Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala highlighted that Tonga’s most valuable asset is its people during the National Development Summit 2025. He emphasized the need for quality education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. The summit, focused on assessing the past decade under TSDF II and planning TSDF III, involves community engagement and aims to create a resilient Tonga amidst challenges faced. Various sessions will cover critical development topics for the next ten years.
At the National Development Summit, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala emphasized that the Tongan people are the key asset for development in the nation. He highlighted the necessity of emphasizing quality education, healthcare, and livelihoods to secure a prosperous future. This summit is Tonga’s first national consultation, focusing on evaluating development progress from 2015-2025 under the Tonga Strategic Development Framework (TSDF) II, and strategizing for TSDF III (2026-2036).
During the summit’s opening, which was attended by over 200 representatives and broadcast live, the Crown Prince articulated the theme, “A resilient Tonga through transformative action, safeguarding our heritage.” He stressed the significance of collaboration, proactive leadership, and strategic implementation for enhancing resilience and improving the population’s well-being.
The Crown Prince specifically acknowledged the various challenges faced, including natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and volcanic activity. Despite these adversities, he commended the Tongan people’s resilience and ability to collaborate in overcoming them. He stated, “The people are our nation’s most valuable asset for development, possessing the intellectual capacity, spiritual courage, and energy needed to guide and implement development strategies for the country’s future.”
To fortify this resilience, he asserted the need for a people-centered approach in upcoming national development plans, ensuring every Tongan has access to basic services and empowerment opportunities. This approach will especially focus on women, youth, disabled individuals, and community members in outer islands. The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke, along with other government officials, engaged participants in assessing achievements over the past decade and lessons learned for future strategies.
The summit consists of various sessions geared toward specific topics such as Economic Development, Resilience and Climate Change, Infrastructure, Technology, and Education. Insights from experts will guide future national strategies, ensuring that development meets the needs of all Tongans while fostering community engagement and collaboration.
Participants are encouraged to interact through live-streaming on the Prime Minister’s Facebook page, where they can provide feedback and queries. The summit aims to shape Thailand’s national development roadmap for the next decade, highlighting the importance of each citizen in building a resilient and thriving Tonga.
The National Development Summit underscores the critical role of Tonga’s people in shaping the nation’s future. With a focus on quality education, healthcare, and community empowerment, strategies for the upcoming decade will prioritize resilience and development. The collaborative effort among government officials, representatives, and the community aims to integrate various recommendations and approaches for sustainable growth. Emphasizing a people-centered approach in TSDF III, Tonga seeks to address challenges while fostering national well-being and progress.
Original Source: matangitonga.to
