The Minister of Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, and Chief Executive Officer, Kilisitina Tuaimeiapi, congratulated Dr. Lia Latu Maka on her appointment to the Advisory Council of the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). Dr. Maka will serve a two-year term from September 2024 to 2026, marking the first time a Pacific Islander has held such a position, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance.
The ADBI Advisory Council, consisting of senior staff from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and distinguished scholars and practitioners from member countries, identifies effective development strategies and enhances capacity-building efforts across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Council also provides knowledge platforms for think tanks that advise leaders of groups like the G6 and G20.
Dr. Maka’s nomination was supported by Hon. Tiueti, Tonga’s Governor to the ADB, in a competitive process that included nominations from ADB member countries.
Currently working as the Governance Program Coordinator for DT Global under the DFAT-funded Tonga Australia Support Platform, Dr. Maka brings a wealth of experience in strategic policy analysis, civil service, education, and community development. She also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Tonga Public Service Commission for six and a half years.
Dr. Maka holds a PhD in Language Education and a Master’s in Education from the University of Nottingham, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics from Macquarie University.
