Results for Pacific Islands

More than 80 teachers graduated from the government’s Tonga Institute of Education on 13 December in Nuku'alofa, with various qualifications to work in secondary, primary and early childhood teaching.

The Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project (TSRSP), worth around US$28.2 million, was launched on Friday by Prime Minister, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku in Nuku’alofa.

The working relationship between the Tongan Parliament and Government became stranded as members of parliament engaged in a debate over a Petition from the Tonga National Construction Inc., urging Parliament to increase the budget estimation provided by the government’s Project Management Unit for the Tsunami House Reconstruction Project. The House thought they were running out of time as they were expecting to close their session on 8 December, but that was not to be. From the House by Pesi Fonua

Alcohol misuse has contributed to several road deaths in Tonga. Now, new alcohol breathalyzer devices presented to Tonga Police in December will help frontline officers to detect and remove more drunk drivers and maintain safety on roads.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Sanaka Samarasinha, based in Fiji and visiting Nuku'alofa this week, said he held productive discussions with the Tonga Government regarding current and future UN programs.

Tonga is among 14 island nations taking part in the ISLANDS Pacific Project - the largest funded anti-pollution project in the Pacific Islands, which deals with toxic chemicals and waste management.

Tonga is among 26 delegations attending the 19th Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), session in Da Nang, Vietnam, from 28 November to 3 December, where they will review its activities, and put forward policies and measures to manage tuna fishing in the region.

Tonga for the first time, attended the 2022 Korea International Cooperation Conference on Oceans and Fisheries (KICCOF), at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, Fiji, from 23-24 November.  

Kilisitina Moala from Tonga made an impression at the meeting of Commonwealth Youth Parliamentarians held in the Trinidad and Tobago parliament on 23 November, when she delivered “a weeping lament that her homeland was sinking”.