Tonga hosts Commonwealth Secretary-General | RNZ News

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland is in Tonga for her first official visit to the kingdom.

After her recent visit to Samoa Baroness Patricia, the first woman to serve as Secretary-General, will meet with the Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, and members of the Government.

This will be an opportunity for Cabinet Ministers to discuss the forthcoming Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this year in Samoa. Also up for discussion are technical cooperation programmes from which Tonga could benefit, as a member of the Commonwealth.

She will also update leaders and ministers about an array of Commonwealth programmes designed to help member countries, strengthen democratic institutions, build resilient economies, and protect the environment

Baroness Scotland will also visit locations and communities affected by the Hunga-Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami of 2022 to observe first-hand the impacts caused by these disasters.

The Secretary-General’s schedule also includes engagements with non-governmental and civil society representatives.