Tonga, for the first time, celebrated the 70^th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) and the 16^th anniversary for Tonga’s membership of the United Nations since 1999 at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre today. Officially, UN day is 24 October.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. October 24 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.

UN Resident Coordinator in Fiji, Osnat Lubrani, stated that UN day is an opportunity to reflect on the development gains made in the Pacific over the years.

“Countries across the Pacific region have witnessed huge progress for their people thanks, in large part, to the collective efforts of UN agencies and the communities, governments, relief and development organisations they work with.”

Tonga has a strong UN presence including the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UNWomen, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Children’s Rights and Emergency Relief Organisation (UNICEF), and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD). A series of evetns to celebrate the 70th anniversary had a national theme of "Ke tu'uloa 'a e fakalakalaka, Ke kei Tonga aipe 'a Tonga"

Hon. 'Aisake Eke was to deliver the keynote address o behalf of the Tonga Government at the event, to which various Primary and Tertiary Schools students were invited.