“UN World Food Programme Country Director pays courtesy call on Prime Minister”

22 March 2024

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, was paid a courtesy call by the Representative and Country Director the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Mr. Alpha Bah on 22 March, 2024.

As Head of the WFP Pacific Multi-Country Office based in Fiji, Mr. Bah has overall responsibilities for the World Food Programme’s activities in the Kingdom of Tonga. This includes conducting regular visits to Tonga to fulfil these functions in close cooperation with competent national authorities and thereby contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Essentially, the recently approved Pacific multi-country strategic plan (2023 – 2027) supports Pacific Island countries and territories to attain food security and improved nutrition by 2030, in line with SDG 2 and the 20509 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

The Hon. Prime Minister and the WFP Representative held fruitful discussions on a number of important issues to strengthen partnerships between Small Island States and United Nations Agencies. With limited resources available, also requires identifying a clear pre-disaster system with cost-effective solutions.

There was a recommendation for UN Agencies in the Pacific to jointly participate at the 53rd Pacific Island Leaders’ Meeting that Tonga will host in August, 2024.