UN REP PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO TONGAN PM
(Nukua’lofa, August 28, 2009) – The United Nations Resident Coordinator and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Knut Ostby yesterday presented his credentials to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Dr Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele.
“We are delighted to welcome Mr Ostby to the Kingdom of Tonga and look forward to strengthening our ties with the United Nations during his tenure in the Pacific,” Dr Feleti Sevele said.
Mr Ostby represents the UN and UNDP in 10 Pacific island countries and as Resident Coordinator and is the highest UN ranking official in the Pacific based in Suva.
He brings with him a wide range of experience within the UN system, including from previous assignments as UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, Senior UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Afghanistan, UNDP Evaluation Advisor in New York, UNDP Recovery Manager in the Maldives 2005, and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Iran 2006-2009.
In his meeting with the Tongan PM, Mr Ostby highlighted two major joint priorities of the Government of Tonga and UNDP. They included the Millennium Development Goal capacity building and support to the Tonga Parliament (Fale Alea).
“In partnership with the Fale Alea, UNDP seeks to promote good governance through strengthening the Office of Parliament in providing efficient and sustainable advice and provision of services,” Mr Ostby said.
“UNDP also hopes to assist Tonga in meeting the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015. To this end, we will work together to enhance efforts within Government to meet the goals.”