TONGATAPU ISLAND PRE CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP) 27 STAKEHOLDER’S CONSULTATION AND TREE PLANTING

19th October 2022, the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Risk Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication in collaboration with the British High Commission Office, held the first Tongatapu Island Pre COP stakeholder’s consultation in preparation for the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP) which will be hosted by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh on the 6th – 18th November 2022. This stakeholders’ consultation was held at the Tanoa Hotel Conference Room in Nukuálofa with participants included the Tonga Delegates that will represent Tonga at the COP 27, JNAP Taskforce members and other relevant stakeholders.

This consultation is aimed to enhance practical actions that will make a bold statement to the international community and leaders who are about to meet at COP27 that urgent climate action is needed more now than before for our small Island state.

The Guest of Honor Her Excellency Lucy Joyce British High Commissioner who is also a climate change advocate, mentioned in her speech, “As the UK holds the Presidency still until the beginning of COP27, there is crucial work to be done as we spend the coming days in working with governments and organizations to make sure they deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact, turning momentum into action.”

This will be accomplished in attaining four goals:

  • Ensuring promises on emissions reductions are kept to keep 1.5 degrees alive
  • Delivering for climate vulnerable countries by ensuring commitments on adaptation and loss and damage are honored
  • Getting finance flowing
  • And working together and continuing to an inclusive Presidency

The UK through the COP Presidency will work hand-in-hand with the COP27 President Egypt, COP28 President UAE, our international partners, business, youth and civil society, to deliver our priorities and keep climate at the top of the international agenda.  Pushing for further action across critical sectors and turning promises into clear delivery plans through established forums and international councils.

“I continue to applaud Tonga for their involvement and commitment to fighting climate change.  We have all seen and experience here its effects and know that it will only worsen if we do not act now!” HE. Lucy Joyce continued.

Keynote Address – Her Excellency Lucy Joyce, British High Commissioner

The Head of Policy and Planning Division under the Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC Ms. Fololita Sila conveyed the welcoming remarks to welcome the British High Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Ministry of MEIDECC and the rest of the participants.

Welcome Remarks – Ms. Fololita Sila, Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC

“This year, the focus of the Pre Cop 27 Consultation is to support Tonga’s delegation with their preparation for the annual COP or 27th Session of the Conference of the Parties to UNFCCC which will be held in Egypt next month,” said Mr. Paula Ma’u, the CEO for MEIDECC.   

“I would also like to acknowledge Tonga’s delegates and thank you for attending today’s Pre Cop 27 consultation.  I am certain that the knowledge and information you will learn from today’s consultation will help prepare you for what to expect at COP and even more.”

Vote of Thanks – Mr. Paula Maú, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Ministry of MEIDECC

Following the opening ceremony of the Pre COP 27 stakeholders’ consultation was a series of presentation led by the Head of Divisions in the Department of Climate Change on the thematic areas and facts for the Tonga Delegations to take note while in the 27th Conference of the Parties.

Presentation – Ms. Losana Latu, Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC

To mark this auspicious event, the manager and staff of Tanoa International Hotel allowed their grounds to conduct a tree planting activity in which five (5) moli trees were planted contributing to the Second National Determined Contributions targets of planting 1 million trees by 2023. Following

HE Ms. Lucy Joyce marking the event by planting a Moli tree to mark the Second NDC target of planting one million trees by 2023 at the Tanoa International Hotel.