TONGA BECOME THE 84TH MEMBER OF THE ASIA INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BANK (AIIB)
On the 5th of January 2021. Tonga becomes the 84th member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The occasion was marked with a flag ceremony at the AIIB Headquarter participated by the President of the AIIB Mr Jin Liqun, Vice President Right Hon. Sir Danny Alexander, Vice President D.J Pandian and Senior Officials from the AIIB.
The AIIB has appointed the Minister for Finance Hon. Tevita Lavemaau as the Governor representing Tonga to AIIB and Finance CEO Ms. Balwyn Faótusia as Alternate Governor. Tonga, together with Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu, has joined the Constituency Office led by the Executive Director of South Korea and Alternate Executive Director of Israel.
At a brief exchange between H.E. Ambassador ‘Uta’atu and President Jin, Ambassador ‘Uta’atu remarked, “As the Representative of His Majesty and the Government of Tonga to the People’s Republic of China, I am deeply honoured to witness the final phase of Tonga’s membership process and the flag ceremony, to mark the official accession of the Kingdom of Tonga as the 84th member of AIIB”. Ambassador also expressed his sincere gratitude for the trust and the decision to approve the application of the membership of the Kingdom of Tonga.
President Jin in his remarks welcomes the Kingdom of Tonga to the AIIB and they look forward to a close working relationship with Tonga in the areas of Climate Change and Renewable Energy to name a few.
The ceremony lasted for about 30 minutes.
Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, Beijing China.
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