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Tonga’s PM calls on Secretary-General

1 May 2008

Tonga Prime Minister Dr Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele holds talks at Marlborough House

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 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 currently chairs the Pacific Islands Forum, also discussed regional issues, including developments in Fiji Islands, which is on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting in London on 12 May. Fiji was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth in December 2006.

Mr Sharma 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. The Secretary-General 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.

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.

Dr Sevele and Mr Sharma 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.