Chiefs from Torba and the Papua New Guinea community in Port Vila have come together for the first time at the Chiefs Nakamal to strengthen unity and reconciliation ahead of the upcoming Torba/PNG Day celebrations.

The gathering brought together community leaders to discuss the upcoming event and explore ways of strengthening cooperation and solidarity between the Torba and PNG communities.

Chairman of the Torba/PNG Day Committee, Judah Welin, said the main purpose of the gathering was to bring together community leaders from the different islands of Torba who are living in Port Vila.

“The main purpose of this ceremony is to bring all the community leaders from the different islands of Torba who are living in Vila together, to build solidarity and unite so we can work towards Torba Day, which is coming up in two months’ time.”

Mr Welin said it was the first time such a gathering had been held at the Chiefs Nakamal, describing it as an important step towards strengthening unity within the Torba community.

He said unity would also be important as the committee prepares a number of activities leading up to the main celebration.

The theme for this year’s Torba/PNG Day is “Enhancing the Torba Blue and Green Economy.”

Activities planned before the main event include sports and forums aimed at bringing the communities together.

Mr Welin said the committee had decided to move the celebration from Friday, October 2, to the following day, Saturday, to allow more people to take part.

The reconciliation and unity gathering is also expected to pave the way for more regular dialogue, cultural exchanges and collaborative initiatives between traditional leaders and the Torba and Papua New Guinea communities in the years ahead.