“Hon Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary General prior to opening of the 78th UNGA meeting”

19 September 2023

Prior to the opening of the General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General at the United Nations Headquarters on 17th September 2023.

The main points of discussions included Climate Change and Oceans, the upcoming COP28, the Fourth SIDS Conference to be convened in Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024, the Multi-dimensional vulnerability index, the SDG Summit and Financing for Development.

The Hon. Prime Minister extended an invitation to the UN Secretary General to attend the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Meeting next year, when he will be Chair and Tonga will host accordingly.

The Hon. Prime Minister expressed his full support to the UN Secretary General and his work during the certainly challenging years remaining of his tenure in office. He reiterated his wish to continue working closely with the UN Secretary General to advance the priorities and the future of the peoples of the Small Island Developing States, including Tonga.

The Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga, was accompanied by the Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Members of Parliament Lord Tu’ilakepa and Mr. Johnny Taione, and H.E. Mr. Va’inga Tone, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations.