Tonga PM calls for Pacific economic action and resource access

Tonga Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua has called for Pacific Island nations to convert economic ambitions into tangible action. Speaking ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, Fakafanua emphasized that while the region possesses the ambition to build resilient and sustainable economies, there is a critical need for increased access to capital, expertise, and technology.

Fakafanua suggested that Pacific countries should focus on developing circular and sustainable economies, leveraging niche export markets, and utilizing frontier technologies to overcome geographic constraints. These efforts align with the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development (PRED), a regional framework designed to advance economic integration and resilience across the Blue Pacific.