The Pacific ACP Trade Officials Meeting commenced on Wednesday, where Tonga’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Distaquaine Tu’ihalamaka, called for united action to advance the region’s trade ambitions. Minister Tu’ihalamaka highlighted the importance of resilience and collaborative efforts among Pacific nations as they review past achievements and plan for future initiatives.
During her remarks, Tu’ihalamaka emphasized that, while the region has faced various challenges, the unwavering spirit of Pacific countries stands as a beacon of hope. She noted the pressing need to ensure that the benefits of trade and investment reach all nations equitably, as she urged participants to pool their resources and knowledge.
The Minister detailed an ambitious agenda for the meeting, including discussions on the Pacific Regional Integration Support Programme—an essential framework for enhancing economic integration across the Pacific. She stressed the need to shift from merely creating policies to effectively implementing them, ensuring that they impact the lives of Pacific people directly.
Key topics for discussion included the ongoing negotiations related to the Interim-Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA), with Tu’ihalamaka underscoring its importance for transitioning from policy to action that meets the real needs of Pacific nations. Notably, she expressed eagerness for the shared wisdom and insights from all participating nations, recognizing their unique experiences as vital in shaping the path forward.
Calls for unity and collaboration resonated throughout the meeting, as Tu’ihalamaka reinforced that only through collective efforts can the region rise above its challenges and create sustainable, positive change for its citizens.
The recent discussions mirror themes from the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, where regional leaders called for streamlined implementation of policies addressing climate change, economic development, and shared resilience across Pacific communities. As such, this meeting stands as a beacon of hope for progress and enhanced cooperation among Pacific nations in the face of both local and global challenges.
The future of the Pacific trade agenda holds promise as the region continues to unite against adversity, striving for an equitable and prosperous shared future.
Leave a comment