Tonga faces continual challenges and is extremely vulnerable to the existential threat of climate change and climate disasters, the Minister for Foreign Affairs told Commonwealth counterparts in Canada yesterday. “We must urgently invest in more disaster risk preparedness,” Hon. Fekita 'Utoikamanu told the CPA Small Branches Network.
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Results for Pacific Islands
Tuesday 23 August 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Tuesday 23 August 2022
Neiafu, Vava'u
A team of scientists is undertaking coastal marine surveys in Tongan waters to evaluate impacts to coral reefs and fisheries following the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai eruption in January 2022. Special Management Areas (SMAs) and aquaculture areas are of prime concern. With support from the Waitt Institute, the research vessel, “Plan b”, will arrive in Tongatapu today, 23 August, and conducting surveys until 5 September.
Friday 19 August 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Essential maintenance on Tonga's tide and tsunami station and global navigation satellite system is being conducted by a team from the Australian Government funded Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific, in Nuku'alofa.
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Thursday 18 August 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Hon. Nanaia Mahuta this afternoon reaffirmed New Zealand as Tonga's long standing partner and promised to deliver a Pacific Resilience Climate Change speech updating their climate finance strategy tomorrow at Fangaloto. The New Zealand Foreign Minister told reporters that her lunch with the King Tupou VI at the Royal Palace in 'Eua today was very warm and very hospitable.
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Saturday 6 August 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The United States does not ask any nation to choose between the United States and China, the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy R. Sherman, said in Tonga this afternoon, while expressing disappointment that China had decided to cancel and suspend various relations with the US yesterday, including climate change talks. “For Tonga climate change is existential, and we understand that, and it's just terribly disappointing that the world's largest emitter right now, and a country who must be engaged, for us to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius, has now withdrawn from that discussion, that should be a big concern to all of us.” By Mary Lyn Fonua.
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Thursday 4 August 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, HE Wendy R. Sherman will arrive in Tonga on Friday, 5 August, during a Pacific trip to reflect the United States' commitment to the region. She is expected to meet King Tupou VI in Nuku'alofa.
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Thursday 28 July 2022
Matatoa-Tofoa, Tonga
Tonga Power Ltd. is grateful for the emergency aid assets to support recovery of Tonga's distribution network, which were handed over by the Australian Government this week. This is in response to the requests for assistance after the electricity grid in the coastal areas of Tongatapu was heavily affected by the tsunami in January, during the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano.
Wednesday 27 July 2022
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Queensland, Australia
A new initiative 'Ocean Rise Rugby' aimed to improve inclusion and empowerment of girls and women in the sport was launched on 23 July, at the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
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Sunday 24 July 2022
Brisbane, Australia
Tonga has qualified for their eighth consecutive Rugby World Cup after a dominant 44-22 win against Hong Kong in the Asia/Pacific Play-off at the Sunshine Coast Stadium. Tonga join Pool B of Rugby World Cup 2023 alongside Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Romania
Saturday 23 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's borders will open on 1 August, with the number of weekly flights increasing slowly over the next two months, the Tonga Government announced last night. Adults must prove they are vaccinated for COVID-19 (unless exempted) with at least two doses, and all passengers must have a supervised negative rapid antigen test (RAT) before departure.
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Friday 22 July 2022
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Wellington, New Zealand
The New Zealand Defence Force will support Pacific Island partners through a range of maritime security and other support in the next three months, NZ Minister of Defence Peeni Henare announced today. The NZDF, MFAT and Ministry for Primary Industries are partnering with defence and fisheries officials in Tonga and other PI countries.
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Thursday 21 July 2022
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Suva, Fiji
Mataliki, Tonga’s National Football Women’s team has advanced into the quarter-finals of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 in Suva. This was after a 0-0 draw between Tahiti and Vanuatu on 20 July.
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Thursday 21 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
HM Queen Nanasipau'u received a donation of $20,700 for her post-tsunami charity work, in Tonga, presented by Robina Nakao CEO of Fexco Tonga Ltd. at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa on 19 July. The donation will support the distribution operations of the charity.
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Friday 15 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Government has today handed back bookings to airlines and travel agents "Starting tomorrow, services will be provided commercially by airlines and travel agents," said MEIDECC CEO, Paula Ma’u. Tonga is moving toward an incremental border re-opening, with zero MIQ for incoming passengers starting in August.
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Wednesday 13 July 2022
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Beijing, China
Ten Tongan students have completed their studies from various universities in China in the past academic year. The Embassy of Tonga in China said today, with the global pandemic around the world, these students persevered and navigated through online classes, lockdowns and many other challenges, in addition to being away from home.
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Tuesday 12 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga Red Cross received a donation of $10,000 pa’anga from the Bank South Pacific to assist in its recovery programs, after the natural disasters of 15 January. BSP Tonga-Country Head Marcellina Wolfgramm Ha'apai presented the cheque to Tonga Red Cross Secretary-General, Sione Taumoefolau on 11 July to mark the bank's 7th anniversary in Tonga.
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Monday 11 July 2022
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Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Fiji this Tuesday to Thursday, the first time Pacific leaders have met face to face since 2019 and coming at a crucial time for the region. Ardern will participate in a range of meetings throughout the week, culminating in the traditional leaders’ retreat. She will hold bilateral meetings with a number of Pacific leaders and make announcements on climate and aid projects.
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Thursday 7 July 2022
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Melbourne, Australia
Lord Fakanua, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga is attending the 51st Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference in Melbourne, from July 4-8, where he will present a speech on 'Parliament’s engagement with the community in Tonga'. The annual conference has not been held since 2019, due to the COVID pandemic.
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Monday 4 July 2022
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Washington D.C., U.S.A
Additional financing from the World Bank will strengthen Tonga’s resilience to future disasters and climate-related emergencies. The board has approved US$19.5 million (approximately TOP46 million) in additional funding for disaster recovery and resilience projects in Tonga. Since 2018, multiple disasters including Gita, Harold and Hunga, have caused an estimated US$457 million in damages and loss for Tonga.
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Friday 24 June 2022
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Kigali, Rwanda
Tonga in affirming its support to the Commonwealth's Call to Action On Living Lands called for increased global funding and investment towards land and other nature-based actions, within the context of a post COVID-19 recovery.
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