17 Sepitema 2019 Kuo tū’uta ‘a e me’afaka’eiki ‘o e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga, Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva ‘i he Mala’evakapuna Fua’amotu, ‘i he ‘ahό ni, Tusite 17, Sepitema 2019.

Na’e fakafolau mai ‘a e me’afaka’eiki ‘i he Vakapuna Fakakautau ‘a Nu’usila (Royal New Zealand Air Force) ‘o fakafe’ao mai ‘e he Sea ‘o e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga, konga ‘o e kau Minisitā ‘o e Kapineti, Sekelitali Pule & Sekelitali ki he Kapineti, Po’oi Pohiva(foha ‘o e Palemia), Teisa Cokanasiga(‘Ofefine ‘o e Palemia), Toketā Loutoa Po’ese pea pehē ki he kainga ofi ‘o e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga kuo pekia.

‘I he Mala’evakapuna Fua’amotu na’e me’a tonu ai ‘a e Talafekau Lahi ‘o Tonga ki ‘Aositelelia, HRH Pilinisesi Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho ki hono talitali ‘o e me’afaka’eiki. Pea kau atu kiai ‘a e Palemia Le’ole’o Hon.Semisi Sika, kau Minisitā ‘o e Kapineti, Hou’eiki Memipa ‘o e Fale Alea mo e fāmili ofi ‘o e ‘Eiki Palemia kuo pekia.

Na’e fakahoko aipē ‘a hono fakahā’ele mai ‘i he Hala Taufa’ahau ‘o tu’u laine ‘i he ongo kauhala, ‘a e fānau ako mei he Mala’e vakapuna ki he ‘Ofisi Fakapule’anga St George ko e fakahā ‘enau faka’apa’apa faka’osi ki he ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga kuo pekia.

Na’e talitali e me’afaka’eiki ‘i he ‘Ofisi Fakapule’anga St George ‘e Lord Ma’afu, Minisitā ki he Fonua mo e Kau Tau ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio.

Na’e hoko atu ai pē mo e fuofua failotu na’e fakahoko ia ‘e he Pule’anga ‘o tataki ‘e he Hou’eiki Minisitā ‘o e Kapineti mo e kau ngāue fakapule’anga kotoa ‘o e Pule’anga Tonga. Pea hokohoko atu aipē mo e failotu mei he ngaahi siasi.

‘Oku ‘i Tonga ni foki mo e kau fakafofonga Pule’anga Ma’olunga mei he ngaahi fonua muli ke faka’apa’apa faka’osi ki he ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga kuo pekia.

‘E toka ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘i he ‘Ofisi Fakapule’anga St George ‘i Nuku’alofa mei he efiafi ‘o e ‘aho Tusite 17 ‘o Sepitema ki he pongipongi Tu’apulelulu ‘o e ‘aho 19 ‘o Sepitema.

Ko e mālōlō ‘eni ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga ‘i hono ta’u 78 lolotonga ‘ene fua fatongia ko e Palemia mei he ta’u 2014. Na’á ne hoko ko e Fakafofonga Fale Alea talu mei he 1987.

NGATA’ANGA

Tuku atu mei he Potungāue Fakamatala ‘Ea, Ma’u’anga Ivi, Ma’u’anga Fakamatala, Tokangaekina Fakatamaki Fakaenatula, ‘Atakai, Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Ea mo e Fetu’utaki.

18 Sepitema 2019 Na’e fakahoko ‘i he pongipongi ‘o e ‘ahό ni ‘a e faka’apa’apa faka’osi ‘a e kau Fakafofonga Fakapule’anga mei he ngaahi fonua muli kuo nau ‘osi ‘i Nuku’alofá ni, ki he ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga kuo pekia lolotonga ‘ene toka ‘i he ‘Ofisi Fakapule’anga St. George.

Na’e me’a foki ‘i he ‘Ofisi Fakapule’anga St George ‘a e Talafekau Lahi ‘o Tonga ki ‘Aositelelia, HRH Pilinisesi Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho ‘i he pongipongi ‘o e ‘aho ni.‘Oku ‘i ai mo e kau Fakafofonga Pule’anga Muli ‘oku ‘amanaki ke nau tū’uta ‘i Nuku’alofá ni ‘i he ‘ahό ni.

‘Oku ‘atā aipe ki he kakai ‘o e fonua ke fakahoko ‘enau faka’apa’apa faka’osi ki he Palemia ‘o Tonga kuo pekia ‘i he ‘ahό ni.

‘E hokohoko atu aipē ‘a e ngaahi failotu ‘i he efiafi ‘o e ‘ahό ni. ‘A ia ‘e fakahoko ai mo e failotu ‘a e Hou’eiki Memipa ‘o e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga mo e kau ngāue. Pea toki hokohoko atu aipe ki he faka’osi ‘a e failotu mei he ngaahi siasi.

Ke fakatokanga’i ange ‘e he kakai ‘o e fonua ko e Tu’apulelulu, 19 Sepitema ko e ‘Aho Mālōlō Fakapule’anga mo e ‘Aho Tapu Fakapule’anga ko e faka’apa’apa ki he ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga kuo pekia, Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Tuku atu mei he Potungāue Fakamatala ‘Ea, Ma’u’anga Ivi, Ma’u’anga Fakamatala, Tokangaekina Fakatamaki Fakaenatula, ‘Atakai, Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Ea mo e Fetu’utaki

18th September, 2019 The public are hereby advised of the program of the State Funeral of the Late Prime Minister of Tonga, Honourable Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, which is attached.

OFFICIAL PROGRAM – State Funeral of the Late Prime Minister Honourable Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva

19 ‘o Sepitema, 2019 Na’e fakaha’ele mai ‘i he pongipongi ‘o e ‘ahó ni ‘a e me’afaka’eiki ‘o e ‘Eiki Palemiá, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva mei he ‘Ofisi Fakapule’anga St. George ki he Falelotu Senituli ‘o e Siasi Uesiliana Tau’ataina ‘o Tongá ‘i Nuku’alofa, ke fakahoko ‘a hono malanga’i.

‘I he ouau koení, na’e ‘afio ai ‘a e Ta’ahine Kuini, Kuini Nanasipau’ú pea mo Pilinisesi Lätüfuipeka Tuku’aho.

Na’e me’a ai foki mo e kau Hou’eiki Nopelé, kau Minisitä ‘o e Kapinetí, kau Fakafofonga Pule’anga Mulí, kau Takilotú, familí mo e kakai ‘o e Fonua.

