Mr Sean Callahan, USAID Deputy Mission Director for the Pacific Islands and Mongolia, said climate change is a big issue and has a big impact on Tonga and across the Pacific.

He said this course provides participants with skills important to monitor, evaulate, budget and resource projects undertaken to address climate change.

In addition, this certification is important to access climate financing for NGOs, countries and regional organizations and do what they need to do to address climate change.

“USAID believes in what we call the journey of being self-reliant. We’re all global citizens. We have to figure this all out, things are changing very fast. How are we going to handle all this from rising water, rising temperatures, more cyclones, more droughts to more powerful typhoons?” he said.

Paula Ma’u, MEIDECC CEO said the USAID Climate Project implemented in 12 Pacific Islands, including Tonga, is designed to assist governments prioritise areas of support that align with its own climate adaptation plans and goals such as Tonga's Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 2018-19. This includes drafting climate change laws, policies and regulations. It has a capacity building focus.

The training in partnership with the University of the South Pacific/Pacific TAFE and the Ministry of MEIDECC was held from March to September 2018.

Hon Poasi Tei Minister for MEIDECC with the Coordinator Pacific TAFE Lofan Tupou, and Peace Corps Tonga Country Director Nancy Gehron, attended the event.