“Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Meets New Prime Minister of Tonga.”

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

(24th January, 2025)
“Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Meets New Prime Minister of Tonga.”

Nuku’alofa- The Prime Minister of Tonga and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, met with the PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa, on 24 February 2025 in Tonga.
Secretary General Waqa, accompanied by a delegation from the Forum Secretariat, provided a high-level briefing to the Forum Chair on the region’s key priorities leading up to the 54th PIF Leaders Meeting in September in Solomon Islands.

The Prime Minister considered comprehensive updates on political developments in the region and the key priorities for the PIF in 2025, including: the Review of the Regional Architecture, the Pacific Resilience Facility, the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development and the preparations for the High-Level Talanoa on Deep Sea Minerals to take place in February 2025 in Suva, Fiji.

“I am committed to continuing Tonga’s leadership role in the region and I look forward to working with colleague Leaders, to advance the regional priorities of the Pacific Islands Forum. Recognising the importance of the work programme before us as the Forum, I am grateful that the Secretariat General was able to facilitate a comprehensive briefing on the expectations of Tonga and the deliverables this year, as the region works towards the Leaders Meeting in Honiara in September this year,” said Forum Chair and Prime Minister Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke.

The briefing also highlighted critical Forum engagements at both regional and international levels, emphasising Tonga’s leadership role as PIF Chair. This includes chairing pivotal ministerial meetings in 2025, including the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, Forum Trade Ministers Meeting, and Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting.

“I am heartened by the support and commitment of the Forum Chair. He brings with him deep insights and views on regional priorities, especially as they relate to political and economic development and regional system efficiencies. I look forward to supporting him and Forum Leaders over the coming months,” said Secretary General Baron Waqa.

Tonga will be home to the Pacific-led and Pacific-owned Pacific Resilience Facility, a critical initiative that provides funding for climate change adaptation, disaster preparedness, and community resilience projects across Pacific Island nations.

-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