Lolotonga ‘a e ouau lotú na’e fakahoko leva ‘e he Faifekau Fakatu’i pea mo e Palesiteni ‘o Siasi Uesiliana Tau’ataina ‘o Tongá, Rev. Dr. ‘Ahio ha popoaki fakamavae ki he Me’afaka’eiki ‘o e ‘Eiki Palemiá, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

“Ko e ‘ahó ni ‘oku tau fakamavae mo e ‘Eiki Palemiá mo e tu’unga lea fakalangilangi koia ko e tangata ‘a e kakai. Na’á ne hoko ko e me’a kehekehe ki he kakai kehekehé, koe’uhí ke ne tokoni’i kinautolu pea fakahaofi kinautolu. Koia ai na’á ne fakapopula’i ‘ene mo’uí neongo ‘ene tau’ataina ki he kakai kehekehe. Ko e tangata ‘a e kakai, ‘oku fai ‘e he kakai ‘a e me’a kiate iá pea ‘oku ne fai ‘a e me’a ki he kakai pea ‘oku falala ‘a e kakai kiate ia. Ne luva kiai ‘ene mo’ui pea ‘aonga ki he kakai.”

“Na’e tali ‘e ‘Akilisi ‘a e tokotaha kotoa pé ke tokoni kiai, ko e tokolahi na’e fai ‘enau hanu mo e launga kia ‘Akilisi ke tokoni’i kinautolú kae tuku ‘a e ngaahi feitu’u totonu ia ke fai kiai. Pea na’e fai ‘e ‘Akilisi honau lotó, pea na’e ‘i ai hono ngaahi faingata’a ka na’e fua tokotaha pë ‘e ‘Akilisi kae hao pë kakai ia na’e fa’a launga mo hanu.”

Na’á ne pehe foki na’e lava ‘a e ngaahi ngäue lahi ‘a ‘Akilisi ki he kakai kehekehe he na’e loloa fe’unga pë hono nima ke ala atu ki he ngaahi tukunga kotoa pë na’e ‘i ai ‘a e kakai.

“Ko hono lotó na’á ne hanga ‘o fakaloloa’i hono nimá ke ala atu ki he tukunga kehekehe ‘o e kakai. Ne ‘ikai ko ha taha sino lahi mo kaukaua ‘a ‘Akilisi ka na’e lahi hono lotó. Na’e folahi hono fo’i mafu mo fakafefeka hono nimá pea ala fefeka atu ke tokoni’i ‘a e kakai ‘oku nau fiema’u. Na’e lava ‘e ‘Akilisi ‘o ‘ai fakapopula ia ki he kakai kotoa pea ne hoko ko e vaivai ki he kau vaivaí pea hoko ko e me’a kehekehe ki he kakai kehekehe.”

“Ko e iku’anga ia ‘o e ‘ai fakapopula ia ki he kakai kotoa pë mo ‘ene hoko ko e me’a kehekehe ki he kakai kotoa pë, ko e fakafofongá, ko e sevanití, ko e tala fekau. Ko hono iku’angá mo hono olá ‘oku ngäue’aki peia he kakai ke tau’olunga ‘o tuha ko e Palemia ‘o Tonga, te ne tala ‘a e fekau ‘oku fiema’u ‘e he pule’anga ki he fakalakalaka ‘o e Fonua. Toka ä ‘Akilisi ‘i he nonga mo e fiemälie ‘a e ‘Eikí.”

Hili ‘a hono malanga’í na’e fakaha’ele atu leva e Me’afaka’eikí ki Mala’e Telekava ko hono fakahekeheka.

Na’e fakafuofua ki he kakai ‘e lauafe ne nau fakatefua ‘i he Mala’e Telekavá ko ‘enau fiekaungämamahi mo fakahä ‘enau faka’apa’apa ki he ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga kuo pekiá.

NGATA’ANGA

Tuku atu mei he: Potungāue Fakamatala ‘Ea, Ma’u’anga Ivi, Ma’u’anga Fakamatala, Tokangaekina Fakatamaki Fakaenatula, ‘Atakai, Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Ea mo e Fetu’utaki

20 Sepitema 2019 Kuo ʻoatu ʻi he ʻahó ni ʻe he ‘Eiki Sea ʻo e Fale Alea ʻo Tongá, Lord Fakafanua, ʻa e fakaafe ki he kotoa ʻo e Houʻeiki Fakafofonga Fale Alea filí ke nau fakahū mai haʻanau fokotuʻu ʻo ha Fakafofonga Fale Alea kuo fili ke ne hoko ko ha kanititeiti ki he teu fili ʻo e Palēmia Filí. ‘Oku makatu’unga hono fakahoko ‘o e fili Palēmiá ni ‘i he ‘atā ‘a e lakangá ni ‘i he pekia ‘a e ‘Eiki Palēmia ‘o Tongá, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva ‘i he ‘aho 12 ‘o Sepitema, 2019. ‘Oku tu’utu’uni ‘e he Konisitūtoné ke fakahoko ‘e he Sea ‘o e Fale Aleá ‘a e fatongia hono ui mo tataki ‘o e ngāué ni ‘o fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu’utu’uni mo e taimi kuo fakahā pau ‘i he Konisitūtoné.

ʻOku ʻatā leva ʻo kamata mei he ʻahó ni ke fakahū atu ‘e ha Fakafofonga Fale Alea kuo fili ki he ʻŌfisi ʻo e Sea ʻo e Fale Alea ʻo Tongá ha fokotuʻu kanititeiti ki he Palēmia Filí. ʻE tāpuni ʻa hono tali ʻo e ngaahi fokotuʻú ʻi he taimi 4:30pm ʻo e ʻaho Tuʻapulelulu 26 ʻo Sepitema, 2019. Kuo ʻosi fakamaʻalaʻala atu foki ʻi he tohi ʻa e Sea ‘o e Fale Aleá ki he Houʻeiki Fakafofonga Fale Alea kuo filí ʻa e founga ʻoku tuʻutuʻuni ʻe he Lao ʻo e Konisitūtone ʻo Tongá ki hono fakahū mai ʻo ha fokotuʻu pehé ni. Ko e fokotuʻu kotoa pē kuo pau ke fakahū mai ia ʻe ha Fakafofonga Fale Alea kuo fili, pea ke poupouʻi ʻa e fokotuʻú ʻe ha ongo Fakafofonga Fale Alea kuo fili kehe ʻe toko ua. ʻOku tapu foki ke toe kau ha Fakafofonga Fale Alea kuó ne fakahū mai pe poupou ki ha fokotuʻu ʻo ha kanititeiti ki ha toe fokotuʻu ʻo ha kanititeiti kehe. ʻOku mahuʻinga ʻaupito ke faipau ʻa e fokotuʻú ki he ngaahi fiemaʻu ko ʻeni ʻa e laó, pea ʻe fakataʻeʻaongaʻi ha fokotuʻu ʻo kapau ʻoku ʻikai ke faipau ki he ngaahi fiemaʻu ko ʻení.

