Tonga's Prime Minister Dr Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele called on Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on 1 May 2008.

They discussed developments in the Kingdom of Tonga, including the recent elections, proposed constitutional reform, and the coronation of the King of Tonga on 1 August.

The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister, who is currently Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, also discussed regional issues, including developments in the Fiji Islands, which is on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting in London on 12 May. Fiji Islands was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth in December 2006. The Secretary-General reaffirmed support for the Pacific Plan that was launched in 2005 and aimed at strengthening regional co-operation and integration through the promotion of good governance, security, economic growth and sustainable development. Mr Sharma confirmed that the new Commonwealth Pacific Governance Programme would commence this year in support of the Pacific Plan, and be based at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Fiji Islands.

The talks also focused on global concerns over food security, particularly the impact at the regional level in the Pacific islands of rises in prices of food as well as fertilisers and other inputs to agricultural production.

The Prime Minister and Secretary-General also discussed the need for reform of international institutions, including those dealing with global environmental governance. The talks also addressed the specific concerns of small states, especially micro-states with small populations, and the proposed establishment of a Commonwealth Small States Office in Geneva. Commonwealth Secretariat, 01/05/08