Tonga, 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

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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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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. 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.