Results for Press Releases

Tonga Power announced that The new electricity tariff for the Kingdom of Tonga will decrease by a total of 4.72 seniti to 93.28 seniti per kWh for electricity consumed in September on all four island networks. The new electricity tariff is effective from the meter readings taken as at the 1st of October 2011.

Leaders of the movement to eradicate anti-personnel mines have welcomed the island nation of Tuvalu as the 157th state to join the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention. Tuvalu's accession was made official when it appeared in the United Nations Journal on 22 September. - Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

Tonga will have a census in 63 days time, in November. Census is important as it provides the government, communities, businesses, churches, schools, academics and many other organisations with statistics which helps to accurately inform and plan public services. – Statistics Department.

Aiming to raise awareness about deforestation issues in the Pacific Islands in the International Year of Forests 2011,the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Land Resource Division is organising a three-day technical meeting for senior forestry officials and partners in the region to discuss emerging issues, opportunities and possible ways forward for forestry in the Pacific.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) will set up a sub-regional office in Tonga to cater for climate change and the environment.

In a join statement, yesterday Pacific Islands Forum leaders and the Secretary-General of the United Nations stressed that climate change and ocean acidification remained the greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific; and reaffirmed the need for urgent international action to reduce emissions, following the the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Governance and Legal Committee of the International Renewable Energy Agency or IRENA, concluded its first ever meeting last Thursday 25th August, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Tonga is currently the Chair of the GLC Committee, and leading Tonga's delegation is the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mahe 'Uli'uli Tupouniua, and includes the Communications Advisor to the Prime Minister, 'Ahongalu Fusimalohi, and the Prime Minister's Special Advisor, 'Akauola. – PMO.

Deputy Secretary Nides thanked the King for Tonga’s support of the international community in Afghanistan through the deployment of the Royal Tongan Marines. The United States applauds Tonga for its move to a more full democracy through its first popular majority parliament in elections last year and its ongoing development of an active and vibrant civil society. – US Department of State.

On August 13, police broke up a regular meeting of the Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) after revoking its permit to assemble. The move follows the recent arrest of FTUC President Daniel Urai and Mr. Goundar, a union official, for meeting with members to prepare for collective bargaining. – ITUC Press.