AGP Executive Report

Tuna Management: Pacific fisheries members will push for a new bigeye tuna measure at WCPFC23, covering both purse seine and longline fishing for a stock that accounts for about 40% of global catches. Whale Watching: Tonga has warned operators over apparent rule breaches, including tourists touching whales and diving—both prohibited—amid concerns that growing tours could harm the whale population. Drought Response: Five insurance payouts have helped fund Tonga’s response to prolonged El Niño-driven dry conditions across the Niuas, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and Tongatapu. The Lands Minister has also urged water conservation as supplies come under pressure. Coastal Protection: Community-backed designs for coastal works in Nukuleka–Talafo’ou and Manuka–Kolonga have been endorsed, advancing plans to protect shorelines and livelihoods. Climate Finance: A proposed Pacific fund backed by US$15 million from the Green Climate Fund will support climate-focused businesses in Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu, including in sustainable fisheries, recycling and regenerative agriculture. Seabed Mining: Tonga Offshore Mining’s legal dispute with the International Seabed Authority highlights the tension between contractors’ procedural rights and public accountability over deep-sea resources.

Whale Tourism: Videos appear to show whale-watching operators in Tonga letting tourists touch humpbacks and dive with them, although diving is prohibited. Officials say several operators have been warned as concerns grow about pressure on the whales and the industry’s sustainability. Drought Alert: Tonga’s lands minister is urging water conservation as Super El Niño and prolonged drought threaten supplies, crops and public health. Forecasters warn the Pacific event could strengthen into 2027. Coastal Protection: Tonga has endorsed proposed coastal protection designs for Nukuleka–Talafo’ou and Manuka–Kolonga after community consultations, advancing work to protect shorelines and local livelihoods. Nature and Climate Finance: A rat-eradication effort on Vava’u has helped the native Tongan Whistler return to Mount Talau’s forest. Separately, a Green Climate Fund-backed Pacific investment fund aims to support local businesses in Tonga and two other countries working on reef protection and climate-resilient livelihoods.

Climate solutions: Tongan representatives joined Pacific peers at a Fiji farm exchange on sustaining climate adaptation through organic farming, forestry and conservation. Drought warning: Tonga’s Lands Minister urged water conservation as prolonged drought and a strengthening El Niño threaten supplies, crops and public health into 2027. Resilience funding: Tonga is among 14 nations covered by a US$250 million climate grant for resilient infrastructure and essential services. A separate US$15 million investment will help finance Pacific businesses in sustainable fisheries, recycling and regenerative agriculture, including in Tonga. Coastal protection: Designs for shoreline protection in Nukuleka–Talafo’ou and Manuka–Kolonga have been endorsed after community consultations, advancing work to address erosion, rising seas and extreme weather. Nature recovery: A decade-long rat eradication effort on Vava’u has helped the native Tongan Whistler return to Mount Talau’s lowland forest.

Climate Solutions: Tongan representatives joined peers from six other Pacific nations at a Fiji farm exchange, sharing ways to sustain community-led climate work through organic farming, forestry and conservation. Drought Alert: Tonga’s Lands Minister urged households to conserve water as prolonged drought and Super El Niño threaten supplies, crops and public health. Coastal Protection: Designs for resilience work along the Nukuleka–Talafo’ou and Manuka–Kolonga coasts have been endorsed after community consultations, advancing plans to address erosion, rising seas and extreme weather. Climate Finance: A US$15 million Green Climate Fund investment will help launch a US$60 million fund for climate-focused businesses in Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu, including projects in recycling, regenerative agriculture and sustainable fisheries. Tonga is also among 14 countries covered by a separate US$250 million regional grant for climate-resilient infrastructure and essential services. Nature: Pacific conservation groups are seeking continued support for invasive-species eradication; in Tonga, rat removal has helped the native Tongan Whistler return to Vava’u’s Mount Talau forests.

Drought Alert: Tonga’s Lands Minister has urged people to conserve water as prolonged drought and Super El Niño threaten supplies, crops and public health. El Niño Watch: Pacific forecasters warn the event could become one of the strongest on record, bringing drier-than-usual conditions to parts of the region and worsening drought into 2027. Climate Funding: Tonga is among 14 Pacific countries covered by a US$250 million Green Climate Fund grant for climate-resilient infrastructure and essential services. A separate US$15 million investment will help fund Pacific businesses, including in Tonga, working on recycling, regenerative agriculture and sustainable fisheries. Coastal Protection: Proposed designs for shoreline protection in Nukuleka–Talafo’ou and Manuka–Kolonga have been endorsed after community consultations, advancing work to protect homes and livelihoods from erosion, rising seas and extreme weather. Wildlife Recovery: A decade-long rat eradication effort at Mount Talau on Vava’u has helped the native Tongan Whistler return to lowland forest.

