Tonga is hosting the first Pacific Laboratory Week Workshop in Nuku’alofa, from the 18th to the 22nd March 2024. The week’s events are organized by the Pacific Quality Infrastructure (PQI) Initiative, Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forest- Tonga, Ministry of Trade & Economic Development, and the UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

The Pacific Islands Laboratory Week Workshop represents an important milestone for the regional PQI Initiative to continue strengthening cooperation and coordination among Pacific Island Countries on Quality Infrastructure (QI), with the aim of improving access to reliable laboratory testing services across the region.

Tonga’s Minister for Health, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola officially opened the Pacific Laboratory Week Workshop. The agenda for the week includes:

• the first face-to-face meeting of the Pacific Islands Testing Committee (PITC), to discuss the recommendations from the PQI laboratory survey, the Committee’s governance structure including its Terms of Reference, and to plan upcoming activities;

• classroom and hands-on laboratory training sessions for laboratory personnel and the national Testing Focal Points;

• site visits to laboratories in Tonga; and

• raising public awareness on the importance of laboratory testing for trade and the wellbeing of the

people of the Pacific.

The week’s events are jointly funded by the PQI Initiative, through the European Union through @Pacific Inslands Forum Secretariat ‘s Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT) Project, and the UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s ACP QI Project, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and the PACER Plus.

Funding supported the in-person attendance of participants from developing Forum Island Countries, with participants from other Forum Members welcome at their own cost. Online options for the PITC Meeting and most training sessions will be made available to participants unable to travel.

This is a very important event for Tonga. Prior to the Pacific Islands Laboratory Week, a National Laboratory Committee was established to progress necessary preparations, and to continue working together in the development of standards of Laboratories for Tonga.

For any further enquiries please contact

– Siutoni Tupou: MAFF Quarantine (siutonit@gmail.com)

– Lorraine Kauhenga: MTED (lorrainek@mted.gov.to)

– Dr. Ulrich Diekmann: PQI, (ulrichd@forumsec.org)