The Tongan Legislative Assembly has formally closed its 2024-2025 session Wednesday ahead of the general election next month.
In a brief soft-closing ceremony, three nobles, Lord Tu‘iha‘ateiho, Lord Ve‘ehala and Lord Luani, delivered the address on behalf of King Tupou VI.
They announced the formal end of the term of the Assembly and signalled the transition into the campaign period.
In his address, King Tupou VI thanked parliament and government for “doing so much in a short time” but emphasised that “there’s still more work to be done after the general elections”.
He acknowledged development partners and stressed the need to include stakeholders and minimise loss in government activities.
He reminded leaders of the importance of working together to uphold cultural traditions, values the young people should “see and hear” in their leaders.
He urged Tongans to live with the four core values, fakaʻapaʻapa, loto tō, feveitokai’aki and māmahī’í me’a, and warned that many overseas jobs require skilled English-speaking workers.
“This is important for us and so we must train our workers according to the requirements from the overseas countries.”
The King concluded with the spectre of the election, saying, “vote wisely in the upcoming election”.
He reaffirmed that parliament must always put people first and acknowledged Tonga’s upcoming 150th anniversary of the Constitution.
The election for the Assembly is scheduled for 20 November 2025.
