“Talatalanoa Validation Process Successfully Concluded”
GOVERNMENT OF TONGA
MEDIA RELEASE
(18th September, 2025)
The Prime Minister’s Office successfully completed the in-person Talatalanoa Validation with stakeholders over the past two weeks, from September 1 -12, 2025.
These sessions primarily served to review and validate the draft Tonga Strategic Development Framework III (TSDFIII) 2025 – 2035.
Sessions included members of Parliament, representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, academics, faith-based organisations, and development partners. To ensure broad participation, especially from outer islands and remote areas, a radio briefing program complemented the in-person sessions.
The validation process confirmed that our national motto, “God and Tonga are my inheritance”, and our golden values are crucial guiding principles for Tonga’s visionary and developmental focus over the next decade. Stakeholders also expressed enthusiasm for including “Tonga’s Culture and Heritage” as a new National Outcome, underscoring the important value of culture in shaping development.
The following statement from the Talatalanoa concept note was highlighted during the validation process as key to Tonga’s long-term vision for resilience:
“In the Tongan context, resilience is found in loto tō (spirituality or a humble heart), feveitokai‘aki (reciprocity or a sharing heart), faka‘apa‘apa (sacred wisdom or a respectful heart), and tauhi vā (relationality or a caring heart). These qualities are the driving force behind transformative action for the Tongan people. When these aspects of the loto, the heart of a Tongan person, are in place, people are striving willingly towards achievement. This ultimately drives resilient development for Tonga, creating pathways towards sustainable viability and enabling the nation to fully leverage the God-given potential of its people”.
Our gratitude to the people of Tonga, especially those who took the time to attend and share their valuable insights.
-ENDS-
