Tonga's Minister of Finance, Hon. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu, told the 60th session of the UN General Assembly, New York, on September 16, that in line with the UN Millennium Declaration of 2000, for a more peaceful, prosperous and just world, in which all human beings can live better and safer lives, Tonga has made certain achievements.

He said that Tonga has achieved universal primary education and gender equality through the provision of free primary school education for children of ages 5 to 14 years as stipulated in our constitution.

The Minister said that considerable improvements had also been achieved in secondary enrolment rates, and that a majority of the population of Tonga now has access to safe water and sanitation facilities in both rural and urban areas.

The Minister told the Assembly that Tonga's performance on the Human Development Index and the Human Poverty Index reflects a high level of expenditure in health and education, stagnant population growth and sustained high levels of investment in the social sector. He pointed out that the UN Human Development Report 2005 ranked Tonga at 54 among 177 countries.

Women

He said that one area where Tonga needs to make more progress is in the participation of women in decision-making both at the local and national level.

On a matter closer to home the minister supported the accelerated efforts to research alternative sources of energy.

He also welcome the renewed commitment made by donor partners to meeting the target of 0.7% ODA of their Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015. He said that Tonga also welcomed the UN Declaration on Innovative Sources of Financing for Development, which provides mechanisms to increase and supplement traditional sources of finance. Tonga also recognized that Overseas Development Assistance while necessary will not be sufficient, and will have to be complemented by Foreign Direct investment, trade and development partnership.

Security Council

With regards to the reform of the Security Council, he said that Tonga supported a Security Council that is more broadly representative of the international community as a whole and the geopolitical realities of today, and to expand its membership to meet these goals. He said that Tonga maintains its support of Japan's proper and permanent place on any enhanced Council.