LORD FAKAFANUA ELECTED AS THE FIRST CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED PACIFIC INTERPARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

Today, history has been made with the formal establishment of a new regional interparliamentary institution, the PACIFIC INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY (PIPA).

Previously known as the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group (PIPG), the transformation to PIPA signifies strengthening regional commitment of legislatures to fostering dialogue, collaboration, and shared legislative priorities among Pacific parliaments.

During the inaugural proceedings, member parliaments officially appointed the first-ever PIPA Board, comprising representatives from Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, and Palau. In a unanimous decision, Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, was appointed as Chairman of the Board.

The new board members proceeded to signing the Statutes of PIPA, with Lord Fakafanua signing on behalf of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. PIPA Members also unanimously adopted the Natadola Declaration and confirmed Tahiti as the host and presidency of the first PIPA Conference to be held next year.