IDA welcomes the Kingdom of Tonga’s historic ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The International Disability Alliance (IDA) warmly welcomes the Kingdom of Tonga’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a historic milestone for persons with disabilities in Tonga and throughout the Pacific.

Tonga deposited its instrument of ratification with the United Nations Secretary-General on 4 September 2026. The Convention will enter into force for Tonga on 4 October 2026, in accordance with Article 45 of the Convention, as confirmed by the United Nations depositary notification.

IDA respectfully extends its warmest congratulations to His Majesty King Tupou VI and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu and to the Royal Family of Tonga. IDA also congratulates His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, Minister for His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services and Minister for His Majesty's Armed Forces; Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua; His Majesty’s Cabinet; the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly; and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.

IDA particularly recognises the leadership of the Honourable Fane FotuFituafe, Minister for Internal Affairs, Employment, Women, Social Protection, Youth and Sports, and the dedicated work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its Social Protection and Disability Division, which serves as the government's focal point for disability inclusion.

This achievement has been built over many years and across successive governments and administrations. IDA acknowledges the contributions of present and former ministers, organisations of persons with disabilities, parliamentarians and public servants, as well as Tonga’s churches, faith leaders, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations and development partners. Their collective engagement has helped create the foundations for this important national commitment.

IDA celebrates the sustained advocacy, courage and leadership of Tongan persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. IDA warmly commends the Lavame’a Ta’e’iloa Disabled People Association Incorporated (LATA), together with other Tongan organisations of persons with disabilities, for helping to keep the rights, voices and aspirations of persons with disabilities at the centre of the national conversation.

IDA also acknowledges the vital contribution of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), of which LATA is a member, in strengthening the Tongan disability movement and supporting advocacy for ratification across the Pacific.

IDA was honoured to support this process in response to the call from Tongan OPDs and through its partnership and dialogue with LATA and PDF. IDA looks forward to deepening this cooperation as Tonga moves from ratification to implementation, starting in October.

“On behalf of the International Disability Alliance and the global disability rights movement, we offer our warmest congratulations to His Majesty King Tupou VI, Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu, the Royal Family, His Majesty's Government and all the people of Tonga,” said Dr Nawaf Kabbara, President of the International Disability Alliance.

“We say mālō ʻaupito to Tonga’s organisations of persons with disabilities, including LATA, whose leadership and perseverance have made this moment possible. Ratification marks a new chapter. IDA stands ready to accompany Tongan OPDs, the government and the wider community as they work together to translate the Convention into meaningful improvements in the everyday lives of persons with disabilities throughout the Kingdom.”

Ratification marks both a moment of celebration and the beginning of an important national journey. This work can build upon Tonga’s National Policy on Disability-Inclusive Development 2025–2035, the government's social protection frameworks and the established role of the Social Protection and Disability Division. Implementation should reach every part of the Kingdom – from Tongatapu to Vavaʻu, Haʻapai, ʻEua and the Niuas – and respond to the circumstances of persons with disabilities living in rural, remote and outer-island communities.

We hope that Tonga’s churches, schools, health services, district and town officers, traditional and community leaders and civil society organisations can all help ensure that information about the Convention reaches families and communities in accessible and culturally meaningful ways. Implementation should draw upon Tonga’s strong values of respect, service, faith, family, community and collective responsibility, while recognising persons with disabilities as rights-holders, leaders and equal participants in national life.

Consistent with Articles 4(3) and 33(3) of the CRPD, persons with disabilities must be closely consulted and actively involved through their representative organisations in all decisions concerning implementation. This must include women and girls with disabilities, children and young people, older persons, Deaf people, persons with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, persons with multiple disabilities and people living in outer-island communities.

Tongan OPDs should have a central role in:

• Identifying national implementation priorities.
• Raising awareness of the Convention in accessible and culturally appropriate formats.
• Reviewing laws, policies, programmes and public budgets.
• Designing more inclusive public services.
• Establishing Tonga’s implementation, coordination and independent monitoring arrangements under Article 33.
• Monitoring progress and contributing to Tonga’s reporting to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

IDA notes the reservations and declarations accompanying Tonga's ratification, including those relating to legal capacity and personal decision-making, sexual and reproductive health and political participation. Ratification provides an important opportunity for respectful, informed and inclusive national dialogue on these matters at an appropriate juncture. IDA looks forward to constructive engagement with the Government and Tongan OPDs so that all provisions of the Convention can be given their fullest effect and all persons with disabilities can enjoy their rights, will and preferences on an equal basis with others. IDA looks forward to supporting an OPD-driven pathway for CRPD implementation in partnership.

Tonga’s ratification shows what national leadership, the disability movement and international partners can achieve when they work together with a shared purpose. IDA stands in solidarity with the people of Tonga as the Kingdom begins this new chapter.

Mālō ʻaupito, Tonga.

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IDA Media

Contact: media@ida-secretariat.org

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