Tonga's parliamentary Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, was elected to the board of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians, while attending an assembly of parliamentarians in Bahrain this week. He represents the Asia Pacific Geopolitical Group of young Parliamentarians.

He is the first Pacific Islands' parliamentarian to be elected to the board, that aims to ensure there is a youth perspective in the work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The Forum of Young Parliamentarians is steered by a board of 12 people, one man and one woman from each of the IPU’s six geopolitical groups (African Group, Arab Group, Eurasia Group, Group of Latin America and the Caribbean, Twelve Plus Group and the Asian Pacific Group), who in turn elect a president. Both the board and the President of the Forum are re-elected every two-years.

Lord Fakafanua was nominated by the Asia Pacific Group of Parliamentarians Meeting at the 146^th Assembly of the IPU, being held in Manama, Bahrain from 11-15 March.

As the youngest Speaker of a National Parliament, Lord Fakafanua won 10 votes from member states against 6 and 2 for Iran and Nepal respectively.

Lord Fakafanua told the Asia Pacific Group’s meeting that his election to the Board guarantees that pressing issues such as climate change, a priority for young parliamentarians from Asia and the South Pacific, can be heard at the international parliamentary fora. 

Assembly

Over 140 country delegations and about 40 Speakers of Parliament are attending the 146^th IPU Assembly, which is hosted by the Parliament of Bahrain.

Held on a theme of Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: fighting intolerance, the Assembly is expected to adopt resolutions on cyberattacks and cybercrimes, among others. 

He is accompanied by the Tongatapu no. 1 People’s Representative, Tevita Puloka, Chair of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Services, and Silivia ‘Atiola, a legislative counsel.