Ko e tohi ʻo fokotuʻu ʻo ha kanititeiti ki he Palēmia Filí ʻe toki fakaava pē ia ʻo lau ʻe he Sea ‘o e Fale Aleá ʻi he ʻaho ʻe fakahoko ai ʻa e fakataha ʻa e kotoa ʻo e Houʻeiki Fakafofonga Fale Alea kuo filí ke fakahoko hono fili ʻo e Palēmia Filí. ʻE toki fanongonongo atu ʻa e ʻaho ʻe fakahoko ai ʻa e fakataha ko ʻení ʻi ha hili hono tāpuni ʻo e faingamālie ke fakahū atu ai ha fokotuʻu ki he ʻŌfisi ʻo e Sea ʻo e Fale Alea ʻo Tongá. Ko e Sea ‘o e Fale Aleá ‘e sea ‘i he fakataha ko iá.

Kuo ‘oatu ai pē ‘i he ‘ahó ni ‘e he ‘Eiki Sea ‘o e Fale Aleá ki he Komisoni Filí ‘a e tohi fakamafai (writ for election) ke fili ha Fakafofonga ‘o e Kakai ‘o Tongatapu 1, ‘a ia ne ‘atā mo e sea ko iá ‘o makatu’unga he pekia ‘a e ‘Eiki Palēmiá Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, ka ko e Fakafofonga ‘o e Kakai ‘o Tongatapu 1. ‘E toki fanongonongo atu ‘e he Komisoni Filí ‘a e ‘aho mo e feitu’u ‘e fakahoko ai ‘a e Fili ‘a e Vāhenga Tongatapu 1. ‘I he taimi tatau, ‘e ‘ikai fakatatali ‘a e fili ‘o e Palēmia Fili ‘o e Pule’anga Tongá ki ha ola ‘o e Fili ‘a e Vāhenga Tongatapu 1 he ‘oku ‘osi fakahā pau ‘e he Konisitūtoné ‘a e taimi ke fakahoko ai ‘a e fili ‘o e Palēmia Filí ‘i ha taimi ‘e ‘atā ai ‘a e lakanga ‘o e Palēmiá pea kuo pau ke fakahoko ‘a e ngāue ko iá ‘o fakatatau ki he Konisitūtoné.

NGATA’AGNA

Tuku atu mei he Fale Alea ‘o Tonga

24th September 2019 The Government of Tonga will continue to work on commitments to the Paris Agreement as the Pacific island countries push for more action on climate change.

The Chief Executive Officer for Climate Change and Environment (MEIDECC), Mr Paula Ma’u made the comments in New York today as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit got underway.

“We will recommit ourselves to what we have already committed to in the Paris Agreement,” Mr Ma’u said.

“The work continues for Tonga and we are committed and carrying out our national programs to achieve the targets and commitments we had made.

“This is important as we must all, as countries and nations of the Pacific and the world, continue to play our part in achieving our national targets, which will contribute to achieving our regional and international commitments.”

The Tongan delegation, which also includes Mr Edgar Cocker Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet, Mr Mahe Tupouniua CEO for Foreign Affairs, Ms Balwyn Faotusia CEO for Finance, HE Vainga Tone Ambassador of Tonga to the UN and USA, Mr Suka Mangisi, Deputy Ambassador, Mr Ilaisipa Alipate Principal Assistant Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Mr Ma’u Alipate Principal Assistant Secretary Prime Minister’s Office, today heard the announcement of new pathways and initiatives taken by world leaders, business, and civil society.

As carbon pollution, temperatures, and climate destruction continue to rise, and public backlash mounts, the Summit has offered a turning point from inertia into momentum, action, and global impact – if everyone gets on board.

The UN estimates that the world would need to increase its efforts between three- and five-fold to contain climate change to the levels dictated by science – a 1.5°Crise at most – and avoid escalating climate damage already taking place around the world.

However, the Paris Agreement provides an open-door framework for countries to continuously ratchet up their positive actions, and today’s Summit demonstrates how governments, businesses, and civilians around the world are rising to the challenge.

“The best science, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, tells us that any temperature rise above 1.5 degrees will lead to major and irreversible damage to the ecosystems that support us,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said today.

“Science tells us that on our current path, we face at least 3-degrees Celsius of global heating by the end of the century.

“The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win.

“This is not a climate talk summit. We have had enough talk,” he added. “This is not a climate negotiation summit. You don’t negotiate with nature. This is a climate action summit.”

Secretary General Guterres said everyone is making commitments to the Paris Agreement.

“Governments are here to show you are serious about enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. Cities and businesses are here showing what leadership looks like, investing in a green future. Financial actors are here to scale-up action and deploy resources in fundamentally new and meaningful ways. Coalitions are here with partnerships and initiatives to move us closer to a resilient, carbon-neutral world by 2050,” he said.

“And young people are here providing solutions, insisting on accountability, demanding urgent action.”

Increased Ambition, Accelerated Action
The Summit, designed to showcase government, business, and civil society efforts to increase their commitments under the Paris Agreement and work toward reducing emissions to essentially zero by mid-century.

Many countries used the Summit to demonstrate next steps on how by 2020 they will update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with the aim to collectively reduce emissions by at least 45 percent by 2030 and prepare national strategies to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century.

• The UN Global Compact demonstrated that business is moving, as companies with a combined market capitalization of more than US$2.3 trillion and annual direct emissions equivalent to 73 coal-fired power plants pledged to take action to align their businesses with science-based targets.
• Many of the more than 70 key announcements showcase the concrete ways in which countries can better adapt to climate change and cut emissions while getting the necessary technical and financial support many of them need.
• Getting out of coal is a priority. The Powering Past Coal Alliance expanded to include 30 countries, 22 states or regions, and 31 corporations committed to stopping the building of new coal power plants in 2020 and rapidly transitioning to renewable energy.
• The Summit participants recognize that to limit climate change to 1.5°C, action needs to start now.
• The Secretary-General has stated that he, and the entire UN System, will remain engaged in the follow-up of the commitments made today and will work to further scale up and monitor the initiatives to achieve the promised goals and objectives.

