The 3rd PIPG Conference continued on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, in Nuku’alofa, focusing primarily on two key topics.

The first topic addressed the vulnerability factors affecting the Pacific region and possible actions to tackle these challenges. The Pacific is highly susceptible to climate change and natural disasters, making it one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. This session provided parliamentarians with insight into the various vulnerability factors specific to the region (infrastructure, emergency response, social protection and human rights, water and sanitation, etc.), helping them understand how parliamentary action in these areas can reduce these vulnerabilities, strengthen resilience, and ensure faster recovery efforts following natural disasters and extreme events.

The second thematic session centered on the role of parliaments, particularly in shaping public policies, promoting climate action, international engagement, and the need for regional and international collaboration. Practical recommendations were presented to help parliamentarians translate the commitments of the Taraho’i Declaration and the Tonga conference into action within their respective parliaments. During this session, Mr. GEROS emphasized the emerging role of Pacific parliaments in implementing a regional climate policy framework.

After presentations from regional and international experts and discussions on these topics, an open floor session allowed participants to raise various questions and discuss other issues of interest. Mr. Antony GEROS took this opportunity to provide an update on the decolonization process of French Polynesia initiated at the UN in 2013. Ms. Tepuaraurii TERIITAHI also spoke, highlighting the long-standing friendship between French Polynesia and Tonga, and reaffirming that French Polynesia is an autonomous country freely evolving within the French Republic.

At the end of the Conference, PIPG members unanimously adopted the FANGATAPU Declaration, which builds on the theme of the conference, discussions held during previous PIPG meetings, and deliberations from the four thematic sessions in Nuku’alofa. The Declaration commits each PIPG member parliament to implement 20 specific actions, tailored to their respective competencies, interests, and national contexts.

Finally, the PIPG confirmed that its next conference will be held in Palau in 2024.