The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has embarked on a two-week mission across the Pacific, starting with his arrival in Samoa. This marks Guterres’ first visit to the region in five years, during which he will also visit New Zealand, Tonga, and East Timor.
A highlight of his trip will be attending the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Nuku’alofa, commencing on Monday. In Tonga, Guterres plans to visit areas still recovering from the 2022 tsunami, participate in a PIF dialogue with leaders, and conduct several bilateral meetings.
A spokesperson for Guterres expressed hopes that the mission would enhance awareness regarding the significance of climate action, particularly in terms of early warning systems, as well as adaptation and mitigation strategies. The visit aims to underscore the effects of rising sea levels within the region and globally, according to spokesperson Farhan Haq.
The mission began in Samoa, where discussions on climate change took precedence, followed by a stop in Auckland ahead of the PIF Leaders Meeting. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon expressed a strong interest in receiving updates on ceasefire negotiations in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. He emphasized the necessity of both parties to engage in dialogue to progress towards a ceasefire, asserting that military action will not resolve the issues at hand.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters mentioned that he would be dining with Guterres on Friday night.