PRESS RELEASE
The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, participates at the Small States Forum: Building Jobs and Resilience in Small States, held on the fifth day of the 2025 World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.
The Forum aims to position the World Bank Group as a convener and leader in Small States and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) support, offering a platform for substantive dialogue on improving policies and instruments to achieve better results. The forum discussed the new Small States Strategy that the World Bank Group is developing, which will better align financial and operational support for expanding employment and fostering inclusive, sustainable livelihoods.
Prime Minister Eke expressed his gratitude to the World Bank for their works to develop a strategy that will guide the Bank’s assistance towards small states including the Pacific region and Tonga and rendered his full support and acknowledged the given opportunity to provide feedback.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the most vital question to consider is, “The How’ and When questions”. How can we transform our approach to secure the support we need, both in scale and timing? - by tackling these "how" questions, we can unlock meaningful change toward success. He also emphasized, regional integration undoubtedly offers significant advantages for countries, fostering collaboration and shared progress.
Prime Minister also reflected on the importance to consider the unique priorities of individual nations as each country has its own diverse needs, contexts, and timelines. As by balancing regional efforts with national interests, can create a more inclusive approach that benefits all parties involved – emphasizing the relevance to incorporate indexes such as the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) that accurately captures the unique structural challenges of Small Island States.
Dr Eke acknowledged the ongoing support and collaborative partnerships with other development partners. He calls on the Bank assistance in seeking the opportunities that can enhance small states' access to concessional financing and targeted financial facilities. Focusing on priority themes will help channel support towards critical regional resources, such as the Pacific Resilience Facility. By implementing innovative strategies to leverage climate finance - can address the unique challenges face by the Pacific region in securing vital funding from various sources.
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