Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has arrived in Tonga for the 53rd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting. The gathering, themed “Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now,” is scheduled to occur from August 26 to August 30.
Tonga’s government is hosting the Forum, and the meeting will be chaired by Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni. Additionally, PM Rabuka is set to engage with the Fijian community in Tonga later today.
Rabuka was part of a three-leader delegation from the Pacific for a Forum Troika-led mission to New Caledonia, prompted by unrest that began on May 13, 2024. The mission aimed to present its findings to the Forum Leaders during this week’s meeting.
However, a statement issued this week indicated that the New Caledonia Government has raised several concerns regarding due process and protocol that must be addressed before a Troika visit can proceed. The Leaders meeting will delve into the situation in New Caledonia and outline strategies for moving forward to address the issues there.