PM Hon. Hu’akavameiliku concludes Pacific Islands Leaders’ Retreat Meetings in Fiji

The Prime Minister arrived in Fiji on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 and was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and a full traditional welcome on February 22.

The Leaders’ Meeting in Fiji was a milestone moment in regionalism for Leaders, reaffirming the Forum solidarity with the return of the Republic of Kiribati to the Forum.

And it showed the continuing support of the 51st Forum Meetings theme, “Reflection, Renewal, and Celebration”.

The visit to Fiji was also an opportunity for the Forum Troika (Fiji, Cook Islands and Tonga) to meet and discuss important issues regarding the transition of the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum from Fiji (outgoing) to the incoming host of the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum, Cook Islands, and the host of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum, Tonga in 2024.

The Special Leaders’ Retreat was an opportunity for Leaders to resolve outstanding issues of the Forum regarding the Suva Agreement, and reaffirm the solidarity of the Forum Family, in welcoming the return of the Republic of Kiribati to the PIF.

On the governance and day to day operation of the Forum, the Leaders also renewed their collective support and commitment to the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the progress of the Review of the Regional Architecture, including the security of the future of the Pacific Ocean and the marine life that it sustains.

Polynesian Leaders Meet

On the margins of the Forum Meetings, the Members had an opportunity to meet at Sub-regional level, where the Honourable Prime Minister attended a meeting of the Polynesian Leaders Group (PLG) on February 23. The reconvening of the face-to-face meeting of the PLG was also timely, as it considered key issues to be tabled in the Leaders’ Retreat, inclusive of agenda items important to the Polynesian members itself, in its socio-economic, technological development and climate security.

The Leaders also discussed procedural and budget arrangements in regard to the setup of the Polynesian Sub-Regional Office, which will be based in Nuku’alofa, with multi-sectoral representatives across the Polynesian Members to be assigned to the Office, to be later opened in April 2023. The Meeting of Polynesian Leaders also formalized the handover of the Chairmanship of the PLG for 2023-2024, from the Cook Islands to French Polynesia.

Hon Hu’akavameiliku made constructive contribution to the PLG’s revisiting of the status of the Charter for Membership applications and the PLG processes going forward.

In parallel with the Forum Meetings, a Forum Officials Committee Meeting was held on 22 February, where the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u attended for Tonga.

The Honourable Prime Minister also led the Tonga delegation to the 2023 Pacific Early Childhood Education Forum as Minister for Education and Training from February 22-24, with objectives to promote a multi-sectorial approach at political, policy to technical level, promoting a better appreciation of the importance of the cross-cutting roles and collective responsibilities played by the sectors of education, health, social protection and finance to support parents and children in building a resilient Pacific through early childhood development.

Troika and side meetings

During the four-day visit to Fiji, the Prime Minister had the opportunity to meet with the Forum Troika, Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Hon. Mark Brown, as well as Heads of States and Governments from the Pacific conducting high-level deliberations and discussions to encourage opportunities for prosperity and security in the Kingdom and the region at large.

Among the issues raised by the Prime Minister of Tonga and discussed on the margins of the Forum Meetings, in relation to the Government of Fiji and Forum Members, was the current tuition fees structures for Pacific Islanders University students, attending the University of the South Pacific, in comparison to international students from outside the region, studying at the same University. One of the key challenges experienced by students and their families studying in the region, is the high costs of tuition that is applicable and affordable by international students.

The challenges and experience learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic and the border closure which left many Tongans, stranded in Australia and New Zealand to be repatriated to the Kingdom, has highlighted the critical importance of Forum Member countries revising bilateral visa waiver agreements to reciprocate visa on arrival status for all visitors, which Tonga had extended to travelers from abroad visiting the Kingdom.

The Prime Minister also pursued high-level discussions on securing a better future for Tonga’s aviation and transport sector, by conducting a site visit to the Fiji Airways Academy, accompanied by the CEO of Lulutai, Mr Poasi Tei and Board Members of the Lulutai Airlines. They viewed the company’s facilities and explored the technical and operational opportunities for partnership between Tonga and Fiji, as well as continuing the dialogue at the political level with the Prime Minister of Fiji, to assist in the development of Tonga’s domestic and international airline.

- PMO