NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga — The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' meeting kicked off Monday in Tonga, bringing together the leaders of the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the institution's dialogue partners for a week of meetings, including on climate responses. change and the Sino-US battle for influence over the strategic region.
Outgoing Cook Islands president and prime minister Mark Brown will hand over the reins to Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, who is struggling to get the capital Nuku'alofa ready for more than 1,000 expected attendees.