Climate change is set to dominate the discussions as leaders from 18 nations gather in Tonga for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) from August 26 to 30, 2024. The forum, themed "Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now," will focus on enhancing the resilience of Pacific Island nations against the growing threats of climate change, which have disproportionately affected the region.
The forum will bring together leaders from across the Pacific, emphasising collective action and the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Tonga’s Prime Minister, Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, has underscored the importance of moving beyond policy discussions to achieve tangible results at the national level. This reflects the urgent need for practical measures to combat the severe impacts of climate change, which threaten the livelihoods and environments of these island nations.
Aside from climate change, the forum will also address other critical issues, including economic development, disaster resilience, and geopolitical challenges, particularly the increasing strategic competition between major powers like the United States and China in the Pacific region. Despite these complex dynamics, the focus remains on unifying the Pacific nations to enhance their collective influence and secure a sustainable future for their people.
As Tonga hosts this crucial gathering, the nation not only reaffirms its leadership in the region but also highlights the ongoing recovery from past disasters, such as the devastating Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption, underscoring the forum’s focus on building resilient communities and economies
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