by Tupou Vaipulu Jr.

Tongan students met the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni and her delegation, during a program to create climate change awareness, held at the Falemasiva Hall, Tailulu College, Tongatapu. This was after a NZ$30 million partnership to boost and accelerate climate action across the Pacific, was announced yesterday, 20 April.

Two youth climate activists, Kilisitina Moala and Siosiua Veikune joined Hon. Sepuloni on the stage, along with the CEO of the Ministry of Education, ‘Isikeli Oko.

Since Tonga is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, the four campaigned on the importance of standing up and voicing our struggles to the world. Both of the activists told their own stories about how they had contributed to the movement and encouraged the students and youth to do the same. 

Representative and faculties from several secondary schools also attended the event, including: 'Apifo’ou College, Tonga High School, Tonga College, Tupou College , Queen Salote College, Liahona High School, Beulah College, Takuilau College, St. Andrews 

Queen Salote students performed a ta’olunga at the event.

Pacific Partnership

Earlier yesterday morning, a NZ$30 million partnership was announced which aimed to boost and accelerate climate action across the Pacific, through a new partnership with the Pacific Community supporting its Climate Change Flagship program.

Hon. Sepuloni, who is also the Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region), announced the funding during a coastal replanting project by MEIDECC at Ha'atafu Beach, an area that was hit hard by the tsunami following the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption, on 15 January 2022

“Climate change knows no borders, it’s a global threat that requires global and collective action. We’re seeing, very clearly, the escalating impacts of climate change here and abroad, and it’s vital that we team up to accelerate action and build resilience, including in one of the world’s most vulnerable areas,” said Hon. Sepuloni.

“The Government is resolutely focused and acting with urgency, helping pave the way for evidence-based climate action, and collaborating to turn the tide of climate change.
“We are in and of the Pacific, and this partnership with SPC underlines our Pacific-led approach to solving the challenges that our region face, the most pressing among them being climate change.  

“This boost to SPC’s Climate Change Flagship will support it to expand and intensify its climate work, and scale up its technical and scientific support to Pacific countries and territories, speeding up climate action across multiple sectors and making it easier for our Pacific partners to access urgently needed climate finance."