The Acting Governor of Vava'u Lord Sevele;
Rear Admiral Ray and officers of the United States Navy;
Captain Jesse A. Wilson mission commander of the Pacific Partnership 2011;
Officers of the New Zealand and Australian defence forces;
Captain Toni Fonokalafi and officers of the Tonga Defence Services;
Members of the clergy; the people of Vava'u; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen;
It is my pleasure on behalf of His Majesty's Government to welcome you all to the opening of the Pacific Partnership 2011. I also welcome you to the beautiful island of Vava'u, with a double welcome to those who are visiting for the first time.
Since the inception of Pacific Partnership, Tonga has been a fortunate recipient. Apart from concentrating on humanitarian assistance, I am pleased to note this year's inter-governmental approach where the impact and benefit has been widened by working closely and in tandem with the New Zealand and Australian governments. I am sure that this will form the foundations and perhaps a model for future humanitarian missions that draw together and unite different parties to achieve a set of clearly defined goals.
The decision to focus on Vava'u, and particularly Niuatoputapu, is most encouraging because it reaches out to rural and remote communities who need this kind of assistance the most, as well as fitting in with the origins of Pacific Partnership when it responded to the 2004 Asian Tsunami.
Each year Tonga, and indeed the region, braces itself for the hurricane season, notwithstanding the real threat from living on the Pacific's "Rim of Fire". Only three months ago the Ha'apai group of islands bore the brunt of tropical cyclone Wilma compelling government to react and assist those affected, as well as ongoing reconstruction programmes.
Without doubt Pacific Partnership 2011 compliments one of the pillars of this government's national visions which is to, "Create a society in which all Tongans enjoy higher living standards and a better quality of life." Specifically, the first outcome objective is to, "Facilitate community development by involving district and village communities in meeting their service needs" and "the maintenance and development of infrastructure to improve the everyday lives of the people." By upgrading schools and village facilities, providing medical and engineering services, Pacific Partnership 2011 perfectly matches His Majesty's Government's visions and objectives.
Let us not forget the humanitarian assistance carried out by the New Zealand government and navy in Niuatoputapu. You may all recall the devastation that that island faced after the tsunami in September 2009. His Majesty's government in conjunction with donor partners have undertaken reconstruction work on Niuatoputapu with the relocation and rebuilding of destroyed homes and reconstruction of roads. Again Pacific Partnership 2011 compliments this by assisting the education and health sector. It is fitting that the HMNZS Canterbury is back in Niuatoputapu as it was the first overseas navy ship to reach the island after the 2009 tsunami.
His Majesty's government is grateful for the kind assistance provided by the governments and people of the United States and New Zealand strengthening the bonds that bind us, regardless of distance.
I wish to acknowledge the coordination provided by the line Ministries of His Majesty's Government, as led by the Tonga Defence Services, in assisting and facilitating Pacific Partnership 2011 on the ground.
With those few remarks, I take this opportunity to declare the Pacific Partnership 2011-Open-and I extend my best wishes for great success.
Tu'a ‘Ofa Atu.
Issued by th Ministry of Information and Communications, 2011