Drought Alert: Tonga’s Lands Minister has urged people to conserve water as prolonged drought and Super El Niño threaten supplies, crops and health. Pacific forecasters warn conditions could strengthen into early 2027, bringing drier-than-normal weather to many countries. Climate Finance: A US$250 million Green Climate Fund grant will help 14 Pacific nations, including Tonga, strengthen infrastructure and essential services against climate risks. A separate US$15 million investment will help build a US$60 million fund for locally owned businesses in Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu, including sustainable fisheries, recycling and regenerative agriculture. Coastal Protection: Tonga’s coastal resilience project has advanced proposed protection plans for Nukuleka–Talafo’ou and Manuka–Kolonga after community consultations. Nature Recovery: A decade-long rat eradication effort on Vava’u has helped the native Tongan Whistler return to Mount Talau’s lowland forest.

Drought and Water: Tonga’s Lands Minister has urged people to conserve water as prolonged drought threatens supplies and crops. Regional forecasters warn El Niño could become one of the strongest on record, with drier-than-normal conditions expected across parts of the Pacific in coming months. Coastal Resilience: Communities helped shape proposed coastal protection designs for Nukuleka–Talafo’ou and Manuka–Kolonga, endorsed by Tonga’s JNAP Taskforce. The project aims to protect homes and livelihoods from rising seas, erosion and extreme weather. Nature Restoration: A decade-long rat eradication effort on Vava’u has helped the native Tongan Whistler return to Mount Talau’s lowland forest. Community Adaptation: Tonga’s Kiwa CIRCLE programme will support ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods, including mangrove regeneration and sustainable fisheries, in seven communities.

Coastal Resilience: Tonga’s coastal project has cleared a key step, with proposed protection designs for Nukuleka–Talafo’ou and Manuka–Kolonga endorsed after community consultations. The work aims to address rising seas, erosion and extreme weather while reflecting local priorities. Community-Led Adaptation: The Pacific CIRCLE Programme, launched in Tonga this month, will support seven communities with ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods, including mangrove regeneration and sustainable fisheries. Coastal Risk: The Asian Development Bank warns flooding could cause severe economic harm across the Pacific; Tonga is among the countries facing the region’s highest projected welfare losses. Nature Recovery: A decade-long rat eradication effort on Vava’u has helped the native Tongan Whistler return to Mount Talau’s lowland forest. Environmental Work Recognised: Friends of Tonga won an international stewardship award for climate resilience and clean-water projects, including 77 rainwater cisterns.

Biodiversity: Pacific advocates are seeking continued support for invasive-species eradication. In Tonga, a decade of rat control has helped the native Hengehenga return to Mount Talau forest on Vavaʻu. Rising Seas: A Commonwealth report finds sea levels around Tonga rising 7.3mm a year since 1993; about 84% of the population lives within a kilometre of the coast, leaving communities and infrastructure exposed. Community Resilience: Tonga’s Kiwa CIRCLE programme will work with seven communities on ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods, including mangrove regeneration and sustainable fisheries. Climate Action: Friends of Tonga won an international environmental award for work including 77 rainwater cisterns, adding about 770,000 litres of water storage across the country.

Island Biodiversity: A Pacific push to continue invasive-species eradication highlights Tonga’s success: after more than a decade of rat control, the Tongan Whistler has returned to native forest on Mount Talau, Vavaʻu. Community Resilience: Tonga’s Pacific CIRCLE programme will support ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods in seven communities, including mangrove regeneration and sustainable fisheries. Rising Seas: A Commonwealth report says sea levels around Tonga have risen by 7.3 millimetres a year since 1993; about 84% of the population lives within one kilometre of the coast. An ADB assessment also includes Nukuʻalofa among coastal cities facing growing flood risks. Local Action: Friends of Tonga won an international environmental award for work including 77 rainwater cisterns and climate-resilient kindergartens.

