A seminar to enhance the work of parliamentary committees in the parliaments of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Fiji is being held in Suva, Fiji to explore common challenges that parliamentary committees face.

The seminar was opened by Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni, the Speaker of the Fijian Parliament.

The UN Resident Coordinator and the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Ornat Lubrani spoke at the opening of the seminar.

During the seminar Members of Parliament will be able to interact with their counterparts from other Pacific countries and examine what is working well and what can be improved and developed in their parliaments.

The Tongan delegation includes Tongan MP Mrs ‘Akosita Lavulavu, and three staff of the House, Looupua Kulu, Silivia ‘Atiola and Seinimili Fonua.

Tonga's Parliament has nine Standing Committees and one Select Committee.

The Pacific Parliamentary Seminar is organised under the auspices of the UNDP Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative, the Fiji Parliament Support Project and the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji's regional programme, with the support of the governments of Australia and New Zealand.