Climate Finance 

• The Asset Owner Alliance, a group of the world’s largest pension funds and insurers, responsible for directing more than US$2 trillion in investments, committed to transitioning to carbon-neutral investment portfolios by 2050. The members of the Alliance will immediately start to engage with companies in which they are investing to ensure they decarbonize their business models.
• The International Development Finance Club (IDFC) – a leading group of 24 national and regional development banks from all over the world, with a majority active in emerging and developing countries – announced for the first time a quantitative target of mobilizing US$1 trillion by 2025, with at least $100 million for adaptation. In addition, IDFC will launch a partnership with the Green Climate Fund to promote direct access to international climate finance and a new US$10 million Climate Facility to increase capacity to support its members on climate finance.

Unlocking the Potential of Nature in Climate Action  

• Several countries launched the Global Campaign for Nature, which aims to conserve 30 percent of the Earth’s lands and oceans by 2030.
• A new initiative by Central American countries aims, by 2030, to establish and manage 10 million hectares of “sustainable productive landscapes that are resilient to climate change,” with a goal of no less than 40 percent reduction in emissions from the baseline year of 2010.
• Launch of a High-Level Panel for the Sustainable Ocean Economy, representing 14 countries that cover approximately 30 percent of the world’s coastlines, 30 percent of the world’s exclusive economic zones, 20 percent of the world’s ocean catch, and 20 percent of the world’s shipping fleet, including a new initiative to build resilience for the ocean and marine-protected areas.
• The Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) will increase the climate ambition and maintain the forest cover of Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Equatorial Guinea, allowing the Central African rainforest to continue to provide livelihoods of 60 million people and maintain regional rainfall patterns.
• The One Planet Business for Biodiversity, led by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, will protect and nurture biodiversity through commitments structured around scaling up regenerative agriculture practices, providing a more diversified product portfolio to consumers, and supporting the protection and restoration of high-value ecosystems – including forests.

 Assistance for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

• The Climate Investment Platform will seek to directly mobilize US$1 trillion in clean energy investment by 2025 in 20 least developed countries. The platform will provide a menu of services to governments and private sector clients in their efforts to scale-up energy transition and accelerate investments for low carbon, climate-resilient development. It will also enable the delivery of ambitious NDCs.
• The LIFE-AR initiative, led by least developed countries, will strengthen South-South cooperation, aim to mobilize US$30-40 million, and deliver pathways to climate-resilient development by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

Small Island Developing States

• Small Island Developing States made a collective commitment to raise the ambition of their NDCs by 2020 and move to net zero emissions by 2050, contingent on assistance from the international community. They intend to move to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and provide support for initiatives that aim to address immediate adaptation needs and the transition to climate resilience.

Cutting GHG Emissions Now with Cooling and Energy Efficiency

• The “Three Percent Club” – a coalition of countries, businesses, and institutions – commit to putting in place more ambitious energy efficiency policies and working to drive a 3 percent annual global increase in energy efficiency, a target necessary to meet global climate goals while enhancing economic prosperity in all countries.
• The Cool Coalition will address cooling as a “major blind spot” by delivering up to 1 degree on the pathway to a 2050 net zero carbon world. With emissions from air conditioning and refrigeration expected to rise 90 percent from 2017 levels by 2050, the collective platform will set ambitious cooling targets and support cross-sectional national strategies and policies such as National Cooling Action Plans.

 People Centered Action Now

• The International Labor Organization (ILO) and other members of the Summit’s Social and Political Drivers Action Area, co-led by Spain and Peru, launched the “Climate Action for Jobs” initiative, with the goal of developing a framework for countries that considers job creation, social protection, skills development, and technology and knowledge transfer when taking climate action.
• The Safe Air Initiative will call on governments—both national and at the regional or state level—to commit to achieving air quality that is safe for populations and to align their climate change and air pollution policies by 2030, backed up by commitments from financial institutions and funds.
• Thirty-two national governments committed to implementing gender-responsive climate change action plans, policies, and strategies and empowering women as leaders of climate action.

The Economy Moving from Grey to Green

• A coalition of public and private entities working on the heavy industry transition towards net zero emissions by mid-century set out pathways for carbon intensive sectors to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
• The shipping industry launched the Getting to Zero Coalition, bringing together decision makers from across the shipping value chain to reduce GHG emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050 and make the transition to full decarbonization possible. The coalition will develop and deliver a roadmap with tangible steps to accelerate the deployment of zero emissions vehicles.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.

24th of September, 2019 It has not been an easy road to the re- establishment of the Ministry, having been moved from the Ministry to Ministry in the last few years , despite the many challenges the Ministry of Tourism has been able to mobilize and re-establish itself and focus on delivering on its mandates and achieving its targets.

The mobilization of the Ministry has seen the development of key acts and regulations in partnership with key stakeholders, therevitalization and reinstatement of statistical data collection is an important component in decision making and policy development.

With the guidance of the Hon Acting Prime Minister/Minister of Tourism, Honourable Semisi Sika the Ministry has strived to seek further donor funding for the development of Tourism and that funds are not limited to normal budget channels. Securing donor funding has been a priority (assistance) which would further contribute to tourism development in the country, á good example of some of these initiatives is the development of Tourism roads to attraction sites including roads to Liku’alofa, Oholei and Vakaloa Beach Resorts , the Blow Holes in Houma to name a few. Working in partnership and assistance of the Peoples Republic of China is the Nuku’álofa sidewalk expansion project which is the currently underway which will see the upgrade of all sidewalks and parking lots in the CBD including the surrounding areas.

In air travel developments, further connections and links have been added to the current network of flights available of New Zealand, Australia and Fiji with new connections to Samoa as well as upcoming developments of flights to Niue and China. The re-establishment of International links with Tonga’s northern island group of Vavaú has seen direct flights to Fiji and Samoa being established.Beautification and the protection and sustainability of our environment has been one important aspect of the Ministry with its initiative to engage with local communities and villages with clean-up campaign projects such as the Masani Connect which has saw the expansion of the campaign to encompass the outer islands.

The Ministry has realized the importance in engaging and empowering the Tourism industry with open communication with key sectoral divisions in the Industry to identify needs, incentive and support options for businesses in the industry, at the same time the Ministry has partnered with the Tonga Skills Program funded by Australia to facilitate capacity building opportunities.

Employment in the Tourism Industry for 2017-18 of 19.1% (6400) of the total employment in Tonga has exceeded those targeted milestones in the Tourism Roadmap which was expected to reach 4000 by 2020. Revenue expected to be generated was at $100 Million by 2020, this target was already achieved by 2017-18.

