YouSaid · the spoken record

Sonatane Tu’a Taumoepeau-Tupou,

lines on the record: 30
first: 2004-09-24
most recent: 2007-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Let us face up to our responsibility, fulfil our promises so as to equate rhetoric with action, and show the people whose lives will be impacted by the decisions we make in this Hall that we can be trusted to deal effectively with global issues that require global solutions.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The report of the tripartite committee was recently tabled to the Legislative Assembly, where a timetable was approved for the full implementation of political reform by 2010. We seek the understanding and support of the international community as we continue with the healing of the wounds through the national reconciliation process, the rebuilding of the central business district, as well as the transition into a more democratic political system that is relevant to the economic, social and cultural architecture of the nation. It has been emphasized time and again that what is needed in the United Nations is to close the gap between rhetoric and actions. There has been much rhetoric and commitment, but the world will not judge us on rhetoric. The world will judge us on our outputs and on what we deliver.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“They responded promptly and appropriately with the deployment of military and police personnel. Within a period of two weeks, the role played by our friendly neighbours, as well as by the Tonga Defence Services and the Tonga Police Force, provided security and law and order for the country. A reconstruction committee under my chairmanship is coordinating the reconstruction of Nuku’alofa Township. Government, however, is fully committed to bringing all of the perpetrators of that horrendous event to full accountability for their actions, and the court cases are ongoing. At the same time, efforts are in progress on a process of national reconciliation. A tripartite select committee of the Legislative Assembly was also established to review the political reform agenda.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Regrettably, while the report of the National Committee on Political Reform was being deliberated by the Legislative Assembly, the supporters of one of the three models of reform rioted, burned and destroyed 80 per cent of the central business district, which resulted in the loss of eight lives. In a matter of a few hours, the tally of the damage incurred equated to a loss of 20 per cent of the gross domestic product. A state of emergency was subsequently declared by the Government, initially for a one-month period, but has by necessity and by demand been continuously extended to prevent any further civil disturbance. In our hour of need, Tonga sought the support of its neighbours New Zealand and Australia to assist local police in establishing order.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Earlier this year, the New Zealand Government instituted a seasonal labour programme for agricultural workers from five kick-start countries in the Pacific, including Tonga. We view this as an important and positive step towards wider acceptance of this type of model by developed countries as an option for resolving seasonal labour shortages. Our Legislative Assembly this year passed a law that allows dual citizenship. The new law gives due recognition to the large number of Tongans residing overseas, their significant contribution to the economy and their desire to still have links to their homeland. Last year at this rostrum, we provided a brief synopsis of the state of play in the process leading to the greater democratization of Tonga’s political system.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“It is, therefore, imperative that the Doha development Round negotiations be concluded expeditiously, with a meaningful development package, including the elimination of all export subsidies, improved market access and enhanced special and differentiated treatment. Last year, we urged the donor community to move forward with the delivery of “aid for trade” independent of the Doha Round. In this regard, we wish to commend our donor partners for the effort to improve the delivery of aid for trade in Asia and the Pacific to ensure that countries take full advantage of the open global market in the lead-up to the WTO global aid for trade review that will be held later this year. Tonga continues to advocate for labour mobility as a vehicle for achieving its pro-poor strategies.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The Pacific Plan is currently in its second year of implementation; it focuses on four overlapping pillars, including economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security. In this regard, Tonga commends the Secretary-General for attaching importance to strengthening United Nations cooperation with our regional organizations. Tonga continues to support the process of regional cooperation and looks forward to hosting the thirty- eighth annual Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in Nuku’alofa later this month. After 10 years of negotiations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) welcomed Tonga on 27 July 2007 as the 151st member of the organization. As a small island developing nation, there are many challenges and obstacles to gaining full benefit from the global trading system, including productive capacity and infrastructure.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Tonga looks forward to the forthcoming intergovernmental negotiations and anticipates that the process will provide the necessary impetus for decisive action to bring closure to the issue. On the question of Taiwan, Tonga is of the view that maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and non-interference in the internal affairs of Member States are among the cardinal principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Thus, Tonga continues to adhere to the one-China policy, recognizing Taiwan as an integral part of China. Regional integration and cooperation are vital for small island developing countries of the Pacific in view of their remoteness, small size and narrow economic base.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Tonga remains committed to supporting international peacekeeping efforts where we are requested to provide such assistance and in keeping with the policy of my Government. We commend the contributions of United Nations peacekeepers in fulfilling the role of helping parties to end hostilities. Tonga supports the ongoing work on the reform agenda of the United Nations and commends the commitment by the Secretary-General to breathe new life and inject renewed confidence into a strengthened United Nations firmly anchored in the twenty-first century, and effective, efficient, coherent and accountable. On the outstanding issue of Security Council reform, we need to remind ourselves of our commitment in the 2005 World Summit Outcome (resolution 60/1) to early reform of the Council.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Following the adoption of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (resolution 60/288) in September 2006, success will be guaranteed only if the Strategy is fully implemented. Tonga looks forward to positive progress leading to the finalization of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism during the sixty-second session of the General Assembly. As regards peacekeeping operations, we are all witnessing a surge in the demand for peace operations, with over 100,000 personnel currently serving in the field. It is also projected that there will be a further increase in numbers as new and expanded missions are approved. This development will certainly provide a major operational challenge to the institution.