PGA was pleased and privileged to receive the Hon. Prime Minister of Tonga and PGA Defender of Democracy Awardee (DDA) 2013, H.E. Mr. Samiuela 'Akilisi Pohiva together with a High Level Delegation from Tonga comprising also of Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr Palenitina Langa'oi and the Secretary General of the prominent NGO, Public Service Association - Ms. Mele Amanakiat, at its Headquarter Offices in New York on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015.
The Hon. Prime Minister recalled with appreciation his past engagement with PGA and his acceptance of the PGA Defender of Democracy Award (DDA) in Bogota, Colombia in December 2013. and proceeded to share with PGA Secretary General Dr. David Donat Cattin and Director of PGA's Peace & Democracy Program, Mr. Peter Barcroft an update on his activities during the course of his participation in this year's (70th) High Level segment of the UN General Assembly, highlighting in particular his concern regarding the inadequate regulation of arms and its negative impact on the people of West Papua, a matter which he also raised in his official presentation at the United Nations earlier in the week.
The Hon. Prime Minister also outlined to PGA current priorities of the Government of Tonga domestically, including seeking implementation of measures to better enhance good governance practices and separation of powers vis-a-vis the relevant institutions, noting that it was essential to make progress in these areas first in order to lay the foundation for a more sustainable future.
Dr. David Donat Cattin and Mr. Peter Barcroft subsequently shared with the Hon. Prime Minister and Delegation from Tonga an extensive update on PGA's Peace & Democracy (specifically relating to the Arms Trade Treaty), International Law (specifically relating to the Rome Statute of the ICC) and Gender Equality and Population Program Campaigns, noting how these Campaigns complimenting shared concerns, including regarding West Papua, where PGA's Campaign for Universality and Implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty has a particular relevance, with respect to reported, alleged human rights abuses. Peter Barcroft highlighted the successful nature of the recent UNSCAR supported PGA Regional Pacific Islands Parliamentary Workshop to Promote Ratification and Implementation of the ATT, held in Tonga in April, 2015 and expressed appreciation for all the support given by the host country and parliament in the organization of this Workshop.
Ms. Maureen Ahmed, Program Associate for the Gender Equality and Population Program of PGA also briefly discussed the work of the Gender Equality and Population Program and the Hon. Prime Minister of Tonga subsequently signed the PGA Global Parliamentary Declaration to End Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
The PGA Delegation also highlighted to the Delegation from Tonga certain pro-active steps it might consider taking to promote/achieve national priorities/goals, in particular in the context of reaching out to possible future new development partners in the European Union and elsewhere, offering to provide further information on this, if considered helpful.
Dr. David Donat Cattin also indicated that PGA had invited an official Delegation from the Legislative Assembly of Tonga to attend PGA's 37th Annual Forum in El Salvador at the end of November 2015 and indicated a sincere hope that a Delegation would be in a position to attend.
The Visit concluded with the Hon. Prime Minister noting his appreciation for the opportunity to meet with PGA once again and encouraging the organization to continue with the important work of its different Campaigns.
