TWO MPs of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga will be amongst over 80 international parliamentarians that will discuss the future of global development agenda at the Houses of Parliament, London from November 26-28th.

This year’s theme: Placing Parliamentarians at the Centre of Global Development.

The Honorable Speaker of Parliament, Lord Fakafanua and Tongatapu 2 constituency MP, Semisi Tapueluelu are representing the Tongan Parliament at the conference.

The International Parliamentary Conference on the Post-2015 Development Agenda conference supported by UNDP, aims to build the capacity of MPs to ensure that governance, transparency and accountability as necessary contributors to good development outcomes are at the core of the post-2015 development debate.

CPA UK’s website (www.parliament.uk) says the three day event objectives include the following:

In a letter from Chair, CPA UK Executive Committee, RT Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst MP believed passionately that parliamentarians are one of the most important stakeholders in the formation, sustainability an accountability of domestic and international development.

“And … hope that we can strengthen parliamentary capacity in this field,” stated RT Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst.
The Chair also mentioned that “our aim must be to contribute to the United Nation and civil society organisations in developing the post 2015 framework.

“We must also show that as parliamentarians we can play an even greater role than previously envisaged in implementing and succeeding in reaching the post-2015 development goals,” explained RT Hon. Haselhurt MP.

The UK Parliament’s website states that new global development goals to end extreme poverty, improve health and education, and promote sustainability must be simple and measurable.

While in the United Kingdom, the Tongan MPs will also attend a one day conference on Monday, November 25 on theme, “Equality and the Empowerment of Women in the Post 2015 Development Agenda.”

It will focus on increasing the involvement of women in decision making at all levels and how to measure quantitative and qualitative progress.

The London meeting brings together an assortment of high profile experts from governmental, international and non-governmental organizations and academia who will lead discussions on how parliamentarians including Tongans – can continue to work for eradication of poverty across the globe.