Tonga's King Tupou VI says the kingdom must support the private sector and continue to face the ongoing challenges of a fledging economy, as well as the threat of Covid and illegal drugs.
He was addressing the opening of the country's newly elected Parliament which was via livestream from his royal residence on the island of 'Eua on Tuesday 12 January.
"The challenge for the future is clear. We must prioritize our development goals because there are never enough resources for all our needs", he said.
"In order to advance we must have an accounting of where the nation is financially now. Our local market cannot sustain our balance of payments."
Tupou VI has urged the new Parliament to focus on facilitating Tonga's local economy, which has suffered from Covid restrictions and which has long struggled with a dependency on food and fuel imports.
Tonga's Parliament opened by King Tupou VI Photo: Tonga parliament
"Fuel can be offset to a certain extent with renewable energy priorities but Government must support local production of foods, legislate and protect fledging primary industries like Agriculture and Fisheries. Indeed it must prioritise private sector led development as clearly and jointly stated by our development partners and ourselves."
The 2022 opening of parliament officially marks the first day of work for Tonga's incoming Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni. He ousted incumbent Pōhiva Tu'i'onetoa following national elections held late last year, which saw 12 new MPs elected to Tonga's 26 seat parliament.
King Tupou VI receives Tonga's new Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, after presenting the Royal Warrant of Appointment for the PM at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday 28 December 2021. Sovaleni was elected as PM by the new parliament, following Tonga's November 18 general election. Photo: Pesi Fonua / Matangi Tonga Online
Tupou VI's speech was far more positive than his 2021 address when he scolded the house for "failing to fulfil its responsibilities" and charged the incumbent administration with disrupting the private sector and interfering with the daily operations of private businesses and public boards.
Tonga's coat of arms Photo: Tonga parliament
"The challenge for the duration of this next election period is clear. How we are to answer those challenges should be formulated and led by this Government but they must be discussed and accountable in how they are implemented here in Parliament."
Tonga parliament convenes for its first parliamentary session on Thursday where MPs will take their oaths and to elect a Chairman of the Whole House Committee and members of the Standing Committees of the House. A response to the King's speech is expected to be tabled and submitted.
Covid, Illegal Drugs, Education, Health
During his speech, Tupou VI cited issues of public concern in Tonga - the Covid pandemic, illegal drugs, and the state of health and education.
"Our population must be both healthy and educated for the country to advance towards our development goals. Covid 19 is still a serious and immediate risk to all citizens just as illegal drugs are still an ongoing risk to the population but especially to our children."
Tonga is one of few countries in the world to have avoided catching Covid with no reported infections reported so far. However, Tongan health officials have expressed concern over the country's ability to handle an outbreak. Global and local travel restrictions have crippled Tonga's tourism industry and resulted in many Tongan nationals being stranded overseas.
Illegal drugs such as Methamphetamine continue to be a serious problem in the Kingdom with drug arrests being an almost weekly occurrence. Tonga police reported 32 drug arrests over the last two weeks of December alone.
The state of education is being publicly scrutinized following a damning announcement from the Tonga Ministry of Education last week that only 69% of Form Seven students in the country passed their national exams.
Tonga remains one of the most diabetic and obese countries in the world. According to the World Population Review, it had the seventh highest percentage of obese adults in 2021.
