UN General Assembly
2008

His Majesty King George Tupou V is the driving force guiding the political reform process on which we have embarked as a nation. He holds the view that the monarchy is an instrument of change and not an obstacle to it. He has for some years, therefore, encouraged the Government to take the necessary measures to bring about a more democratic form of government, one in line with the aspirations of his people and with the changing circumstances of our globalized world. In July this year, royal assent was granted to the Constitution and Electoral Commission Act of 2008. Its main task is to consider the constitutional and electoral implications of the resolutions of the Legislative Assembly and to draft the necessary bills for consideration and enactment. Tonga was the first Pacific State to present its national report at the second session of the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review earlier this year. I wish to thank New Zealand for assisting in the funding of the preparation of the report and also those