The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua led Tonga’s delegation to the 2023 United Nations Economic and Social Council Youth Forum held in New York on 25-27 April.

Held at the United Nations Headquarters, the forum addressed this year's theme, ‘Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels’.

The forum is a platform for young people around the world to engage in a productive dialogue with the view to accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Developing Goals, where Tonga falls behind.

During a Ministerial roundtable, Lord Fakafanua, said that the voices of young people ought to be heard in decision making places, bodies, and what better way to empower these voices but as Members of Parliament.

He is also a member of the Board of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The meetings featured plenary sessions and interactive thematic debates and discussions on young peoples’ needs, rights and priorities across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring appropriate investments are directed at youth development which is fundamental to achieving SDGs.

Delegation members included Tonga's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambssador Va'inga Tōnē.