Most importantly it is evident that more visitors are choosing to visit our shores with significant growth in Cruise Ship arrivals which is expected to grow by 10% in 2019 -2020, while Total visitor numbers showed a 3.2% increase from 2016 – 2017 to 2017 – 2018. The Asian Development Bank has identified Tourism as the Sector of Growth for the economy with its contribution to GDP from 7% in 2010 to 18.1% in 2018.

According to the CEO, despite these achievements and milestones, the vision for the Ministry and Tourismis to aim for further achievements and the continuous efforts to foster closer working relationship with relevant stakeholders involved and to continue to engage with local communities to promote our island our environment and our culture as we remember World Tourism Day 2019 and the theme “Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all”.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Tourism

26th September, 2019 Today marks an important milestone for the Governments of New Zealand and Tonga as they officially launch the Tonga Justice Sector Support Programme (TJSSP).

This Programme is a 3 year $NZ3.3 million bilateral commitment. Its goal is a: “More inclusive, sustainable and responsive good governance, which strengthens the rule of law.”

This goal reflects the strategic objectives of the Tonga Strategic Development Framework II 2015-2025, particularly Outcome D which is ‘A more inclusive, sustainable and responsive good-governance with law and order’ and is also reflected in the Ministry of Justice’s Corporate Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21.

The design of this programme was only possible with the great collaboration and support from the Tonga Ministry of Justice which has been integral in the formative journey bringing us to today’s launch. The Ministry will continue to be a key partner in the implementation of the programme.

The Ministry of Justice will work closely with Coffey International Development as the programme’s Managing Services Contractor.

Coffey will provide technical support and will be located within the Ministry of Justice to ensure that a more coordinated and holistic approach is taken in the implementation of the Programme.

The Programme will have two areas of focus:

1. Strengthening of the Magistrates’ Court; and
2. The development of a Youth Diversion Scheme.

Both focus areas will be supported through an improved Case Management System to meet the functional requirements of the Courts and the reporting requirements of the Ministry of Justice and Government of Tonga.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Justice in partnership with Coffey, the Attorney General’s Office, Tonga Police and key stakeholders within and outside Government, have been part of workshops to look at ways to work together and better understand how all stakeholders can add value to the programme and track progress thereof.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Justice

26th September, 2019 Tonga is one of the 12 Pacific Island countries that will benefit from a US$1 million grant per country from the Government of India, which was announced here in New York on Tuesday.

India is giving the grant to 12 Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) for developmental projects in their countries that are threatened by rising sea levels.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the India-Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) Leaders Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 74th UNGA, also announced a concessional Line of Credit of US$150 million for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate related projects based on their requirement.

The meeting was attended by the Heads of delegation of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and Republic of Vanuatu.

Tonga was represented at the meeting by the Chief Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr Edgar Cocker, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Mahe Tupouniua and Chief Executive Officer for Finance,Ms Balwyn Fa’otusia.

Mr Cocker, leading Tonga’s delegation at the current UN Climate Summit, thanked Prime Minister Modi.

“We are grateful to the Indian Government for this assistance,” Mr Cocker said.

“This is much appreciated and we thank the Prime Minister of India and the Government of India for the assistance.

“Tonga is facing the challenge of sea level rising just like our other Pacific neighbours. It is a challenge we fave every day.

“To have such support signals the commitment our partners like India have on helping us in the islands reduce the risks and help build resistance in our own local communities.”

India’s relationship with Pacific Island nations has deepened with the evolution of Act East Policy, resulting in the setting up of the action-oriented Forum for India-Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC).

The first and second editions of the FIPIC took place in Fiji (2015) and Jaipur (2016). During the FIPIC Summits Prime Minister articulated India’s desire to be a close partner of the Pacific Island nations and its readiness to work closely to advance their developmental agenda.

This is the first time Prime Minister Modi has met the leaders of the PSIDS on the margins of UNGA in the format.

The Leaders’ deliberated on wide range of issues including sharing of development experiences for attainment of SDGs, enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, joining the newly launched Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, capacity building, implementation of projects under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and a roadmap for future India-PSIDS cooperation.

PM Modi emphasised that India and the PSIDS have shared values and a shared future. He highlighted the need for development policies to be inclusive and sustainable to reduce inequality and contribute to empowerment and improvement of the quality of people’s lives. He said that India is equally committed to tackle the impact of climate change and supports efforts of the PSIDs to achieve their developmental goals through necessary developmental and technical assistance.

PM Modi underlined the reality of climate change and called for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix to mitigate many adverse effects of climate change. He also expressed India’s readiness to share its experiences in developing alternate energy.

He expressed his satisfaction as many countries from the region have joined the International Solar Alliance and invited others to join this initiative.

He also invited Leaders of PSIDS to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

The Pacific countries also have the chance to get technical experts to provide training, with India offering to organise specialised courses also under ITEC programme in priority areas

India has also offered to help train of diplomats from Pacific Island nations at the Foreign Service Institute.

A Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp was also proposed for the Pacific regional hub under ‘India for Humanity’ programme.

PM Modi also announced the Distinguished Visitors Programme under which eminent persons from these countries can visit India.

An invitation was also extended to the Leaders for a visit of a Pacific Parliamentarian delegation.

And to continue High-Level engagement, PM Modi also extended an invitation to all the leaders for the 3rd FIPIC Summit to be held in Port Moresby in the first half of 2020.

Leaders of PSIDS welcomed the initiatives proposed by PM Modi to strengthen engagement and cooperation between the two sides and reassured full support from their respective governments, the statement said.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.

27 Sepitema 2019 Kuo fili ‘a e Fakafofonga Kakai Tongatapu 10 ka ko e Minisitā ki he Pa’anga, Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa ko e Palemia Fili ‘o Tonga, ‘i he ‘ene ikuna’aki ‘a e fo’i fili ‘e 15 ki he 8 ‘a hono kaungā kanititeiti Hon. Semisi Sika.

‘E fakahoko fatongia ‘a e Palemia kuo filí ‘i he ta’u ‘e 2 ka hoko mai, ki mu’a pea fakahoko ‘a e Fili Fale Alea hoko ‘i he 2021.

Na’e fakahoko ‘a e Fili ‘i he ‘ahό ni, Sepitema 27, 2019 ‘i he Fale Alea ‘o Tonga.

NGATA’ANGA

Tuku atu mei he Potungāue Fakamatala ‘Ea, Ma’u’anga Ivi, Mau’anga Fakamatala, Tokangaekina Fakatamaki Fakaenatula, ‘Atakai, Feliuliuaki ‘o e ‘Ea mo e Fetu’utaki

27th September, 2019 In accordance with the Exchange Letter signed on November  1st , 2018 by and between the Government of Tonga and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the proposed Grant of Tonga Wind Power Project (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”), a delegation from China Energy Engineering Group Hunan Electric Power Design Institute Co., LTD., entrusted by Chinese Government, has been conducting preliminary engineering survey  in Tongatapu for the implementation of the Project since late August.

