Photos by Linny Folau and Peter Poulsen

His Majesty King Tupou VI officially opened the Tonga Legislative Assembly this morning, 28 May.

He wished parliament all the best for this year’s session as it strives to address a pressing working agenda,  including the state of the Tongan economy.

He also reminded parliament that government has a working agenda, to implement good governance, eliminate poverty, and to address social issues such as healthy living and raising the standard of education, and technical innovation.

The King also stressed the importance for the country to be well aware of national disasters, climate change and to make a definitive move toward using renewable energy.

He said that there were other major national issues to be addressed such as improving the standard of our transportation and communication services, and for Tonga to be in readiness to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

He also reminded the Speaker of the importance for government to pay special attention to the economic sectors that are most relevant to the economic livelihood of the people such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism.

King Tupou VI expressed his gratitude to foreign donors that assist Tonga’s development, including the governments of Australia, New Zealand, the People’s Republic of China, and Japan, and international institutions such as the European Union and the World Bank.

Today, Nuku’alofa was overcast with a cooler temperatures at about 22 ^oC, but the town came alive this morning with the sound of brass bands and drums as secondary schools marched through the main street and onto the Royal Palace grounds to mark the opening of parliament.

Parliament will sit on Tuesday, to deliberate the 2015-16 National Budget.