Tonga acknowledged the economic impacts of the Middle East crisis on its economy during a series of high level meetings this week in New York, USA.

The Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, presented Tonga's Second Voluntary National Review at the 2026 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, yesterday 15 July 2026.

"He highlighted significant progress in clean water, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, sustainable communities and partnerships, while noting that behind every statistic are families, communities and lives transformed. The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming Tonga's commitment to building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for all," the Prime Minister's Office in Nuku'alofa stated.

While acknowledging Tonga's ongoing challenges as a Small Island Developing State, including climate change and external shocks, the PM reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to the Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2035 to "strengthening resilience, accelerating the renewable energy transition, and ensuring that no one is left behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals."

Beyond presenting Tonga's Second Voluntary National Review, Lord Fakafanua participated in a series of high-level engagements at the opening of the High-Level Political Forum.

Middle East crisis: far-reaching impacts

At the invitation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Lof Fakafanua participated in the High-Level Roundtable on the socio-economic impacts of the Middle East crisis, convened by the Deputy Secretary-General and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The discussion focused on translating global analysis into practical, country-led action to address the widening socio-economic impacts of the crisis, particularly for vulnerable developing countries.

He highlighted the far-reaching impacts of the crisis on Tonga, despite its geographical distance, citing rising costs and constrained fiscal space.

He called for "faster, more flexible and better-coordinated international support, emphasising the need to restore fiscal space, recognise multidimensional vulnerability and translate global analysis into timely, country-led action."

Tonga co-hosted events

Australia and Tonga co-hosted a side event on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) where the PM called for the international community to move "from measuring vulnerability to financing resilience," urging the full implementation of the MVI to better inform policy, financing and development partnerships.

Another side event co-hosted by Tonga with Italy and the European Youth Forum, he reaffirmed that investing in young people is a national imperative, calling for youth to be trusted and empowered as partners in national development.

The PM attended a bilateral meeting with Vice Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland, HE Mr. Mika Nykänen, reaffirming shared commitment to climate action, renewable energy, resilience and strengthened multilateral cooperation.