On the 27^th September 2019, the Acting CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Andrew To’imoana as well as the Engineering & Strategic Development Manager of Tonga Power Limited Mr.  Nikolasi Fonua and, Deputy Chief Engineer Hunan Electric Power Design Institute Co., LTD Mr. Dai Qiuhua signed the Minutes of Meetings on technological consensus for the purpose of the project by communicating with the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) and TONGA Power Limited (hereinafter referred to as Tongan side).

Purpose of the Project is to construct 3 sets of wind power generators and supporting facilities with the total capacity of 2.25MW for the Kingdom of Tonga to assist in achieving its national renewable energy target of 50% share of its total electricity, generated by 2020.

Government of Tonga will continue to strengthen the relationship between China and Tonga through collaboration on renewable energy sector.

ENDS

Issued by the: Department of Energy

01^st October 2019 The Acting Director for the National Disaster Management Office Ms. Litiana Bainimarama opened the tsunami inundation modelling and mapping training under the International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC) Training Programme which takes place here in Nadi, Fiji from the 30^th September to 04^th October 2019.

While infrequent tsunamis can be extremely deadly because of their quick onset and immediate impacts within minutes. In order to warn quickly and have the public evacuate when necessary, all key Ministries and Agencies in Tonga must pre-plan and have protocols and procedures which are to be well known to every stakeholder and the people of Tonga.

These measures must be well-exercised and practiced. It is important that communities must know their hazard and risk and prepare in advance so that every person can recognize the tsunami danger and know what to do to save their lives.

This TEMPP Training course is intended to be a standardized course and process to produce reliable and practical community – level tsunami evacuation maps. The direct outcomes are for communities to know what to do and where to go when a Tsunami warning is issued or when self-responding to the natural signs of a Tsunami. Upon the completion of this training, participants from Tonga would have the capability and tools to replicate the community evacuation map processes and procedures in our country.

Community Tsunami Risk is reduced through per-event evacuation planning. Therefore the key objectives of this training are: (1) To identify Inundation Area, (2) Develop Tsunami Evacuation Maps, (3) Develop Tsunami Response Plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and (4) To conduct Tsunami exercises.

The participants from Tonga from the Ministry of MEIDECC and Ministry of Lands & Survey being represented by Mr. Laitia Fifita (Chief Meteorologist), Ms. Yumi Nafe (Assistant Geologist) and Mr. ‘Aisea Fungavai (Community Awareness Officer) will cover the explanations and use of inundation models for evacuation, earthquake tectonics, tsunami science, bathymetric and topographic grids, earthquake source parameters, forecast methodology, tsunami modelling and tsunami hazard assessments. These skills will is expected to achieved by the end of this intensive one week training and to be effectively implemented in Tonga. Participants from other countries in the region includes, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

During the Opening Ceremony of this training statement a moment of silence was observed to remember our fallen brothers and sister in the tragic Tsunami Event in Niuatoputapu Island. On this day, 10 years ago was the Tsunami event that damaged properties and deaths in Niuatoputapu.  This 10^th Anniversary of the Niuatoputapu Tsunami event in 2009, serves to remind us how Tsunami events can impact our lives and properties. Therefore, the understanding and preparedness of our people and country to such events is of paramount importance as the islands of Tonga is very vulnerable to locally generated events due to its proximity and geographical settings to the Tonga Trench.

Issued by the Department of Meteorology (MEIDECC)

01^st October 2019 The Technical staff of the Tonga Meteorological and Coast Radio Services has completed a week’s (23^rd – 27^th, September 2019) Automatic Weather Station Maintenance Training and Competency Tests. This collaboration was between TMS and experts from NIWA is under the Climate Resilience Sector Project (CRSP) framework to strengthen climate and weather services for the people of Tonga.

It is important for our services that our technical support is trained up to a very high standard and to maintain their competency levels because in order to retrieve high quality and accurate meteorological observations from our newly installed Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), they always need to be maintained and looked after at regular times. These AWSs are the backbone of our daily weather forecast for Tonga because these AWS data are then used to produce our routine forecasts.

The AWS maintenance training of the TMS technical staff being completed here, also includes our meteorological technicians from Vava’u represented by Mr. ‘Atonio Kavai, from Ha’apai was Ms. ‘Amelia Pahulu and from ‘Eua was Mr. Siale Tahaafe. The rest of the technician team here in Tongatapu included Mr. Selusalema Vite and Mr.’Enisi Maea.

The AWS Network maintenance and calibration here in Tongatapu is now complete. The team of experts will mobilze to Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua today to carry out similar maintenance and competency tests. On-going collaborations with the team from NIWA will be maintained in the in the future as well as regular online system checks.

In addition to the AWS maintenance training, the NIWA team also show cased one of the newest products being developed for TMS, this was the Wave and Tide Forecasting tool. Through the Tonga Climate Resilience Sector Project (CRSP), NIWA was commissioned to work with the Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS) to extend and develop local capabilities in meteorological and coastal monitoring systems within the Tongan archipelago. This included the development of tide and wave forecasting products/tools for use in TMS marine weather forecasting operations.

To this end, 21 automatic weather stations (AWS) were deployed at strategic locations across the Tongan archipelago, as well as 2 permanent seawater level (PSL) recorders installed at Neiafu Wharf, Vava’u, and at Felahau Wharf, Niuatoputapu. All stations are telemetered and are reporting in near real-time and are being ingested into the CliDE database with the CliDEsc product generation system installed at TMS headquarters.

In addition, 8 temporary wave recorders, 14 temporary water level recorders and 3 temporary acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs) were deployed at strategic locations from October 2018 – May 2019, enabling approximately 7 months of data to be collected.

Data collected from the temporary (and permanent) wave and water level recorders underpinned analysis and development of improved (higher grid resolution) tide and wave forecast products for key domestic shipping routes and landing sites, and at

different geospatial scales (e.g. exclusive economic zone or archipelago scale, local island/group scale at specific landing sites).

The products were developed, integrated and displayed through the Tonga CliDEsc centralized portal developed in this project for local use and assimilation by TMS into routine tide-wave forecasting operations. The improved marine weather forecast information is targeted to support Tongan maritime sector activities and to work is being continued on to provide impact based marine products for all maritime stakeholders of TMS.

