A Tongan delegation is led by the Prime Minster, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke, to the Eightieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) held this week in New York, where he will deliver Tonga's country statement on Friday, 26 September.
The United Nations General Assembly is the annual gathering of all 193 Member States of the United Nations, where world leaders convene at the UN Headquarters to debate, negotiate, and shape collective responses to global challenges.
This year's meeting is significant as it celebrates the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and reflects on the achievements of the past eight decades and the path ahead for a more inclusive and responsible multilateral system.
In 1999, Tonga was first admitted as a member of the United Nations, attending its 54th Session of the UN General Assembly Meetings, and has done so for the past 26 years, playing an important role in the international agenda and amplifying the voices of small island states in the global arena, the Prime Minister's Office stated.
Tonga's delegation comprises of the Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua, Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. Sinaitakala Tu'itahi, Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata, Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Mr. Paula Ma'u, Tonga's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and concurrent Ambassador to the United States, HE Mr. Viliami Va‘inga Tōnē, Deputy Secretary Ms. ‘Olita Tupou, Prime Minister's Office and staff of the Permanent Mission of Tonga to the United Nations.
The annual UN assembly convenes at the United Nations headquarters in New York, from 21-27 September.
Commonwealth Foreign Ministers meeting
Tonga participated in a Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting (CFAMM), held yesterday 22 September, on the margins of the 80th session of the UNGA80.
Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata and HE Viliami Va’inga Tone represented Tonga to the meeting.
It was an opportunity for members to be briefed by the newly appointed Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, on the key reforms of the Secretariat to deliver on the outcome of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in Samoa, in alignment with the cross-cutting and strategic priorities of the members.
Members, especially small island developing states, raised the importance to host a Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting as a standalone meeting, rather than a side meeting of the UN General Assembly, promoting the visibility of the Commonwealth agenda before they are elevated to Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meetings, as in the Pacific, particularly, intra-regional trade, empowering youth and people-centered development, climate resilience and support to public sector and democratic institutions.
"Tonga continues to commit to the Commonwealth as a forum for consensus-building, constructive dialogue, and collective action in addressing shared global challenges," PMO stated.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda will host the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meetings in the Caribbean next year.
