Pacific leaders arriving for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga were given a grand red carpet welcome at Fua’amotu International Airport. The leaders were greeted with a brass band and a solo dance performance.
The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa, arrived on Thursday and was received by Paula Ma’u, Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet. Following his arrival, SG Waqa paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, expressing his gratitude for the preparations made for the Leaders meeting.
The President of the Federated States of Micronesia, William Simina, President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, and Palau’s Minister of State, Gustav Aitaro, also landed in Tonga on Thursday aboard a Boeing 757 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). They were greeted by Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu K Vaipulu, along with other key ministers including Hon. Fekita Utoikamanu, Minister for the Ministry of MEIDECC, Hon. Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu, Minister of Trade and Economic Development and Minister of Tourism, Lord Fohe, Minister for MAFF, and Chief Secretary Paula Ma’u.
Earlier on Thursday, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Hon. Feleti Teo, arrived via Fiji Airways and was welcomed by Hon. Fekita Utoikamanu and Chief Secretary Paula Ma’u.
The remaining Pacific leaders, including the Secretary Generals for both the Commonwealth and United Nations, are expected to arrive in Tonga tomorrow.
