Tonga and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have collaborated on a new flagship initiative, the Tonga Sustainable Economic Corridors and Urban Resilience Enhancement (Tonga SECURE) project, focusing on economic corridors and climate resilience for Tongatapu.

An ADB mission team, led by the Regional Director of ADB's Pacific Subregional Office, Aaron Batten, and the Regional Directors of the Transport and WUD sector offices, Chen Chen, and Neeta Pokhrel, met with Prime Minister Hon. Dr ʻAisake Eke, Cabinet members, and heads of agencies in Nuku’alofa from 31 March to 5 April.

ADB stated that discussions during this mission centered on the proposed Tonga SECURE project, which aims to enhance climate and disaster resilience in Nukuʻalofa by integrating climate and disaster risk-informed planning and adaptive solutions. The project seeks to decrease vulnerability to flooding and other potential shocks and stresses.

Tonga SECURE also aims to reduce congestion, improve connectivity to essential infrastructure including the airport and the port, promote climate-informed urban development, and establish secure evacuation routes for use during disaster events.