AGP Executive Report
Last update: 4 hours agoInfrastructure & Climate Resilience: Tonga’s long-awaited Fangaʻuta Lagoon bridge is still stalled after unresolved land and compensation disputes at ʻUmukisia, with the government facing penalty fees of millions of paʻanga to McConnell Dowell while the southern end remains ready. Climate Risk: Tonga has declared El Niño conditions in force, warning of below-average rainfall, drought risk across island groups, marine heatwaves and coral bleaching, plus a more active cyclone season; drought alerts are already out for Ha’apai and others. Ocean Governance: Tonga says it has made progress on ocean stewardship, including Ocean7 coordination and a new Ocean Management Act 2025, as it shares reforms with Australia at an ocean business summit. Fisheries Policy: Tonga submitted its first-ever fisheries subsidy notification to the WTO’s Fish Fund, aiming to close legal and policy gaps for compliance and improve fisheries reporting capacity. Biodiversity & Research: New deep-sea footage has recorded goblin sharks alive in the Tonga Trench, extending known range and depth for the “living fossil” species. Regional Security & Disaster Readiness: Tonga participated in Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 26 and the MARARA 26 exercise, focused on interoperability for humanitarian and disaster response. Public Health (Regional): A travel-related dengue case was reported on Oʻahu, with officials urging mosquito control by removing standing water.
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