In addition to the annual calendars for the sites above, a 6-day predicted tide tool has been established showing daily tide values for key landing sites. This enables operational ease for TMS duty forecasters in monitoring/obtaining tide information for inclusion into marine weather bulletins (MWB) and associated marine high tide advisories. ‘Spring’ high and low tides, as well as ‘King’ high and low tides will be automatically appear in the 6-day forecast outlook.

A national scale wave forecast 1 km grid-model was developed for the Tongan archipelago and provides wave forecasts for the key island groups of Tongatapu, Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas. Key parameters included in the forecast are: Forecasts of significant wave height, wave period, and direction up to 18 hours in advance (displayed in 12-hour intervals); Forecasts of significant wave height, wave period, and direction up to 6 days in advance (displayed in 24-hour/daily intervals).

This new product from TMS will further improve the forecasting capabilities and accuracy of our forecast and will add value impact forecasting warning and services to all our maritime stakeholders. This product would is in it’s final stage of development and will be handed over for full operational use by November this year.

ENDS

Issued by the Department of Meteorology (MEIDECC)

01^st October 2019 The Director and staff of the Tonga Meteorological and Coasts Radio Services bids farewell to Mr. Jun Suzuki and his wife Mrs. Fiumei Suzuki after his two years of service for Tonga with the Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS). It was rather an emotional farewell function for the staff of TMS and the Suzuki family as we bid farewell to them during his last day in the Tonga MET office (Friday 27^th September, 2019).

Mr. Suzuki is one of the many Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers to have had the opportunity to work with TMS under the JICA Volunteer programs. He started work with the TMS in the year 2017, serving for two years. The JICA’s mission statement is to work in accordance with the Development Cooperation Charter, will work on human security and quality growth. This together with their vision with its partners, will take the lead in forging bonds of trust across the world, aspiring for a free, peaceful and prosperous world where people can hope for a better future and explore their diverse potentials.

Mr. Suzuki’s core responsibility with TMS was focused on verifying our forecast and products. For so long we have been encaging the production of forecast and warning services for the people of Tonga. But to actually put these services to the test and verify them was still a missing component in our services. Therefore, Mr. Suzuki has verified our forecasting services in the past two years.

One of the highlights in his verifications results shows the performance of TMS forecasts ranges between 80% to 90% accuracy performances. This percentages have been verified in terms of our heavy rain & flash flood warnings and strong wind warnings for Tonga over the past two years. These results are very encouraging and is documented well for future justifications. Mr. Suzuki has also documented several important case studies over his time with us which he had presented to us to highlight the different weather characteristics of our small islands. This further added value to the importance of our Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) that has enabled us to capture such weather characteristics and variations.

An example of his documented case studies using our AWS, was to capture the nature and distributions of winds from 1^st April to 31^st August 2019 (i.e. 153 days). There is a clear trend that Kanokupolu winds are mainly from the East and Northeast quadrants, while the rest of Tongatapu are from the East and Southeast quadrants during this time.

The case study of the changes in temperature across Tongatapu in the 12^th to 17^th May 2019 was also another important verification result presented by Mr. Suzuki. He noted that during this time, weak winds from southeast to east continued blowing around Tongatapu, and the weather condition remained relatively stable. The characteristics of the temperature distribution in Tongatapu by comparing the temperature change in different places during this stable period was the objective of this verification study.

Temperature data every at 10 minutes from 12am midnight on May 12^th to 9:00am on May 17^th different eight AWS locations in Tongatapu was used in this study. The highest and the lowest temperatures are often recorded at specific station. This provided the conclusion that the temperature variations in Tongatapu is based on a diurnal pattern. Rises during the day and cools down during the night.

This with other verifications results produced by Mr. Suzuki has been discussed with the forecasting section and is well documented for future references. Mr. Suzuki and his family will depart Tonga today for Japan. We thank you Jun Suzuki for your time and services to the Tonga Meteorological Services and we wish all the best in the future and all the cooperation between Tonga and the people and Government of Japan. However, TMS as always will welcome future JICA Volunteers, potentially in the area and specialties of ICT to work with us under the any future collaboration with the Government of Japan.

ENDS

Issued by the Department of Meteorology (MEIDECC)

01st October, 2019 Over 70 delegates and experts have convened in Nuku’alofa for the 12^th Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Policy and Regulation Forum (PRFP) to address needs of the region in the area of policy and regulation.

The three-day meeting is hosted by the Government of Tonga and was opened by the Minister for MEIDECC Hon Poasi Tei.

Hon Tei said, “Broadband policy is required to nurture and ensures competition and standardization and encourages growth throughout the ICT sector. It is a regulatory framework to maximize the social and economic benefits, encourage further investment and competition in the sector, incorporate international best practice and ensure compliance commitments.”

He also highlighted Tonga’s accomplishments in the ICT sector which include:

• Liberalization of the ICT market to allow competition in mobile and ICT services, lower retail prices and increase coverage
• Launching of the international submarine cable in 2013 and the domestic connection to the outer islands in 2018
• Developing of the Digital Government Strategic Plan (DGSP) 2019-2024 in March 2019 to support the implementation of the e-Government Project
• Drafting the Cybercrime Bill which is currently in-progress to address the possibility of abusing and misusing ICT technology and provide law enforcement officials with necessary tools to investigate abuses of ICT and prosecute perpetrators
• Tonga acceding to the Budapest Convention in 2017
• Separate cluster for communications under the Cluster System of the Natural Disaster Response and Recovery Strategic Plan, and
• Installment of Early Warning Systems throughout the country with meteorological testing equipment to ensure communications resilient during a natural disaster.

Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Secretary General Ms Areewan Haorangsi said, “The programme of PRFP for this year has been designed in line with the five Strategic Pillars of the Strategic Plan of the APT for 2018-2020 considering its relevance to the unique need of the Pacific.”

“Apart for the Strategic Plan of the APT the programmes of this PRFP also bring in the vision of ‘Co-creating Connected Digital Future in the Asia-Pacific’ as agreed by the Asia-Pacific ICT Ministerial Meeting in June in Singapore.”

Haorangsi hoped that the discussions from PRFP-12 will assist in resolving “policy and regulation issues” in the Pacific Island countries, be “transformed into real practice and finally contribute to the sustainable ICT development with safe and trusted environment in the Pacific as envisioned in the Singapore Statement.”

The PRFP-12 programme include high-level policy makers and regulators roundtable on issues and trends in policy and regulation in the region. There will be thematic sessions on topics including digital transformation, digital inclusion, connectivity, telecommunication industry issues, cybersecurity, e-application and disaster management and a closed session for policy makers and regulators to discuss emerging issues in the Pacific.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications. 

