Tonga and Samoa have been representing the Pacific at an international meeting of parliamentarians in Belgium.
The Deputy Speaker, Lord Tuilakepa, and Tongatapu 3 MP Siaosi Sovaleni joined parliamentarians from the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States at a joint parliamentary assembly with the European Union in Brussels.
Lord Tuilakepa said it was important to have a say in these institutions and to be kept up to date on major international issues such as climate change.
Tonga, Samoa and the Seychelles successfully put forward a proposal on climate change that reflected the importance of the forthcoming international meeting in Poland.
The Brussels meeting passed on resolutions on cybercrime and drug trafficking; the role of small and medium enterprises in economic transformation and wildlife trafficking.
Hon. Sovaleni said the fight against cybercrime and the use of technology by drug traffickers was a major concern.
He said members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States should consider joining the Council of Europe’s Convention on cybercrime to fight the problem.
Tonga said while small and medium sized businesses needed support, but funding should address building climate resilience, especially when they are vulnerable to cyclones and flooding.
The ACP Parliament has 79 countries.
The main points
- The Deputy Speaker, Lord Tuilakepa, and Tongatapu 3 MP Siaosi Sovaleni have been representing Tonga at an international meeting of parliamentarians in Belgium.
- Tonga represented the Pacific along with Samoa.
