United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is set to embark on a series of visits to the Pacific Islands and East Asia, beginning next week. His tour, which emphasises the impacts of climate change and the importance of international cooperation, will include stops in Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga, and Timor-Leste.
Guterres will first visit Samoa from August 21-23, where he will meet with Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa. The focus of his visit will be on the severe impacts of climate change in the country, which is among the most vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
Following his visit to Samoa, the Secretary-General will make a brief stop in Auckland, New Zealand, from August 23-24. There, he will meet with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to discuss regional climate issues and New Zealand’s role in supporting Pacific Island nations.
From August 24-27, Guterres will be in Tonga to participate in the Pacific Islands Forum, a key event for regional leaders to discuss pressing issues, including climate change. Guterres will also visit sites affected by the 2022 tsunami to raise awareness of the importance of climate action, particularly in implementing early warning systems, adaptation, and mitigation strategies.
In both Samoa and Tonga, Guterres will engage with local communities and civil society representatives, including youth, to emphasise the critical need for global climate action. His visit will also highlight the broader issue of sea level rise, which poses a significant threat to the Pacific region and beyond.
Guterres will conclude his tour in Timor-Leste from August 28-31, where he will participate in the 25th-anniversary commemoration of the Popular Consultation, a landmark event organized by the United Nations that led to Timor-Leste’s independence. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, President José Ramos-Horta, and other senior officials during his stay.
