Minister for MEIDECC opens the Tonga Climate Change Donor Roundtable 2019

14th August, 2019 The Minister for MEIDECC, Hon. Poasi Mataele Tei officially opened the third National Climate Change Donor Roundtable this morning, at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga Conference Room.

Hosted by the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of MEIDECC in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the event aims to discuss Climate Change Initiatives in Tonga and its linkages to national, regional and international policy instruments as well as highlighting the first year of implementation of JNAP 2018-2028 (JNAP 2).

The main objective of the meeting is to emphasize Tonga’s desire to further enhance and forge sustainable partnerships with its current and potential donor partners in progressing JNAP2 implementation toward a ‘Resilient Tonga by 2035.’

Hon. Tei said the first National Climate Change Donor Roundtable; started in 2012 and the second was held in October last year.

“It has only been 10 months since last year’s donor roundtable, and as was the case in 2018, and here today, Tonga’s Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 2018-2028 or just simply Tonga’s JNAP 2 – is the showpiece of this forum. The JNAP2 is considered Tonga’s ‘Flagship’ instrument for exercising implementation of national climate change priorities across all sectors and throughout all communities. The JNAP2 is viewed as the most viable entry point for all climate related assistance to Tonga.”

“This year’s roundtable will showcase how far we have progressed in the last 10 months; secondly it will present efforts currently underway, and thirdly and most importantly highlight the requisite changes and consequent assistance for safeguarding Tonga’s social, economic, and environmental aspirations through a climate resilient and low-emission development pathway.”

Tonga has recently updated numerous national climate change policy instruments in its drive to ensure we remain on par with our national, regional, and international obligations. These instruments include our NDC 2015, Climate Change Policy 2016, JNAP 2018-2028, and also our Third National Communication to be launched this Friday at the Climate Change Exhibition Day.

He also emphasized that these national policy instruments are not only intrinsic to each other, but are also fully aligned to and compliment both regional and international frameworks such as the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific [FRDP], the Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape, as well as the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, S.A.M.O.A Pathway, Sendai Framework, UNFCCC, and the SDGs to name a few.

“Testament to this, is the current drive by Pacific Countries [PICs] in their commitment on delivering more ambitious NDCs by 2020. It is clear that robust supporting mechanisms will be needed to ensure Pacific Island countries successfully meet current and future ramped-up NDC targets and as such, Tonga’s NDC 2015 centres on two main areas: 50% RE by 2020 and 70% by 2030, and to Double the number of Marine Protected Areas by 2030. Tonga was at 13% RE in 2016, and shall achieve 50% by 2020 via the ADB/GCF Tonga Renewable Energy Project [TREP].”

Tonga is now being put in the spotlight and being acknowledged as one of very few countries, which have included oceans-related activities in its NDC – Doubling MPAs by 2030. This signifies Tonga’s priority in driving forward the Oceans Pathway Partnership at COP23.

Hon. Tei told the gatherings that this platform will offer great insight into the mechanics of climate change in Tonga, and also allows for open and in-depth dialogue that will focus on potential opportunities, enhanced partnerships, and synergies toward the transformational change we have advocated in years past, 4by maximizing on investments in Tonga’s climate resilient – low carbon development future via JNAP 2.

CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Ma’u said the Climate Change Donor Roundtable 2019 again affords us the opportunity to work together in mapping a pathway leading to the enhanced resilience of our islands, our people, heritage, and culture which will culminate in ‘A Resilient Tonga by 2035.’

“This platform permits us with the prospect to present our efforts to date, and also to learn and where applicable apply lessons from those here today. Lessons, which provide a channel for communicating both individually, and in unison, the elements essential to further leverage and reinforce genuine partnerships and synergies, coupled with enhanced coordination, and cooperation.”

Attending the ceremony were Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Representatives from the Regional partners, Government CEOs, government officials and guests.

ENDS

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