Climate Leadership: Pacific women are already managing water, food and care through climate shocks, argue regional leaders, who say COP31 must give them more resources and decision-making power. Community Resilience: Tonga’s Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE programme will support ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods, including mangrove regeneration and sustainable fisheries, through a 3.5-year, €4.8 million regional initiative. Rising Seas: A Commonwealth report says sea levels around Tonga have risen 7.3mm a year since 1993; about 84% of the population lives within one kilometre of the coast. Local Action: Friends of Tonga won an international environmental award for its resilience work, including 77 rainwater cisterns holding about 770,000 litres and support for climate-resilient kindergartens. Regional Investment: The ADB’s new five-year Pacific strategy includes Tonga, with priorities spanning climate-resilient infrastructure, essential services and economic opportunities.

Pacific Resilience: ADB’s new five-year strategy includes Tonga, with priorities spanning climate-resilient infrastructure, essential services and economic opportunity, tailored to the needs of island countries. Community Action: Tonga’s Kiwa CIRCLE programme will work with seven communities on mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries and resilient livelihoods; the country’s share is about €500,000. Rising Seas: A Commonwealth report says sea levels around Tonga have risen by 7.3mm a year since 1993, while about 84% of the population lives within a kilometre of the coast. Environmental Stewardship: Friends of Tonga won an international award for climate resilience and clean-water work, including 77 rainwater cisterns, and received US$10,000 for further initiatives.

Community Resilience: Tonga’s Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE Programme will work with seven communities on ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods, including mangrove regeneration and sustainable fisheries. The 3.5-year initiative has allocated about €500,000 to Tonga. Clean Energy: US startup Endurance Energy plans to deploy up to six undersea geothermal generators off Tonga in 2027, potentially reducing reliance on imported diesel. Its recent ocean-floor test was brief; the company says it monitored marine life and water quality. Rising Seas: A Commonwealth report says sea levels around Tonga have risen by 7.3 millimetres a year since 1993, while about 84% of the population lives within one kilometre of the coast. An ADB report also warns coastal flooding could bring major economic losses to Pacific nations without stronger adaptation. Local Environmental Work: Friends of Tonga won an international stewardship award for climate resilience and clean-water projects, including 77 rainwater cisterns storing about 770,000 litres.

Climate Adaptation: Tonga Community Development Trust has launched a 3.5-year Kiwa programme, with €500,000 for work in seven communities on mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries and resilient livelihoods. Environmental Leadership: Friends of Tonga won an international stewardship award for its climate and clean-water work, including 77 rainwater cisterns holding about 770,000 litres. Coastal Risk: A Commonwealth report says sea levels around Tonga have risen 7.3 millimetres a year since 1993, and about 84% of Tongans live within a kilometre of the coast. The ADB warns that coastal flooding could bring Tonga welfare losses equal to 2.6% of GDP. Nature-based Solutions: Tongan practitioners joined a Pacific learning exchange in Fiji on embedding nature-based solutions in community agriculture, forestry and conservation. Clean Energy: A US startup plans to deploy up to six undersea geothermal generators off Tonga in 2027, potentially reducing reliance on imported diesel.

Climate Resilience: Tonga’s Kiwa Pacific CIRCLE Programme will fund work in seven communities on mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries and resilient livelihoods. The 3.5-year regional project has allocated about €500,000 to Tonga. Coastal Risks: A Commonwealth report says sea levels around Tonga have risen 7.3mm a year since 1993, while about 84% of the population lives within one kilometre of the coast. The ADB warns coastal flooding could cause severe economic losses across the Pacific without stronger adaptation. Community Action: Friends of Tonga won an international environmental award for work including 77 rainwater cisterns, which together provide about 770,000 litres of storage. Clean Energy: Endurance Energy plans to deploy subsea geothermal generators off Tonga in 2027, but its recent Oregon prototype produced net power for only 8.7 seconds.

Nature-Based Solutions: Tongan practitioners joined a Pacific learning exchange at an organic farm in Fiji, sharing ways to build lasting community-led approaches to agriculture, forestry and conservation. Rising Seas: A Commonwealth report says sea levels around Tonga have risen by an average 7.3mm a year since 1993; about 84% of the population lives within one kilometre of the coast. Coastal Flood Risk: The Asian Development Bank warns that Tonga faces among the region’s highest welfare losses from coastal flooding, at an estimated 2.6%. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won an international environmental award for work including 77 rainwater cisterns, providing about 770,000 litres of storage, and support for climate-resilient kindergartens. Clean Energy: US company Endurance Energy is planning subsea geothermal generators off Tonga in 2027, aiming to reduce reliance on imported diesel; the technology is still at an early testing stage.