18th July,2019 The Government of the Kingdom of Tonga was represented at the United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF) under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the High-Level Segment of the HLPF, its Ministerial week and the Voluntary National Review Reporting process at the United Nations Headquarters in NY from 9-18 July, 2019. The High-Level Political Forum 2019 is convened under the theme ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’. The delegation was led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure, Hon. Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika.
Tonga joined a record number of other Small Island Developing States from the Pacific region in also presenting their voluntary national reviews at the United Nations.
The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister delivered Tonga’s Voluntary National Review Report on 17th of July 2019. The Report covered progress on Tonga’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals on which Tonga reported are Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education; SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities; SDG 13 Climate Action; and SDG 16 on Peace and Justice, Strong Institutions and SDG 17 on Partnerships to achieve the Goals.
These Goals are embedded in and mainstreamed into the Tonga Strategic Development Framework II (2015-2025) and the relevant sector plans which guide the Government’s priorities to enhance the quality of the lives of our people. The opportunity to present our voluntary report was a stocktake of our progress to date and provided a snapshot of the remaining work that lies ahead.
Hon. Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika, delivered Tonga’s Voluntary National Review Report
Following the delivery of Tonga’s VNR, several questions were received from the Member States and Major Groups and other Stakeholders with respect to our Report. Questions were received from Belize as Chair of the Alliance of the Small Island States, the Kingdom of Netherlands, India, the Kingdom of Norway and from the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organisation (PIANGO). The questions ranged from the resourcing of access to justice initiatives, partnership with and engagement of civil societies and youth, education as a trade tool, potential ratification of human rights treaties and precautions with respect to seabed mining.
The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister also delivered a statement at the General Debate of the High- Level Segment of the High-Level Political Forum. In his statement, the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister reiterated our progress on the SDGs and further highlighted existing initiatives in Tonga geared towards translating our ambitions and plans to tangible results. The development of, inter alia, statistical systems, and genuine collaboration and partnerships were identified as avenues for mobilizing resources to strengthen Tonga’s means of implementing the Goals and its targets.
The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister expressed Tonga’s ongoing commitment to taking a whole-of government approach, through strengthened bilateral and multilateral partnerships to ensure the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. All of which is aimed at empowering our people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.
The Government delegation included officials from the Ministries of Education, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Health, Statistics Department and the Ministry of Justice. The delegation was also supported by the Permanent Representative of Tonga to the United Nations and the staff of the Mission.
ENDS