Tuvalu will host 50th Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting

Tuvalu will be hosting the 50^th Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting which is scheduled to be held in mid-August. The meeting has been brought forward from September due to competing for national events - the dissolution of Parliament and national elections to be held in September.

An official statement said the proposed dates, 12 - 16 August, take into account important considerations namely, that Tuvalu is to dissolve its Parliament in June 2019 and to hold its general elections in early September. Thus, the general practice of holding the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the first week of September is unfeasible for Tuvalu as incoming Forum Host. Leaders had agreed that except for exceptional circumstances that the Forum can be held in August.