pacific Region, is held every three-years.