In two important engagements in Rome, Tonga's King Tupou VI addressed delegates at the opening of the 38th Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on Monday February 16, and later in the day had an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

The Pope received King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

The king expressed his satisfaction at the election of the Cardinal from Tonga, Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi.

The Vatican website reported that dicussions were made on the recent political developments in Tonga and on a number of aspects of social and economic life, and the positive contribution of the Catholic Church in various areas of society. Opinions were also exchanged on the international situation, with particular reference to the insular states of the Pacific and environmental problems that some of them are compelled to face. The King and Queen also met the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

The King and Queen arrived in Rome on 13 February for a four day visit.

Queen Nanasipau’u attended the Public Consistory by the Pope at the Vatican Basilica, for the creation of the 20 new cardinals, including Bishop Soane Patita Paini Mafi on Saturday 14 February 2015.

The King and Queen also attended the Solemn Ceremony of Mass for the new cardinals on Sunday 15 February. Both events were attended by family members, relatives, friends and catholic supporters of Cardinal Mafi.

Rural transformation

King Tupou VI, who went to Rome at the invitation of the IFAD President Dr Kanayo Nwanze, delivered his inaugural keynote address at the opening and extended his support to the theme ‘Rural Transformation: Key to sustainable development.’

He said that to make this transformation a reality there needs to be an increased focus on building the risk management and resilience capacity of rural people to manage a changing environment, specifically calling for increased access by rural communities to climate finance.

Other keynote speakers included John Dramani Mahama the President of the Republic of Ghana, IFAD President and Pier Carlo Padoan the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Italian Republic.

IFAD funds some of the programs delivered in Tonga by the Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation, MORDI Tonga Trust.

Tongan delegates at the meeting included the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Forests and Fisheries Hon Semisi Fakahau, and Mordi Tonga Board members Lady ‘Ainise Sevele and Minoru Nishi Jr.

The King and Queen will leave for London at the end of the visit to IFAD.