REMARKS: Outgoing PIF Chair, Hon. Dr. Aisake Eke, at PIFLM54 Opening Ceremony

•    Hon Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and Incoming
•    Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum -

•    Your Excellencies, Forum Leaders and Distinguished Delegates Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum - Baron Waqa Honourable Speaker and Members of Parliament
•    Members of the Solomon Islands Government

•    Representatives of Regional Organisations and Societies

To our communities, our youth and children present here and to all our people of the Blue Pacific

1.    Greetings and Malo e lelei from the Kingdom of Tonga

2.         ‘Oku tuku ha Fakafeta’i ki he Tolu Taha’i ‘Otua mo ‘Ene Pule Aoniu
Ma’oni’oni

3.    Kei Lakoefie Lelei ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio Kingi Tupou VI - Hau ‘o e ‘Otu Tonga - ko e Siueli ‘o e Pasifiki moe Langi mama’o mei taumu’a 

4.    Fakafeta’i  -     kuo  tau  lavemonu  ‘i  he  ‘aho  faka-koloa  ni  -  hono
nimangofulu ma faa ta’u ‘o e kuonga ‘o e Fakataha Folomu ni

5.     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

6.        The cultural performance that began this morning’s opening ceremony is not only a celebration of our diversity but a reminder of just how special this moment is for any nation

7.        As our people gather in the presence of the Leaders of the Forum  - we as Leaders are humbled to for the trust bestowed upon us - that this is why our Pacific Family meets -is work together for the prosperity and security of our Pacific people

8.        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

9.            Not long ago, on a day like this, Tonga had the privilege to host Forum
Members and delegates in Nuku’alofa.

10.        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

11.        That experience did not define us as vulnerable but as people of great resilience and people of unity pressing through with perseverance and determination

12.        And  for  Tonga  we  were  blessed  to  have  everyone  who’s  anyone experience what we went through that day!

13.        It was high-time for building a Better Now for ‘Transformative Resilient
Pasifiki

14.        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

15.     As Pacific people are custodians of our ocean, guardians of our island and champions of sustainability for generations to come

16.      We all belong to one Pacific Household as we have affirmed yesterday at
the St Barnabas Church

17.        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