Motorcade drills had been conducted in Nuku’alofa this morning in preparation for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
The Hu’akavameiliku government will host the 53rd PIF after next week from August 26 – 30.
Photos and videos uploaded and shared on Facebook this morning showed a motorcade convoy, including police motorcycles and luxury government vehicles with ministerial registration plate numbers, travelling in Nuku’alofa.
One caption said “longolongo kātoanga” meaning, feeling that a big event is about to happen.
About 1000 guests are expected to attend.
A security buffer is expected to be established in Nuku’alofa around areas like the newly constructed prefabricated container housing spots, hotels where delegates will stay and Tonga High School auditorium, where most of the summit events will be held.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku announced that the Australian government has donated 25 double-cab police vehicles to be used during the meeting. It is understood two minibuses were also donated, bringing the total value of the donation to TOP$3.6 million.
He previously posted photos of refab houses at Pātangata where some of the guests will stay saying they would be completed before the meeting.
Commissioner of Police Shane Mclennan previously said a delegation of six officers arrived in the kingdom from China’s Shandong Province to see what assistance they could provide to help Tonga police deliver the PIF leaders’ meeting.
At the time, it was confirmed that China was willing to donate police vehicles and motorbikes to Tonga—much like it has in the Solomon Islands—to help ensure the event ran smoothly.
Australian authorities had criticised China’s offer at the time saying it was part of its policing push into the Pacific.
At this stage, it is unclear what assistance China has offered Tonga for the meeting.
Earlier this week, a meeting to discuss arrangements for the PIF, including organising liaison officers and drivers to assist the leaders, was held at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel.
A panel and discussion were hosted by the Australian High Commission office during that meeting.
Unrest in New Caledonia, membership applications by US territories, dwindling banking services, and a homegrown climate finance fund were among the topics dominating ministers’ meetings with senior policymakers from the region, according to a report by RNZ.
Founded in 1971, the Pacific Islands Forum includes Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia Tahiti, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Sāmoa, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The 53rd Forum’s theme is Transformative, Resilient, Pasifiki: Build Better Now.
