21 October 2022

𝘕𝘶𝘬𝘶’𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘧𝘢 – The confirmation of the new Embassy of the United States of America in Tonga and the Dialysis Centre in Nuku’alofa are some of the major outcomes from recent meetings attended by the Honourable Prime Minister in the last few weeks.

The Hon Hua’kavameiliku made the confirmations at a press conference here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ conference room yesterday afternoon (October 20, 2022).

Following meetings with the Senior White House officials in Washington last month, confirmation was received that the proposed Embassy is now top priority, with discussions on Consular Service set up to cater for locals needing visa.

“A team was here in Tonga last month for assessment and we will work with them on their timeline,” Hon Hu’akavameiliku stated.

The Hon Prime Minister also confirmed that following meetings in Salt Lake with a foundation on the Dialysis Centre plans, a plan is to have an operational centre by May 2023.

“The ground breaking ceremony is planned for the end of this year and we are grateful that this important health service will be available for our locals who need it. Having said that educating Tongans on diets etc will also be very important of efforts to combating diabetes” he added.

The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation to Tongans in the US that welcomed him and his delegation.

“We wanted to meet Tongans in US to convey to them our sincere appreciation for their continuing support to Tonga especially after the volcanic eruption/tsunami. We also wanted to inform them of development in Tonga and to find out if there are issues that we can assist with,” Hon Huakavameiliku stated.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲

The Hon Prime Minister stated that discussions with American President and US Government focused on the new Embassy, Climate Change and the challenge of retaining carbon emission at 1.5%, capacity building and opportunities for Tongans in US, cyber and maritime security especially in monitoring our ocean and the increasing costs of living that is affecting everyone at this time.

Hon Hu’akavameiliku met with President Biden along with Pacific Island Leaders at the White House.

𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀

The Office of the Attorney General had negotiated the settlement with the Pacific Games Council as in our earlier press releases.

The settlement is confidential.

Government hope that there is still an opportunity to host future Pacific Games.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Hon Prime Minister said the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic and tsunami reconstruction program is progressing as well as expected, with 40 houses completed.

Building Ha’apai houses are scheduled to start with completing the distribution of supplies next week, with plans to have most done before the end of the year.

Hon Hu’akavameiliku thanked the Ministry of Lands and Survey and the Ministry of Infrastructure for the work being done.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿

New Finance Minister Tiofilusi Tiueti has been officially appointed to start on October 17, 2022.

Hon Hu’akavameiliku confirmed that he is on official travel attending World Bank and IMF meeting and will be back on October 24.

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀

The Hon Prime Minister conveyed Government and the country’s best wishes to both the Tala netball team and the Mate Ma’a Tonga rugby league side.

Both teams are currently competing in international competitions in Australia and Great Britain respectively.