UNDP Deputy Director Meets with Speaker of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly and Engages with Youth Leaders

This morning, the Deputy Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Christophe Bahuet, met with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, and Chief Clerk Gloria Pole’o.

Mr. Bahuet was accompanied by Ms. Tuya Altangerel, UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Region.

During the meeting, Lord Fakafanua and Mr. Bahuet discussed ongoing UNDP support to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga through the Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative (PPEI). Lord Fakafanua expressed his appreciation for UNDP’s continued assistance, which has included capacity-building programmes for Members of Parliament and staff, the Tonga Youth Parliament, induction training for new MPs, the She Leads initiative, Practice Parliament for Women and support for Tonga’s participation in regional and international conferences.

The Chief Clerk, Gloria Pole’o and Ms. Tuya Altangerel, UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Region signed a Letter of Agreement The United Nations Development Programme and the Legislative Assembly of Tonga on the implementation  of the Tonga Constituency Development Fund Pilot Project for the “ Accountable Public Finances to serve the Pacific people-Vaka Pasifika. The UNDP serves as the implementing partner.

Following this, Mr. Bahuet joined a one-hour dialogue with youth leaders at the MPs’ Deck of the Legislative Assembly.

The session brought together representatives from church and community youth groups, as well as national members of the Commonwealth Youth Council and Pacific Youth Council. The discussion focused on key challenges facing young people in Tonga, including limited access to funding, healthcare, education, and opportunities to participate in political and economic decision-making.

Mr. Bahuet encouraged the youth to remain engaged and proactive:

“UNDP recognises the potential of young people, for they are the future. Your role is not only to advocate for youth but to actively engage with key stakeholders. Build networks and share ideas as tools to effectively influence decision-makers.”

He acknowledged the underrepresentation of youth voices at both regional and global levels, and urged participants to take full advantage of every opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the dialogue on development.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening youth participation in shaping the future of Tonga and the broader Pacific region.