“Outgoing Chair appreciates Tonga’s tenure of the Pacific IslandsForum”

GOVERNMENT OF TONGA
MEDIA RELEASE
(9th September, 2025)

Honiara, 8 September, 2025:- The Government and People of Solomon Islands hosted the Opening
Ceremony of the 54th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting at National Stadium in Honiara in a spectacular
display of diversity dances demonstrating the cultural richness of the Blue Pacific Continent.
In a heartwarming speech, the Outgoing Chair, Hon Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, Prime Minister of Tonga
reiterated Tonga’s journey as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and opportunities presented from the
common challenges of climate change and compounded complex global impact of post pandemic and
natural disasters, calling for the Pacific peoples to work together as a Forum Family focusing on their
unity and resilience rather than their vulnerabilities.
The climate emergency crisis is on the priority agenda. The establishment of the Pacific Resilience
Facility in Tonga as a country of domicile is not only a positive move for the region but also for Tonga.
The Prime Minister reflected on the importance of partnerships to deliver the implementation of the
region’s 2050 Strategy ensuring collaboration rather than dividing up the Blue Pacific family – with
respect to national sovereignty and priorities.
The Prime Minister emphasized that in order to realise the 2050 vision, the regional architecture
requires a regional system that is agile, responsive, and adaptive – underpinned by partnerships that
deliver meaningful outcomes for the people of the region.
As outgoing chair, Tonga reassured the Solomon Islands of its continued support to the Forum Chair
and regional agenda, renewing its commitment under the PIFLM54 theme – “ Iumi Tugeda: Act Now
for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent”.
The Prime Minister recognised that Tonga’s chairmanship would not have been possible without the
unwavering support of His Majesty The King, the Government and the people of Tonga,
acknowledging the nation’s collective action and resolve.
Full Transcript of the Outgoing Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum attached.
-ENDS

Issued by the: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 7401351 Fax: (676)
23 888; For media enquiries- Email: pmopressroom@gmail.com Website: www.pmo.gov.to