Prime Minister's,Statement at the General Debate of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
24 Sept. 2011.
The Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano's Statement at the General Debate of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York City
"Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies and Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Like others who have spoken before me - allow me to add my warm congratulations upon your election as the President of the General Assembly for our current session.
My delegation and I assure you, as always, of our support and cooperation.
I
also wish to thank His Excellency Mr. Joseph Diess of Switzerland for a successful term as the past President of the Sixty Fifth Session. We also remember another former President of this Assembly His Excellency Mr. Harri Holkieri of Finland who passed away earlier this year but who left a lasting impact on the good work of General Assembly and the United Nations Organization.
As for the on-going leadership of the Organization, I wish to extend my congratulations to Secretary General Ban ki Moon for his election to a deserved second term. You and your Secretariat continue to show the firm resolve needed during these challenging times of global crisis. We pay tribute also to the memory of those members of the Secretariat who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of international duty.
Mr. President
A further example of the critical role played by the Secretary General during these difficult times is the convening earlier this week of the High Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases. The dangerous potential of NCDs unchecked in small States like mine threatens not just livelihoods and lifestyle but whatever gains that may have been achieved as they relate to MDG6 and the other MDGs.
At our annual meeting of Pacific Island Forum Leaders' in Auckland earlier this month, we adopted a ‘Statement on NCDs' where amongst other things we committed our Governments to implementing 5 key intervention areas known to reduce NCDs namely - tobacco control, better diets, increasing physical activity, reducing alcohol intake and improving access to essential drugs and technologies.
As such Tonga was pleased to join other Member States in adopting the Political Declaration of the High Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs. I sincerely believe that this week's Meeting has been a good step in the right direction for setting a healthier and enjoyable future for us all.
Mr. President
We were pleased that the Secretary General was able to visit a number of countries in our region on his way to an historic attendance at the Pacific Islands Forum. He was able to assess for himself the dominant impact of climate change for countries in the Pacific and validate the activities of Pacific SIDS like Tonga in international fora. We must use what positive foundations were laid down collectively in Copenhagen and Cancun to embrace the promise that might lie in Durban at ‘COP17' in December.
We are pleased that in July under the able Presidency of Germany, the Security Council took solid steps to seize the moral imperative by holding an open debate and producing a ‘Presidential Statement on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Impact of Climate Change'. The Council and its membership (now and in the future) must not turn from its vigilant duty to keep itself in a position of leadership over this issue and its implications on Member States like Tonga and others in the Pacific.
Mr. President
Whilst last year's High Level Meeting on MDGs offered Small Island Developing States (‘SIDS') like Tonga an opportunity to take stock of their progress towards achieving those Goals in 2015 - we consider that we have a similar chance to do so as we all prepare for Rio+20 next year. We stress the critical importance of the sustainable development, management and conservation of our ocean and marine resources (both living and non living) as a proper source of livelihoods and income for our communities and Governments. Ensuring that States like ours enjoy a greater share of the benefits derived from such resources is key. What we within the Pacific SIDS have come to refer to as the ‘Blue Economy' will be our challenge to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio to meet the expectations and development aspirations of our peoples.
As such, Tonga continues to observe its obligations under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea and notes the decision by consensus of the States Parties this year as it relates to the workload of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf whose work is much valued by Coastal States like mine. Tonga together with another sister State from the region again actively participated in the work of the International Seabed Authority (‘ISA') this year and noted the decision by the ISA to grant exploration licenses to entities sponsored by our respective Governments. This marks a creative way for States like mine, within the spirit of the Convention, for solid partnership and development. The ‘common heritage of mankind' if it is to have any true meaning ought to be common to all and not just to some or the few with the capacity to do so.
Mr. President
Tonga repeats its call for creating and defining a formal ‘SIDS' category within the UN system. We are in need of a definition that is not based upon a ‘one size fits all' approach. Like others, we must have a definition that separates and addresses the diversity of size, population, remoteness, isolation and different levels of socio-economic development. Such a definition would improve linkages not just within the UN system but also, we believe, set a good benchmark for the international community that is both coherent and practical. It will strengthen the position of the United Nations and the international system to address SIDS and their special and unique challenges they face.
Mr. President
Like others, we too, also welcome the Republic of South Sudan as our newest UN Member State. Tonga has long been supportive of the efforts to find a comprehensive, just and enduring peace in the Middle East. The shifting sands of change known as the ‘Arab Spring' throughout the surrounding region earlier this year has made such a peace and genuine security all the more challenging but not impossible. This is indeed a moment of truth for those with genuine hope - not just for a secure Israel and a viable Palestine - but for those who for so long have been responsible to bring such hope to an ambitious peace.
Mr. President
Tonga's interest in developing renewable energy sources, within the context of our Tonga Energy Road Map, continued to evolve with our election to the Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (‘IRENA') at the Agency's First General Assembly in April of this year. We will work in earnest to ensure that the voice of developing States like Tonga and others on the new Council is heard - given the key leading role it will play in the Agency's decision making and future direction. To take on such a role, IRENA must be prepared to be innovative. The Agency's work will take on greater significance in the coming International Year of Sustainable Energy for All and its related activities. I would also like to recognise the strong support of the Government of the United Arab Emirates as Host State for IRENA.
Mr. President
I am pleased to have addressed this august Assembly as the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Tonga - following elections held in November of last year. I took Office the next month in December following an evolving process of principal reforms that, within the context of our 1875 Constitution, included:
- the peaceful transfer of Executive power from His Majesty in Privy Council to the Government of the day,
- a Parliament where the majority of its members are elected by universal suffrage,
- a Prime Minister elected by a majority of the elected Members of Parliament,
- a Cabinet nominated by the Prime Minister and chosen largely from those elected Members of Parliament,
- a Constitutional Monarchy, and
- a strong and independent Judiciary free of political influence.
Despite this peaceable evolution, the fundamental freedoms and values guaranteed under the Constitution continues to afford legal protection and comforting reassurance to all Tongans.
Mr. President
To address the uncertain future of the current global economic and financial climate, my Government has approved the ‘Tonga Strategic Development Framework' which provides an overall framework to guide Government's activities for the next 4 years. It involves 9 priority areas from building strong inclusive communities to improving health and education standards for a safe, secure and stable Tongan society. Earlier in the month, my Government signed separate agreements with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank to improve ICT services for Tonga that are affordable and accessible. Improving such
services will enable Tonga to enhance its related education, health and Government services too. My Government sincerely believes this Framework will put Tonga on a firm path to improving its ability to meaningfully achieve the United Nation's MDGs by 2015.
As such, in closing my Government happily reaffirms its commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and we pledge to support the ongoing work and reform of our Organisation. I thank you for your attention."
ENDS
Issued by: Prime Minister's Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Telephone: (676) 24 644 Fax: (676) 23 888 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
