King at UN highlights Tonga’s actions to tackle climate change [1]
Monday, September 25, 2017 - 19:31. Updated on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 - 10:02.
King Tupou VI highlighted sustainable development as critical to tackling climate change, in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on 22 September.
Focusing on sustainable energy, the King said that earlier this year, the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) was established, which will strengthen regional and international cooperation and contribute towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“The Centre provides valuable support to Pacific Island countries and territories towards progressing their respective priorities and commitments for achieving sustainable energy and contributing to SDGs 7, 9 and 13.”
He said that easy access to “modern and clean sustainable energy services, energy efficiency,” and using environmentally friendly and cost effective sound technology and research “play a critical role” in sustainable development.
“Mitigation efforts are also essential to overcome the challenges of excess dependence on imported fossil fuels.”
In addition, Tonga has also established a National Monitoring Mechanism with the support of the United Nations Development Programme.
With regards to SDG 14 on the ocean and its resources, King Tupou VI said whaling was banned in Tongan waters in 1978 by Royal Decree by the Late King Tupou IV.
“This was reaffirmed during the April 2017 International Conference on Whales in a Changing Ocean we were honored to host.”
He called for strong political will to enable a whole of government approach in mainstreaming ocean related actions.
“We have, and continue to, experience the negative impacts of ocean degradation to our livelihoods and culture due to the anthropogenic activities and inter-related devastating effects of climate change,” said King Tupou VI.
“We may be a Small Island State but all SIDS are large Ocean States.”
He said “for us and our people” it is important to successfully implement SDG 14 as a pathway towards sustainable development and it would help to achieve “other goals such as those related to food security, water and sanitation, health, economic growth, and sustainable production and consumption”.
“Sustainable development is possible where there is peace and security and sustainable development is key to peace and security.”
"We appeal for a speedy resolution to the current tensions in the Korean Peninsula that is affecting Global Peace and Security."
King Tupou VI has previously addressed the United Nations General Assembly at the 68th and 69th session of the general debate.