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Tonga further supports the position that the essential parameters of such a global framework should include the following items: enhanced leadership by the industrialized countries on emission reductions; incentives for developing countries to act, but without sacrificing economic growth or poverty reduction, and in a manner fully consistent with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities; significantly increased support for adaptation in developing countries, especially the least developed countries and small island developing States; and strengthened technology development and dissemination, with new approaches to financing, including better use of market-based approaches. The threat of terrorism continues to be real, and it is a complex global issue.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Tonga supports the view that negotiations must be advanced towards a global and comprehensive agreement on a post-2010 framework to limit global emissions to avoid dangerous climate change. It is important, therefore, that this process be completed by 2009.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Technical and financial support, however, is required to ensure that the poor derive tangible benefits from public investment in the energy sector. The central theme selected for the general debate, responding to climate change, is of particular relevance to small island developing countries, including Tonga. Climate change is not regarded as just an environmental issue, since it has implications for economic growth, sustainable development and the achievement of the MDGs. Tonga commends the Secretary-General for his laudable initiative to hold the recent high-level dialogue, which infused political momentum and set the stage for the Bali Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in December 2007.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“One such area is in the fulfilment of commitments by developed countries to achieve the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product (GNP) for overseas development assistance by 2015. Tonga joins others in calling on donor countries that have not fulfilled their obligations to recommit themselves to meeting the targets by 2015. We also look forward to a positive outcome in the forthcoming High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development to be held later this month as a lead-up to the Follow-up International Conference in Doha, Qatar, in 2008. Tonga has emphasized in other forums that, in order to achieve the MDGs, it is also imperative that affordable, clean and efficient energy be available to all through improved access to reliable and affordable energy services.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The process of an annual ministerial review of progress made in the implementation of development goals and targets, which commenced this year, provides us with a tool to gauge progress at the national level and bring into focus outstanding issues to be addressed, as well as highlighting positive experiences and best practices that can be replicated by Member States. In addition, the President’s proposal to hold a MDG leaders meeting during the sixty-second session is very welcome. Any meaningful discussion of the MDG cannot be had without also referring to financing for development. Since the landmark agreement endorsed in Monterrey in 1992, the scorecard has been mixed. While considerable advances have been made in some areas, stagnation or retrogression has been experienced in others.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Have we passed the test or have we been found wanting? The plethora of outstanding issues, unfulfilled commitments, and new and evolving global challenges reaffirms the relevance of the United Nations as the only multilateral institution that can appropriately deal with these complex global issues. The year 2007 marks the halfway point towards the target date for accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were endorsed by world leaders as a road map to a better world by the year 2015. As the President rightly observed, “[a]chieving the MDGs is not solely a test of our ability to deliver on our promises; it is, above all, a test of our moral obligations and the values that are enshrined in the Charter” (A/62/PV.1).”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“At the outset, I offer my congratulations to Mr. Srgjan Kerim on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly. Let me assure him of the Kingdom of Tonga’s cooperation, and of every confidence that the sixty-second session of the General Assembly will be productive and successful under his very able leadership. I also wish to commend Her Excellency Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain for her dedication in guiding the work of the sixty-first session of the General Assembly. I also take this opportunity to congratulate the new Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and to assure him of Tonga’s support during his tenure in office. As the United Nations advances well into its sixty-second year, we can ask ourselves how we have fared in the stewardship of our world.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The United Nations Development Programme, the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Global Fund, the World Bank and other financial institutions have provided various forms of assistance and technical expertise. Much of the technical assistance is channelled to combating diabetes and tuberculosis and preventing the spread of the HIV/AIDS. Other assistance has been directed at meeting our Millennium Development Goals and to small community programmes and projects.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Although violence renders an enduring peace elusive, we continue to harbour hopes that a lasting peace can soon be concluded so that a Palestinian State can be established, living side by side with the State of Israel in internationally recognized borders and in peace and security. Our development has been made possible through domestic resources and also through bilateral and multilateral programmes of assistance, all of which have been highly appreciated. Our major donor partners have been Australia, China, the European Union — with some members providing additional assistance — Japan and New Zealand. The United States provides assistance through its fisheries treaty with the Pacific region and through other avenues. In recent times, India, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia have provided technical assistance.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We believe that Japan should be a permanent member and that there should be a permanent seat for Africa and another for Latin America. Five years ago, Tonga was admitted to membership of the United Nations and has since actively participated in United Nations activities. It is now giving favourable consideration to contributing to the United Nations peacekeeping efforts. Consequently, arrangements for our participation will be discussed further with the United Nations. The scope of our deployment will be fashioned by our available manpower and financial capacity.