Permanent Mission of Tonga to the United Nations

Media Release: Forum Foreign Ministers United on Regional Priorities 19 August 2025 Suva, Fiji – Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers met in Suva last week for the 2025 Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting (FFMM). Chaired by HRH Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga, the one-day meeting brought together Forum Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials of the 18 Forum member countries to consider key regional priorities, and emerging issues and challenges. Ministers held robust exchanges on the political developments in the region, including ongoing developments in New Caledonia and West Papua (Papua). Ministers also discussed the ongoing reforms under the Review of the Regional Architecture, including the Partnership and Engagement Mechanism, and heard a presentation on the High-Level Political Talanoa Report developed by the High-Level Political Group. Recognising the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Rarotonga Treaty, Ministers welcomed the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a new signatory to the Treaty and encouraged ratification by all Forum Members. Read full release here: bit.ly/474H9x6 #Regionalism #OneBluePacific #54PIFLM

🐟 The United States is releasing US$60 million to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency as part of a 10-year Economic Assistance Agreement associated with the South Pacific Tuna Treaty. This allows U.S.-flagged vessels to fish in the exclusive economic zones of 16 Pacific Island countries, generating hundreds of millions per year in gross revenue for the U.S. economy. @DeputySecState Christopher Landau announced this during a meeting with Pacific Islands Ambassadors and Representatives of Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Read more: ow.ly/2Xbr50WEjEG

Malo e lelei and Yadra Vinaka from Suva, Fiji! The Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting starts today at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and will be chaired by the Crown Prince of Tonga, HRH Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala - Tonga’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. Stay tuned for updates! #OneBluePacific #Regionalism

The 2025 Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting is underway at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat today. The meeting is chaired by the Crown Prince of Tonga, HRH Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala - Tonga’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. “Our work is guided by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, our long-term blueprint for regional unity and prosperity. The success of this Strategy hinges on enhanced cooperation, strong leadership, and inclusive participation. In that spirit, the Forum’s High-Level Political Talanoa process is examining how to realign our regional institutions to meet the 2050 vision, and its outcomes will inform recommendations to our Leaders in Solomon Islands,” PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa at the opening session. Read more: forumsec.org/publications/r…

📢In a key milestone for the Descent Communities, particularly #CDWD Youth, H.E. Viliami Va’inga Tōnē Permanent Representative @TongaMissionUN publicly recognises and extends solidarity to Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent #CDWD. #HLPF2025 #HLPF

@MineBanTreaty @minefreeworld @MarnieLloydd @marywareham @UN_Disarmament @NPAdisarm @MineMonitor @theGICHD @AOAV @legaciesofwar @noclusterbombs @RGDudley But good #Pacific news: 🇹🇴 joined @MineBanTreaty & 🇲🇭@RMIGeneva featured in a recent #MineBan post, twitter.com/MineBanTreaty/… #ProtectMineBan @TongaMissionUN @TongaRedCross @Jabkanira @EpeliVl @KaiSawaieke @pangmedia @lotupasifika @diva4equality @CaritasNZ @uriohau @dasafo123 🧵/

Media Release: Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Secretary General Meet UN Secretary-General (New York, United States of America) — The Prime Minister of Tonga and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Eke, together with the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Baron Waqa, today met with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres to reaffirm the Pacific Islands Forum’s collective priorities and ambitions on critical global issues, including climate action, sustainable development, and economic development. Read full release here: forumsec.org/publications/r…

The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Eke, together with the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Baron Waqa, meeting with United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres today at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.

The Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Eke, supported by Secretary General Baron Waqa, is in New York this week following high-level meetings in Washington. While in New York, the Chair will engage with representatives of the United Nations and will convene a meeting with Forum Permanent Representatives to the UN.

Was delighted to welcome @TongaPm Eke and @forumsec SG Baron Waqa to @StateDept yesterday! It’s no surprise our conversation focused on how we can work together to ensure a secure, free and open, and PROSPEROUS Pacific region. We talked about long term economic growth and development that benefits both Americans and Pacific Islanders. I also said I hope to be able to visit these beautiful islands soon! state.gov/deputy-secreta…

🇹🇴 At the #ECOSOCYouth Forum 2025, Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of @TongaParliament extends support to the efforts of #CDWD Youth in bringing some of the most marginalized perspectives to the table. #HearUsNow✊🏼 @TongaMissionUN @UNMGCY @Nav_lit1948

The Kingdom of Tonga as PIF Chair, conducted informal discussions along the margins of the BBNJ Prep Com Meeting with member states and @PacOceanComm

Great to reconnect with H.E. Viliami Va’inga Tōnē, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Tonga to the UN & current Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. I briefed him on #PactForTheFuture implementation. Looking forward to working with Tonga & the Pacific family.

Members of the Blue Pacific Continent met with Mr. Peter Marocco, the Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance, US State Department, to discuss key strategic areas of ongoing corporation and engagement.

Vibrant talanoa on "Making the Ocean of Peace a Reality" with PIF Missions present in New York together with Pacific delegations and CSO partners attending #CSW69

@SamoaUN @FijiMissionUN @NauruMissionUN @Tuvalu_UN @ForumSEC @FSMMission_UN

The Pacific Islands Forum membership met with the 79th President of the General Assembly, H.E Mr. Philemon Yang to discuss our Blue Pacific priorities. Key on the agenda was the lead up to UNOC3, FfD4, climate, peace, and security, and Pacific representation at the UN.

His Majesty King Tupou VI, upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, has appointed new Ministers of the Crown to serve in Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Eke, with effect from Tuesday, 28 January 2025.

Congratulations to HRH Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ‘Ulukalala on his appointment as 🇹🇴 Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces, along with all newly appointed cabinet members. I look forward to continued engagement for the benefit of the Kingdom.