Minister of Foreign Affairs (Tonga)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga is a cabinet minister in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tonga. It is responsible for conducting foreign relations of the country.
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga | |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | |
| Status | Foreign Minister |
| Abbreviation | FM |
| Member of | |
| Seat | Nukuʻalofa |
| Nominator | Prime Minister of Tonga |
| Appointer | King of Tonga |
| Term length | No term limit |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Tonga |
| Inaugural holder | Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake |
| Formation | 4 June 1970 |
The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu, who has served since 28 December 2021.[1]
Description of the office Edit
Like other ministers, the Foreign Minister is formally appointed by the King on the nomination of the Prime Minister, and is responsible to both the Prime Minister and the Legislative Assembly. The position may be held independently, or in conjunction with other ministerial responsibilities. From time to time, the Prime Minister has simultaneously served as Foreign Minister.
List of ministers Edit
- Political parties
- Other factions
- Symbols
† Died in office
The following is a list of foreign ministers of Tonga since the country gained independence in 1970:[2]
| No. | Name (Birth–Death) | Portrait | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prince Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake (1922–1999) | 1970–1979 | |
| 2 | Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa (1948–2012) [a] | 1979–1998 | |
| — | Baron Vaea (1921–2009) Acting | 1998 | |
| 3 | Prince ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho (born 1959) [b] | 1998–2004 | |
| 4 | Lord Taumoepeau-Tupou of Toula and Kotu (1943–2013) | 2004–2009 | |
| 5 | Lord Sevele of Vailahi (born 1944) | 2009–2010 | |
| 6 | Lord Tuʻivakanō (born 1952) | 2011–2014 | |
| 7 | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva (1941–2019) | 2014–2017 | |
| 8 | Siaosi Sovaleni (born 1970) | 2017–2018 | |
| (7) | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva (1941–2019) | 2018–2019† | |
| — | Semisi Sika (born 1968) Acting | 2019 | |
| 9 | Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa (1951–2023) | 2019–2021 | |
| 10 | Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu (born 1959) | 2021–present |