When the Kingdom of Tonga prepared for the 2025 World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., it is teamwork to support the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, in carrying the nation’s hopes, with the help and guidance of the Almighty God made everything possible. A network of dedicated public servants and officials—working behind the scenes and across time zones and across the oceans to support Prime Minister.
From Nuku‘alofa to Washington D.C., the journey reflected the essence of Tongan teamwork: unity, humility, and service. Coordination began weeks before departure. At the Ministry of Finance, Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Kilisitina Tuaimei‘api, her Deputy CEO Ms. Tufui Faletau, and the Ministry’s team worked around the clock to finalize policy briefs, talking points, and data to support Tonga’s engagement with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Their task was immense ensuring that Tonga’s voice on key issues such as climate adaptation finance, fiscal resilience, and sustainable development was clear and compelling.
At the same time, the accredited Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga to Washington, D.C., concurrently the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York joined forces to manage logistical and diplomatic preparations. This included everything from liaising with the U.S. Secret Service, consulting pertinent U.S. authorities, arranging transportation logistics, and ensuring that every arrival and departure detail aligned with the Prime Minister’s schedule. Ambassador Viliami Va‘inga Tōnē and his team, Deputy Permanent Representative, Mr Leonaitasi Kuluni and Mr Soane Tonē in New York acted as the vital link between the U.S. Department of State, airport authorities, and Tonga’s delegation.
Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Mr. Tatafu Moeaki, arrived in Washington, D.C., from Armenia following an official assignment, joined by his dedicated staff members Mr. Taniela Taumoepeau and Ms. Mefilini Tohi from Tonga. Already stationed in Washington, D.C., Ms. Saane Lieti Lolo, a senior official from Tonga’s Ministry of Finance, continued her two-year assignment as Advisor to the Executive Director at the World Bank Group, providing invaluable in-country support and representation. Also providing able assistance is Ms. Sela Fukofuka Tu‘iono, a long-serving and passionate Tongan national at the Executive Director’s Office. Supporting from the regional front were two Tongan nationals — Mr. ‘Aholotu Palu, Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC), and Mr. Henry Cocker, Finance and Planning Manager of PCRIC — both contributing regional expertise and perspective to the mission’s success.
As the delegation gathered in Washington, each member of the support team carried out their role with quiet efficiency and national pride. They managed scheduling and documentation, upheld the decorum expected at such high-level meetings, and ensured Tonga’s messages reached both home and abroad with clarity and impact. Their collaboration exemplified seamless coordination and precise communication, ensuring that the Prime Minister’s engagements proceeded without interruption.
Despite the distance from home, the spirit of Tonga was palpable—seen in the mutual encouragement, shared prayers, and collective determination to represent the Kingdom with integrity and purpose. Each challenge—be it logistical delays, last-minute programme changes, or demanding schedules—was met with calm, cooperation, and faith.
Prime Minister Eke’s presence and leadership at the Annual Meetings symbolized Tonga’s voice on the global stage. It was also the teamwork behind the scenes that contributed to a fruitful and productive mission. From the Ministry of Finance and the National Reserve Bank of Tonga in Nuku'alofa to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., every contribution—seen and unseen—formed part of a larger story of service to the nation and to the Kingdom.
As one team member aptly remarked, “We may come from different offices, but when it’s for Tonga, we move as one.”
Through this shared effort, the delegation not only advanced Tonga’s priorities on climate resilience and sustainable development but also showcased something equally powerful: the enduring strength of Tongan teamwork—rooted in unity, respect, and unwavering dedication to the Kingdom.
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