“We gather to celebrate more than just a plant; we celebrate our heritage, our unity, and our shared aspirations as Pacific people.” – HRH Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, at the official opening of the Inaugural Pacific Regional Kava Festival.

Tonga hosted the first-ever Pacific Regional Kava Festival yesterday, held as part of the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF), marking a major milestone for the region to elevate the kava industry as both a shared heritage and a driver of inclusive economic development.

The Festival brought together Pacific Island governments, farmers, exporters, regional institutions, and development partners to celebrate kava’s role in our identity and economy. Kava has long been central to Pacific customs, used in ceremonies, peacemaking, and communal gatherings, but now, it also represents an opportunity for trade, investment, and sustainable livelihoods.

This landmark event builds on the Regional Kava Development Strategy (RKDS) launched during the Pacific Island Leaders Forum Meeting (PILFM53) last year to protect the cultural integrity of kava while strengthening market access and quality standards. It also supports regional collaboration in areas such as geographic indications, food safety, and fair trade.

MTED Minister, Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata, emphasized, this festival is an opportunity to learn from one another: from Vanuatu’s use of geographic indications (GIs), to Fiji’s progress in logistics, and Tonga’s traceability reforms and called for the creation of a unified “Pacific Noble Kava” identity one that respects each country’s uniqueness while moving forward together. He also highlighted Tonga’s efforts to improve export quality and expand opportunities, doubling the number of licensed exporters since 2020.

Kava must benefit all young farmers returning home with dreams, women pursuing export opportunities, and persons with disabilities seeking meaningful roles in the value chain. With cultural respect at its core and economic opportunity as its path, the inaugural Festival sets the stage for a kava industry that is connected, empowered, and truly Pacific-led.