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Fekitamoeloa ʻUtoikamanu

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Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu
'Utoikamanu in 2017
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
28 December 2021 – 28 March 2024
Prime MinisterSiaosi Sovaleni
Preceded byPōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
Minister of Tourism
In office
28 December 2021 – 28 March 2024
Preceded byʻAkosita Lavulavu
Succeeded byViliami Latu
Personal details
BornDecember 1959 (age 64)
NationalityTongan

Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu (born December 1959) is a Tongan civil servant, diplomat and former Cabinet Minister. From 2005 to 2009 she was Tonga's permanent ambassador to the United Nations, and from 2017 to 2021 she was United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. From 2021 to 2024 she was minister of foreign affairs.

Early life

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‘Utoikamanu is a graduate of the University of Auckland. She received her Bachelor of Commerce in Economics degree in 1980 and her Master of Commerce in Economics in 1983. She worked in Tonga's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 1991 to 2002, then as Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 2002 to 2005.[1]

Diplomatic career

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On 15 February 2015 ‘Utoikamanu was appointed as Tonga's Permanent Representative to the United Nations[2] She continued in the role until late April 2009.[3] While in New York, she also represented the Pacific Islands Forum.[4] Her concomitant ambassadorial rank was that of Tonga's ambassador to the United States, Venezuela and Cuba, and High Commissioner to Canada,[5] from May 26, 2005.[6] As Tonga's representative at the United Nations, ʻUtoikamanu emphasised the need to address the issue of climate change.[7]

In April 2009, she stepped down from her ambassadorial duties, both in the United Nations and the four countries above, and was appointed Deputy Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.[8][9] While at the Pacific Community, she served as deputy pro-chancellor and deputy chair of council of the University of the South Pacific.[10] In 2016 she was appointed chief executive of Tonga's Ministry of Tourism.

On 12 April 2017 she was appointed United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.[10] In April 2021 she was succeeded in the role by Earle Courtenay Rattray.[11]

Minister of Foreign Affairs

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On 28 December 2021 she was appointed to the Cabinet of Siaosi Sovaleni as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism.[12] She was the only woman in Cabinet, and the only minister from outside the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.[13]

On 2 February 2024 the king purported to revoke ʻUtoikamanu appointment as a minister, as well as prime minister Siaosi Sovaleni's position as armed forces minister.[14][15][16] Attorney-General Linda Folaumoetu'i advised the Cabinet that the decision was unconstitutional.[17][18]

On 4 April 2024 Prime Minister Sovaleni announced that she had resigned her cabinet portfolios, effective from 28 March.[19]

Honours

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National honours

References

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  1. ^ "NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF TONGA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS", United Nations, February 15, 2005
  2. ^ "NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF TONGA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS", United Nations, February 15, 2005
  3. ^ "Tonga's new Ambassador to the UN in New York" Archived 2011-05-27 at the Wayback Machine, Matangi Tonga, April 16, 2009
  4. ^ "52nd Commission on the Status of Women", Secretariat of the Pacific Community
  5. ^ "INTERVIEW: FEKITAMOELOA KATOA ‘UTOIKAMANU" Archived 2009-07-12 at the Wayback Machine, Islands Business, July 8, 2009
  6. ^ "Fekitamoeloa Utoikamanu Presents Credentials", US Department of State, May 26, 2005
  7. ^ "Statement during the Thematic Debate on Addressing Climate Change: The UN and the World at Work" Archived 2008-03-24 at the Wayback Machine, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations, February 12, 2008
  8. ^ "Tonga's new Ambassador to the UN in New York" Archived 2011-05-27 at the Wayback Machine, Matangi Tonga, April 16, 2009
  9. ^ "INTERVIEW: FEKITAMOELOA KATOA 'UTOIKAMANU"". Islands Business. 8 July 2009. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009.
  10. ^ a b "Secretary-General Appoints Fekitamoeloa Katoa 'Utoikamanu of Tonga as High Representative for the Least Developed, Landlocked,Small Island States". United Nations. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  11. ^ Secretary-General Appoints Courtenay Rattray of Jamaica High Representative for Least Developed, Landlocked Countries, Small Island Developing States United Nations, press release of April 26, 2021.
  12. ^ "PM names new government". Matangi Tonga. 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Tonga's PM names new government". RNZ. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Tonga's King Tupou VI loses confidence in PM Hu'akavameiliku". RNZ. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  15. ^ "King has no confidence in two ministers". Matangi Tonga. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Government remains tight lipped about King's withdrawal of consent for Cabinet Ministers". Kaniva Tonga. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Cabinet refutes King's orders, claiming it goes against Constitution". Matangi Tonga. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Tonga Prime Minister has final call on ministers, not the King - former attorney-general". RNZ. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  19. ^ "PM announces resignation of two Cabinet ministers". Matangi Tonga. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
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Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Tourism
2021–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Minister of Foreign Affairs
2021–present
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