Results for Pacific Islands

Aquaculture equipment from Japan, including diving computers, underwater cameras and tally counters, was handed over to the Ministry of Fisheries to assist the fisheries sector in its recovery, after the natural disasters in Tonga on 15 January.

Eight Non-Resident Ambassadors in Tonga presented their credentials to King Tupou VI, at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa, during Diplomatic Week 5-9 December. It was the first in-person diplomatic ceremonies since the border opened after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) attending the Pacific SIDS Solutions Forum, in Apia, Samoa from 28-30 November, where they will address the disproportionate aftershocks experienced in the Pacific Islands, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises.

Tongan Constable Uluaki Havea (Tonga Police) and his dog Cricket, were among nine teams graduating from the Pacific Detector Dog Programme, in Trentham, New Zealand, on November 24 and will bring their skills home to protect Tonga's borders. Their specialised training was facilitated under a partnership between New Zealand Police, New Zealand Customs Service and Pacific border and police agencies.