The governments of the world have agreed on a declaration at the Dubai Cop28 climate summit that has been both hailed as historic and dismissed as weak. The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) closed with an agreement that signals the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition, underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance.The negotiators from nearly 200 parties agreed to climate action before the end of the decade – with the overarching aim to keep the global temperature limit of 1.5°C within reach.“Whilst we didn’t…
Author: Newsdesk
The Lulutai Saab 340 aircraft slid off the taxiway at the Fua’amotu Domestic Airport with a full load of passengers, early Friday afternoon, hitting a low concrete wall, after it aborted landing at the Lupepau’u Airport in Vava’u. No one was injured in what was less than a normal landing even though it is reported the passengers were traumatised. The 34-seater aircraft, A3-PUA departed Fua’amotu Airport for Vava’u, but due to what was called a “technical problem with hydraulics”, the plane could not land, and it turned back to Tongatapu. A passenger on the flight said that after they boarded…
Tonga’s Prime Minister Honorable Hu’akavameiliku at a High level segment at COP28 introduced the groundbreaking “BRACE” project, earmarking USD 70 million to fortify the education sector against climate change impacts. In a compelling address, the Prime Minister underscored the Global Education Crisis, emphasizing the imminent risk of disrupted education for nearly one billion children due to climate change. Highlighting the vulnerability of the education sector to climate risks, a critical aspect often overlooked in climate discussions, the Prime Minister detailed the key elements of the USD 70 million BRACE project. The initiative aims to construct climate-resilient schools, with an initial…
After 55 years of teaching, a big question facing the University of the South Pacific (USP) is whether it might be time for more than just simple reforms, but for closing it down. When it was founded at an old New Zealand air force base in Fiji in 1968, the concept of regional universities was greatly favoured by aid donors. They were not necessarily useful for the recipient countries who made up the membership of each regional group. Pointedly the leadership of countries like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga went to universities in Australia and New Zealand. USP’s current problems were sparked by…
The Sol2023 Pacific Games concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony at Honiara’s National Stadium on Saturday night, marking the end of a two-week sporting extravaganza featuring 24 Pacific nations. The Games saw more than 5,000 athletes compete in 24 sports that witnessed New Caledonia top the medal tally with an impressive 82 gold medals. New Caledonia was also the champion of the 2019 Pacific Games. The closing ceremony commenced with the Games’ thousands of volunteers parading around the National Stadium. This special moment was dedicated to celebrating the volunteers who played a crucial role in the Games’ success, garnering cheers…
Nature, people, lives and livelihoods must be at the heart of climate action. That was the message from the King of Tonga, His Majesty King Tupou VI, to world leaders and delegates at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) in Dubai, UAE. His Majesty King Tupou VI was the first Pacific leader to address the High-Level plenary at the World Climate Action Summit at COP28 and reminded the meeting about the lived reality of the climate crisis for Pacific countries. “The far-reaching impacts of climate change and disasters on human…
Fifty years of service in Tonga by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was celebrated on 23 November in an event in which the Deputy Prime Minister, Samiu Vaipulu, and the Japanese Ambassador HE Mr. Kensaku Munenaga were representing their respective countries. JICA is also known as Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). There are four volunteers currently serving in Tonga but 568 volunteers have served in Tonga over the past 50 years. Mr. Vaipulu acknowledged that JOCV had made significant contributions at the grassroots level in Tonga. Ms. Katsura Miyasaki, Senior Vice President of JICA spoke about Japan’s contribution to…
Tonga has won its first gold at the Pacific Games in Honiara on Friday when Salote Alexis Vakasiuola, aged 16, took the gold for the women’s golf. Of the four rounds of gold, Alexis was able to win the gold by 10 strokes from the runner-up. Not only is this Tonga’s first gold at the Honiara Pacific Games, but it is the first gold it has ever won in the sport of golf at the Games. Alexis lives in the United States but was able to represent Tonga at the golf event. The win has become such an inspiration to…
Tonga High School’s Head Girl, Molipala ‘o Pangai Finau, was named Dux for the 2023 academic year, at the government secondary school’s prize giving ceremony, held at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, on Friday 24 November. Molipala took the awards of top student in her Form 7 class and Dux, with three different trophies, cash prizes worth over $3,000 pa’anga and a scholarship from the New Zealand High Commission to study in New Zealand. She was also the recipient of the King Tupou VI Coronation Prize, presented to her by the Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand, Leitu Sa. In…
Four participants of the Tonga cohort of the 2023 Pacific Greenpreneurs Program graduated today, marking a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journey and showcasing the positive impact of the program on green enterprise development in the Pacific region. Two recipients were awarded total funds of USD$55,000 (approximately TOP $130,000). The event was held at the Davina House in Ma’ufanga, and brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from the private sector, and fellow Pacific Greenpreneurs. Government Applauds PGEN’s Contributions Ms. Lorraine Kauhenga, Deputy CEO for the Ministry of Trade & Economic Development’s Trade Negotiation & Policy Division, was the…