Tonga Prime Minister wants 'more action' as Pacific leaders' summit kicks off

Pouring rain and an earthquake were the backdrop to get the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit (PIFLM53) officially underway in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa.

There is heavy rain in the Kingdom but inside Tonga High School the warm and soothing sound of Tonga's famous brass band brought tears to the eyes of proud Tongan's and guests alike during the opening ceremony on Monday morning.

"We need a lot more action than just words," said Tonga's Prime Minister and the incoming Forum chair, Hu'akavameiliku, when asked about his vision for the region.

"We put on a show with the rain and bit of flooding, and also shake you guys up a little bit by by that earthquake, just to wake you up to the reality of what we have to face here in the Pacific, you know, natural disasters like that.

"I think we have suffered, and we need to actually build our resilience now," he told RNZ Pacific.

The political crisis in New Caledonia is already dominating the agenda.

Hu'akavameiliku said the Forum is very serious about finding a way help de-escalate what's happening in New Caledonia.

"We are hoping in the fringe of Forum we can have a dialogue with France, but also New Caledonia, especially before the [leaders] retreat."

Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa also told media a resolution is needed.

"Unfortunately, the arrangements with the French administration and the local New Caledonian they need to coordinate, I think a bit more, but we're very keen to see a good resolution for the Kanaks."

On Sunday, Kiribati's head of delegation education minister Alexander Teaboo made it clear both West Papua and New Caledonia are part of the Pacific.

Tuvalu's leader Feleti Teo, however, was more reserved on issue.

"It will be premature of me to cast any assessment, because I was part of the collective leaders' decision to send a team to Nouméa before the meeting here in Tonga".

The New Caledonia crisis has been ongoing for over three months now since violence broke out in May.

So far, there is no sign of a solution, as both the French government and the local New Caledonia government are at odds as to what is the correct path for the territory.

While France's election drags on and leaders' squabble, a Kanak youth told RNZ Pacific people on the ground are suffering.

"Every day are people suffering. They need an answer from all the politics and institutions. People here are looking for food, looking for what is my future because I lost my job.

"From every side; Kanak side or European side. It's the same. That's why we need to help people. We need to provide everything for the future of the people here."

He told RNZ Pacific people are losing hope.

Cook Islands Prime Minister and the outgoing Forum chair, who has been instrumental in initiating the Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Mission to New Caledonia, said while the high-level mission has not taken place, "it's progressing well".

"We're happy that there is dialogue that's taking place.

"Part of our mission was really to strongly advocate for the de-escalation of violence and look it away at bringing the various members to dialog around the table and then work on a pathway forward for New Caledonia.

He said New Caledonia government's President Louis Mapou will be arriving in Tonga today.

Climate 'leadership to the global stage'

Another big-ticket item at the meeting is the climate crisis, with the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres also in attendance.

"The world has much to learn from the Pacific, and you must also step up. The world must also step up to support your initiatives," he said.

The UN boss said the Pacific is a region "of fearless seafarers, expert fishers and deep ancestral knowledge of the ocean".

"But humanity is treating the sea like a sewer. Plastic pollution is choking sea life. Greenhouse gasses are causing ocean heating, acidification and a dramatic and accelerating rise in sea levels.

He said Pacific islands are showing the way to protect the climate, the planet and the ocean by declaring a climate emergency and pushing for action.

"And with your declaration on sea level rise and aspirations for a just transition to a fossil fuel free Pacific, the young people of the "Pacific have taken the climate crisis all the way to the International Court of Justice, and you have also rightly recognised that this is a security crisis and taken steps to manage those risks together."

Guterres said Pacific island nations ambition for a fossil fuel free Pacific is a blueprint for the G20 - the world's largest economies - and for the world.

However, he said the region urgently needs substantial finance capacities and technology to speed up the transition and to invest in adaptation and resilience.

"Pacific island states have a moral and practical imperative to take your leadership and your voice to the global stage," he said.