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“My Government has approved the fourth deployment later in the year of police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Also, approval has been given for the deployment of the third contingent of defence personnel for 2005, in concert with the agreed rotation formula under RAMSI. We all look forward to the report of the High- Level Panel. Judging from the makeup of the Panel and its formidable credentials, I should think the report and recommendations will set the tone for the constructive engagement of the General Assembly. The membership of the Security Council ought to be expanded in both the permanent and non-permanent categories in accordance with the realities of the day and perceptions of tomorrow.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“For a decade now, we have exported our squash produce to Japan and, more recently, we have been exporting specially cultivated seaweed to its markets. It is timely that we now explore further forms of cooperation with Japan in the field of fisheries, trade in other produce, financial and investment possibilities, as well as education and training. To pursue those interests, we are giving thought to a possible presence in Tokyo, although such an undertaking will be determined by available financial resources. The policy does not supplant the long-existing warm ties of friendship we enjoy with Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States in the Pacific region, as those friendly ties and a broad range of cooperation are firmly rooted in our policy.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“To be sure, Tonga is not seeking greater market access, but desires security for its trade under a rule-based, multilateral trading system. Tonga adheres strictly to the “one China” policy and recognizes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. We welcome the shared principle of non- interference in each other’s internal affairs and, as such, we consider that delicate and sensitive issues are best dealt with in an across-the-Strait dialogue rather than at international forums. We welcome the expanding cooperation with China and recognize that its huge market provides a range of commercial, financial and trade possibilities for us and, to that end, Tonga has adopted a “look east” policy. To give effect to its interests in China, Tonga will soon establish a diplomatic presence in Beijing to explore those interests further.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Bilateral market access agreements on goods and services have been concluded with Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, New Zealand and Panama. Agreement with the United States is outstanding, as it has requested that we accede to the Chemical Harmonization Agreement and the Information Technology Agreement. Although this is an additional burden on us, we do understand that the United States is requesting the same commitments from every acceding country. The working group report has been discussed at informal working parties and so gives rise to cautious optimism that we could conclude the process before the 2005 ministerial meeting. 5 Tonga needs the understanding and the support of all WTO members as we seek commitments commensurate with the size of our economy and the stage of our development.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We must remain collectively resolute in our resolve to prevent and vigorously combat the proponents of that evil, and we must be innovative and versatile in our pursuit of meaningful countermeasures and lasting solutions. We continue to strongly support the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and applaud the recent revitalization of it and its work. Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) remains the basis of domestic measures implemented by my Government, including the submission of country and, where appropriate, regional reports. It is useful to identify areas where financial and technical assistance is necessary to enable stronger compliance by all States in meeting their international obligations. After eight years of negotiations, Tonga’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is in the final stages.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“I am happy to note that the third informal meeting of States parties to the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement has seen firm commitments by certain States Parties to enable the implementation and concrete operation of elements of part VII of the Agreement with special emphasis on and relevance to small island developing States. We continue to encourage other member States to become parties to the Agreement. We are particularly pleased that the Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean entered into force earlier this year. We consider that special milestone worthy of note in the Assembly’s work. Wanton acts of terrorism continue to test our fortitude as members of the international community.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“As a developing ocean State, we are vigilant about progress in ocean affairs and law of the sea issues. We consider the valuable contribution made by the meeting of States parties to the Convention on the Law of the Sea and its subsidiary bodies — in particular, the achievements of the International Seabed Authority, to whose mandate a research function should be added, and the work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf — worthy of mention. Together with the important role of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process, this sets a firm and practical platform for our work during this session.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“That is true of Tonga, where the main focus of development has been devoted to the larger islands of the three main island groups, but within each of those three groups other islands need further economic development. Three remote islands to the north, known as the Niuas, are disadvantaged by the tyranny of distance and are in fact in closer proximity to Samoa than they are to our own capital. The outlying islands of the Vava’u and Ha’apai groups are less developed than their main islands, while `Eua to the south-east of Tongatapu has potential but needs targeted inputs. Though we have designated core donors to those islands, their further development will need additional or new resources. So I hope that, in the review of the Barbados Programme of Action, some thought is given to the lot of those living on these disadvantaged islands.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“It is paramount that the outcomes from Mauritius be refined and focused on translating the oft-quoted special case of small island developing States into firm and timely support and global implementation. As such, participation by all member States in the forthcoming preparatory process and in the International Meeting in Mauritius is essential to realizing our development aspirations. The geographical makeup of small island States puts some of our islands at a disadvantage. That is because economic development has focused on larger islands with large populations, which thereby enjoy a higher per capita income than do other islands of the country.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“I congratulate you, Sir, on your presidency and know well that we are in excellent hands. I should also like to pay tribute to Mr. Julian Hunte for his excellent stewardship of the fifty-eighth session of the General Assembly. We are enthusiastic at the forthcoming 10-year review of the Barbados Programme of Action. We see it as an extension and implementation of the 4 commitments agreed to in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and, in particular, in its chapter VII. Whilst the developmental path to Mauritius in January 2005 has been fraught with its own challenges, it is critical to small island developing States that the impetus for that important global review not be lost in its own rhetoric.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)