The Government of Tonga showcased a decade of game‑changing reforms that have modernised whole‑of‑government ocean governance and strengthened long‑term, sustainable management of 100 percent of its ocean estate during the Australia–Pacific Ocean Business Leaders Summit held on 11–12 June.
At the Summit, Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Chief Executive Officer Sione 'Akauola outlined Tonga’s progress through Ocean7, the national coordination mechanism established by Cabinet decision in 2015 to bring together all ocean‑related ministries and agencies for unified policy, planning and decision‑making. He highlighted the Ocean Management Act 2025 and the forthcoming National Ocean Policy. He emphasised that “the ocean is not what separates us, it is what binds us,” underscoring the deep partnership between Tonga and Australia.
Tonga welcomes Australia’s announcement of new national measures, including the establishment of a cross‑sectoral advisory group and a National Ocean Steering Committee. Announcing the reforms, Australia’s Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said Australia was “strengthening national coordination to ensure our ocean governance keeps pace with emerging challenges and opportunities.”
During the expert panel on 100% Sustainable Ocean Management, Dr. Fononga Vainga Mangisi‑Mafile’o, Senior Advisor for Integrated Ocean Governance, outlined Tonga’s approach to strengthening integrated ocean governance. She noted that Tonga was first invited to present its ocean governance reforms at the inaugural Summit in Sydney in 2024, where Pacific perspectives on long‑term planning and values‑based decision‑making helped shape early regional dialogue. She highlighted the importance of anticipatory governance to ensure institutions can respond to emerging pressures and long‑term challenges.
“We are pleased to see this kind of governance reform gaining momentum across the region, reflecting a growing commitment to more integrated and future‑focused ocean governance,” she explained.
Mangisi-Mafileo also outlined Tonga’s next phase of work through the Ecosystem Valuation Assessment Framework (EVAF) and tools, which will strengthen national understanding of ecological, cultural, social and economic values and support transparent, balanced and sustainable decision‑making.
Tonga also underscored the importance of the ocean‑climate nexus, noting that strengthened governance and coordinated regional action are essential to addressing the interconnected challenges shaping Pacific futures.
The 2-day Summit was convened by Ocean Decade Australia, and Partners.
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