19th November, 2016 Mr. Paula Ma’u, the CEO for Ministry of Climate Change (MEIDECC), Tonga, delivers the National Statement on behalf of the Government and people of Tonga at the High Level Segment of the twenty second Conference of the Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 17 November 2016, Marrakech. Morocco.
“It is undeniable that the effects of Climate Change increasingly threaten the very existence of Small Island Developing States such as Tonga, whose vulnerabilites are rapidly increasing and swiftly eroding our capacities for resilience and efforts to achieving and safeguarding our sustainable development goals and aspirations, Mr. Ma’u said.
Tonga is one of 110 Parties, out of the 197 Parties to the UNFCCC, that have ratified the Paris Agreement which entered into force on 4 November this year. “The early entry into force of the said Agreement signals the next steps in the global partnership to combat the effects of climate change”, said Mr. Ma’u.
He continued to say that Tonga recognizes and re-emphasizes the intrinsic value of limiting temperature increase to 1.50C and to ensure global cooperation in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, and the SAMOA Pathway.
This is strategically reflected, framed, and aligned to all elements contained in the Tonga Climate Change Policy 2016, the development of its pending JNAP Phase II, and the National Organizational Outcomes of the Tonga Strategic Development Framework, 2015-2025.
Upon ratifying the Paris Agreement, Tonga is committed in ensuring rapid progression at the national level that will empower and enable its efforts to implement the necessary actions toward achieving its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets said Mr. Ma’u.
He added that NDC targets have prompted Tonga to embark on an ambitious energy road map that will see a dramatic rise in the proportion of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives through 50% clean energy generation from renewable energy by 2020 and 70% by 2030, our commitment to double the number of Marine Protected Areas by 2030 and to ensure viable and real sector emission reduction targets in the areas of Transport, Agriculture, Tourism, Environmentally sound Waste Management and Reforestation measures.
The Government of Tonga is also aware of the mechanisms and funds that is needed to accelerate NDC targets. “Financing that is channelled through numerous initiatives such as the Green Climate Fund, can be further strengthened through enhancement of the existing capacity and the establishment of a GCF office in the Pacific region”, Mr. Ma’u said.
He concluded his statement by saying, that the twenty second Conference of the Parties and the opening of the first session of the CMA is testament to the genuine partnerships and collective responsibilities fostered between countries which must contain a robust element of transparency. Civil society, academia and private sectors must play their roles in ensuring genuine accountability by state actors, must also be steadfast and continue to be the solid drivers in our search for solutions towards achieving a resilient world for both present and future generations.
For more information please contact Email; paulm@mic.gov.to
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications