Outgoing Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Tonga Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke opened the 54th Leaders Meeting in Honiara with a message of unity, resilience, and gratitude, recalling Tonga’s own recent challenges while urging the region to act together for its people.
“It is a profound honour to gather with you all here in Honiara in the Happy Isles — for the 54th Meeting of our Pacific Islands Forum Leaders,” Eke said.
He thanked host Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and the people of Solomon Islands for their warm welcome.
“Prime Minister Manele — with great respect and admiration that I extend deep appreciation to you, the Government and the people of Solomon Islands for making us feel welcome, with your generous hospitality,” he said.
Reflecting on Tonga’s turn as Forum host, Eke recalled the dramatic opening in Nuku’alofa marked by extreme weather and a powerful earthquake.
“But none can be as memorable, and engraved in the minds of Leaders and delegates, partners and climate finance and invited guests from all around the world to have to experience and have lived through an opening ceremony with heavy rains, flooding and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake,” he said.
He said the experience was not one of vulnerability but of resilience.
“That experience did not define us as vulnerable but as people of great resilience and people of unity pressing through with perseverance and determination. And for Tonga we were blessed to have everyone who’s anyone experience what we went through that day!” Eke said.
He pointed to the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption, tsunami, and the pandemic as challenges that tested the region’s strength and highlighted the urgency of resilience.
“The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami, compounded with the post pandemic and the existential threat of the climate crisis — has tested our faith and our strength,” he said.
Eke stressed that Pacific people are guardians of their ocean and lands, united under a shared vision.
“As Pacific people are custodians of our ocean, guardians of our island and champions of sustainability for generations to come. We all belong to one Pacific Household as we have affirmed yesterday at the St Barnabas Church,” he said.
He also linked the Forum’s work to its guiding theme.
“It was a service to renew our spirit our hope for the region as we gather here in the Solomon Island under the guiding theme — Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent,” Eke said.
