Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TONGA
PRESS RELEASE

LORD FAKAFANUA JOINS OCEAN ELDERS.

Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, has been officially welcomed as a new member of Ocean Elders, a global alliance of influential leaders working to protect the ocean and marine life. His appointment reflects his long-standing commitment to ocean conservation and leadership across the Pacific region.

Ocean Elders is a group of global leaders who work to protect the ocean and marine life. It was started in 2010, inspired by Dr. Sylvia Earle’s TED Prize wish to raise awareness about the need to protect the ocean. Ocean Elders is guided by the “Seventh Generation Principle,” which means we must make choices today that help people and the planet far into the future.

Lord Fakafanua now joins a distinguished group that includes H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco; explorer and environmentalist Prince Hussain Aga Khan Wildlife Photographer, Writer & Conservationist Dr. Sylvia Earle; Sir Richard Branson; Jean Michel Cousteau; Victor Vescovo, venture capitalist, explorer, and former naval officer and pilot; Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of The Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace; along with other prominent champions of marine conservation.

Lord Fakafanua and Prince Hussain Aga Khaa in a recent United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France.

The group includes well-known scientists, cultural leaders, and public figures who use their influence to support projects like marine protected areas, the United Nations’ Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and a treaty to protect the high seas.

By joining Ocean Elders, Lord Fakafanua will help bring the voices and concerns of Pacific Island countries to the world stage. In Tonga, he has been a strong supporter of action on climate change, ocean health, and giving young people opportunities to succeed. These efforts fit well with the mission of Ocean Elders.

As a member, Lord Fakafanua will continue to push for strong ocean protection across the Pacific. His experience and leadership will help make sure Pacific communities are included in global decisions about the future of our oceans.

Lord Fakafanua has represented Tonga in many international forums, emphasizing the deep cultural, economic, and ecological connections Pacific Islanders share with the ocean. He has spoken at the United Nations, the Pacific Islands Forum, and Commonwealth settings, advocating for stronger protections for marine ecosystems and greater global action on climate change.