The Uto ni Yalo has arrived in Tonga for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting after a challenging week at sea. The crew brought a message that aligns with the 2024 Pacific Islands Forum theme, “Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now,” focusing on peace, prosperity, and resilience.
This journey exemplified traditional voyaging, sustainable sea transport, and the importance of ocean health. Margaret Tabunakawai-Vakalalabure, Chair of Uto Ni Yalo Trustees, compared the voyage’s difficulties to the larger challenges faced by Pacific Regionalism, calling for a united effort toward the welfare of the Pacific and its populace.
The arrival of the Uto ni Yalo underscored the necessity for sustainable ocean management and the protection of marine resources, as leaders deliberated the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. During its time in Nuku’alofa, the Uto ni Yalo interacted with Pacific leaders and communities to tackle crucial issues.
The voyage conveyed a message that the ocean, oft referred to as an Ocean of Peace, serves as a unifying force for the islands and must be honored. Ian Chute from Blue Prosperity Fiji emphasized the significance of sustainable ocean management and regional collaboration. The voyage received support from numerous organizations, including the Waitt Institute, Blue Prosperity Coalition, Oceans 5, and Greenpeace Australia Pacific.