The Pacific Civil Society Forum will host a Pacific People’s Forum alongside the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga from 26 – 30 August, with its theme “Pikipiki Hama Kae Vaevae Manava.” This theme aligns with the broader Pacific Islands Forum’s focus on “Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now,” emphasizing solidarity and shared responsibility in overcoming challenges.
The Pacific People’s CSO Village where the Pacific People’s Forum will be based, is organized by the Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT), and will be open to the public at the Maamaloa Field in Nuku’alofa. Rooted in the tradition of Tongan voyagers, “Pikipiki Hama Kae Vaevae Manava” embodies the values of unity and cooperation, serving as a guiding principle for the Pacific People’s Forum.
This gathering aims to explore “transformative resilience” from a grassroots, people-centered perspective, offering civil society organizations (CSOs) a platform to exchange ideas and strategies for a more resilient Pacific region. “We formed this space for the public to join the dialogue because it’s not just the Government that can solve the pressing issues at hand,” said Siale Ilolahi from the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (PIANGO), which was formed in 1991 to amplify NGO voices in the Pacific.
“We only have about an hour during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to talk with the leaders of the Pacific and so the Pacific People’s Village will be the place to continue the dialogue especially for the public to be part of it,” Ilolahi said. A key event, the Debt Symposium on 22 August at the Moulton Hall, will bring together experts to discuss the impact of Tonga’s public debt on the economy, environment, and future generations.
With representatives from 24 Pacific countries, the Forum provides a crucial space for CSOs to engage in dialogue on pressing issues such as Tonga’s debt sustainability, deep-sea mining, youth, and ocean conservation. The Forum will also feature discussions on public finance management and its application to resilience-building in Tonga.
The arrival of the Uto ni Yalo, a traditional Fijian voyaging canoe, highlights the ocean’s significance to Pacific peoples and their cultural heritage. As the Pacific Civil Society Forum unfolds, it promises to be a powerful catalyst for collective action, aligning with the region’s 2050 strategy and fostering sustainable development across the Pacific Islands.
In conclusion, the Pacific People’s Forum in Tonga is set to be a significant event that brings together civil society organizations, experts, and the public to discuss and address pressing issues facing the Pacific region. With a focus on transformative resilience and unity, the Forum aims to create a platform for dialogue and collaboration towards a more resilient and sustainable Pacific.