02nd October, 2019 Abu Dhabi, UAE HM King Tupou IV arrived for a morning visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Accompanying him on the visit was H.R.H Her Excellency The Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho and ambassadors from the other Tongan Diplomatic missions.

The largest in the country, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was launched by the late president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art. His final resting place is located on the grounds
adjacent to the complex.

HM King Tupou IV was given an informative and insightful look into the influence of Islamic history on its design and architecture. HRH and other women in the delegation donned shaila and abaya for the special visit.

The next stop was the Louvre Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat. The delegation enjoyed a swift entry through the 12 galleries that describe the ‘Story of Humanity’. The works on show range from prehistoric artifacts to contemporary artworks.

The eventful and informative morning was welcomed as it gave more than just insight, it helped provide substance for the Embassy opening and launch here in the UAE.

ENDS

The Kingdom of Tonga Embassy in the UAE opened on 30 September. Expo 2020 will run from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 and expects to attract 25 million visits in what will be the world’s greatest show of human brilliance and achievement.

For more information please contact:

Joanna Bourke
Media Liaison
+ 64 21 356 515
info@tongaexpo2020.com

02nd October, 2019 The small South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga opened its 6th Embassy today in Abu Dhabi in the presence of His Majesty King Tupou VI and Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh. The mission is headed by resident ambassador His Excellency ‘Akau’ola.

The move is strategic, and reflects well on the closer diplomatic ties and the deep connections that have existed over time with the Tongan royal family and the leadership of the UAE.

“The United Arab Emirates is an important stepping stone for us to cover the Middle East. We look at the UAE’s incredible vision and progressive growth since 1971 and see it as a model of development.” says His Excellency ‘Akau’ola, Ambassador to the UAE and Commissioner General for the Kingdom of Tonga at Expo 2020.

The establishment of the Embassy reinforces Tonga’s appreciation of the magnitude of World Expo 2020. The event will run from October, 2020 for 173 days, and the Ambassador is confident that establishing the Embassy in Abu Dhabi a year ahead of the grand opening, will bolster the Kingdom’s position on the Expo stage and ensure the Kingdom nation is ready to fully engage in the ‘World’s Greatest Show’.

The Kingdom of Tonga’s participation is driven by His Majesty King Tupou VI, who can clearly see how the Expo will benefit both private and “grass roots” interests in the nation, ultimately boosting education, youth engagement and employment.

His Majesty King Tupou VI enthuses “The Kingdom of Tonga is a blank canvas for investors, not only from the Middle East, but the rest of the world. Expo 2020 will bring the world to us – you’re going to have America, Russia, China; all these nations coming to the UAE; and that for the Kingdom of Tonga, is an opportunity not to be missed.”

The Tonga Pavilion will be located in the Expo’s Opportunity District and will celebrate ‘The Last Pacific Island Kingdom’, drawing attention to the vast and largely unrealised potential of the Kingdom of Tonga as a world-class destination for tourists. It will feature the islands’ unspoiled beauty, natural bounty and efforts to mitigate climate concerns, as seen through the eyes of a child. His Majesty King Tupou VI will have a presence – not just at the opening and closing ceremonies – but sitting down and engaging with potential investors and answering their questions.

One hundred and ninety two (192) countries will participate in Expo 2020, providing an unprecedented opportunity for the Kingdom of Tonga to showcase its agricultural riches and flourishing tourism industry to the world.

“Within the larger Pacific island states, Tonga probably has the least developed tourism sector. We have no five-star hotels or resorts, yet we have 176 beautiful islands – of which only 30 to 40 are populated. We have the friendliest people and, as the only kingdom in the Pacific never colonised, a unique culture” says His Excellency.

ENDS

The Kingdom of Tonga Embassy in the UAE opened on 30 September. Expo 2020 will run from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 and expects to attract 25 million visits in what will be the world’s greatest show of human brilliance and achievement.

For more information, please contact:

Joanna Bourke
Media Liaison
+ 64 21 356 515
info@tongaexpo2020.com

2nd October, 2019 Tonga’s Breast Cancer Society yesterday launched the Breast Cancer Awareness Month at The Top Restaurant, ‘Uliti Uata Building under the theme ‘Early Detection Saves Lives’. The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, sponsors, cancer survivors and guests to celebrate the launch.

Surgeon and Local Clinical Expert on Breast Cancer Lord Tangi ‘o Vaonukonuka said that the theme is a “very noble message on its own.”

“By far, cancer of the breast in women is the commonest cancer in women not only in Tonga but globally. The average risk for women developing breast cancer in their lifetime is about 11%and that is a global figure, Tonga is the same.”

Lord Tangi said that women with a strong family history of breast cancer, genetic

“The word cure is very important when you talk about illness or any disease. Is it possible to talk about the cure in breast cancer? When you detect the disease very early, the answer is and the global figure in that you can cure 90% of the disease.”

He encouraged women to get their mammograms at Vaiola Hospital because it will help improve the outcomes if detect early.

President Tonga Breast Cancer Society Hon Fatafehi ‘o Lapaha Tuita Filipe expressed her sincere gratitude to all sponsors and supporters of the Tonga Breast Cancer Society for their continuous support.

She also requested guests to “continue raising awareness for breast cancer” and eradicate the stigma that surrounds the disease for early detection and the better chance of beating it.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.

04th October, 2019 Hundreds of teachers in Tonga celebrated World Teachers’ Day today with a thanksgiving service at Queen Salote College Hall. The programme was hosted by the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) schools with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Young Teachers: The future of the Profession’.

In a joint message for the day, the heads of UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF, UNDP and Education International said, “Without a new generation of motivated teachers, millions of learners will miss out, or continue to miss out, on their right to a quality education. With teachers being underpaid and undervalued, attracting and retaining talent is a challenge. Attrition rates are rising rapidly worldwide, due in part to precarious employment and scare opportunities for continuous professional development.”

They also called upon governments to make teaching a profession of “first choice for young people” and stakeholders to “share their wisdom and experiences in promoting the emergence of a vibrant teaching force.”

The Guest of Honour and President of SDA Pastor Saia Vea’s inaugural address reminded teachers of their importance and how they were called and chosen to take up the profession.

“In order for young teachers to get where we want them to be we need order teachers to nurture them, to guide them and to lead them. It is not by accident that you are here but you have been called by God for his purpose and that is for you to become a teacher. Whether you are teaching in the government or one of the church system here in Tonga, I strongly believe that you have been called.”

“We need teachers to educate the children of Tonga and we must train them to become one and shed light to darkness.”

The teachers also observed a moment of silence in tribute to the Late Prime Minister of Tonga Hon Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva who was a former teacher and Minister for Education.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.