Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today paid a courtesy visit to Tongan Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Ofakivaha Sovaleni during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting, currently being held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Prime Minister Marape expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sovaleni for taking the time from his busy schedule as the host of the 53rd PIF Leaders Meeting to meet and hold discussions with him and his PNG delegation.

During the courtesy visit, Prime Minister Marape highlighted the enduring people-to-people relations between Papua New Guinea and Tonga, which began with the spreading of the Word of God by Tongan missionaries in PNG. A notable example is the late Reverend Sione Kami, who served in the Highlands region of PNG before establishing what is now the Reverend Sione Kami Memorial Church in Port Moresby. The late Reverend Kami and his wife are both buried next to the church, symbolising the deep ties between the two nations. Additionally, relationships through marriage, such as the union of PNG’s Governor-General H.E Sir Bob Dadae and Lady Emeline Dadae from Tonga, further strengthen these bonds.

In terms of bilateral relations, Prime Minister Marape assured Prime Minister Sovaleni of the PNG Government’s commitment of K10 million to assist in Tonga’s rehabilitation efforts following the devastating undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami in early 2022.

Prime Minister Marape also discussed key initiatives, including the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone Project, which focuses on the industrial development of offshore fisheries, and the East New Britain Initiative, a regional concept established during the recent Forum Fisheries Meeting in September 2023 held in Kokopo, PNG.

“The East New Britain Initiative will involve the broader Forum Membership when successfully implemented as envisioned in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. PNG welcomes Tonga and all PIF members to partner with us in this Regional Initiative,” stated Prime Minister Marape during the visit.

Tonga’s Prime Minister Sovaleni warmly welcomed Prime Minister Marape and the PNG delegation, expressing his appreciation for their visit to Tonga during the PIF meeting.