HRH Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku'aho has been appointed as the first ever Patron of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the Pacific.

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.

The princess’ appointment comes after UNFPA Under-Secretary General and Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem visited Tongatapu and Vava’u in February earlier this year, seeking the approval of the Royal Family and government for her appointment.

As Patron, Princess Angelika led a Tongan delegation and Pacific participation to the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) in Kenya on 12-14 November.

The ICPD25 calls for action to end maternal deaths, stop gender-based violence and harmful practices, and meet family planning demand over the next decade.

The princess will urgently advocate for universal sexual and reproductive health and rights in addition to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which includes ending poverty, ensuring good health and well-being for all, realizing gender equality and achieving sustainable communities among others by 2030.

She aims to engage and champion the work of UNFPA in Tonga and the Pacific through genuine and durable partnerships.

Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka is Tonga’s High Commissioner in Canberra, Australia, a post she has held since 2012, and has advocated for good health and education, youth empowerment and development, as well as humanitarian assistance.