AGP Executive Report

Tuna and El Niño: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates across the Pacific through 2027, challenging fisheries management and island economies. Tonga is also among the countries forecast to receive less rainfall. Drought: Tonga has declared drought across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua, with Niuafo’ou under warning and Vava’u on alert. Authorities and aid groups are distributing water as dry conditions continue. Marine Protection: More than US$25 million in Bezos Earth Fund grants will support Pacific conservation, including new protected zones in Tonga, with a focus on humpback whales. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga has won a US$10,000 environmental award for locally led work, including rainwater cisterns, safer schools and water and sanitation projects.

El Niño and Fisheries: A strengthening El Niño is expected to shift Pacific tuna grounds and disrupt fishing into 2027, with reduced rainfall forecast for Tonga and other island nations. Drought: Tonga has declared drought across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua; Niuafo’ou remains under warning and Vava’u on alert. Officials say water is being distributed to communities and drought warnings will remain in place for three months. Marine Conservation: More than US$25 million in Bezos Earth Fund grants will support Pacific ocean protection, including new protected zones in Tonga aimed at safeguarding humpback whales. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won a US$10,000 international award for environmental work, including rainwater cisterns, sanitation projects and safer schools. Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister says the Pacific Resilience Facility is operational but still needs US$320 million to reach its minimum funding target.

Marine Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is allocating more than US$25 million to Pacific conservation, including new protected zones in Tonga aimed at safeguarding humpback whales. The funding spans more than 1.62 million square kilometres of ocean across five island nations. Drought: Tonga has declared drought across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua as strong El Niño conditions persist; Niuafo’ou remains under warning and Vava’u under alert. Officials say water support is being coordinated and impacts may continue after El Niño peaks. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga has won a US$10,000 global award for environmental work, including rainwater tanks, water and sanitation services, and safer schools. The funding will support further community-led projects. Tsunami Risk: A powerful earthquake off Panama prompted concern about waves reaching the Pacific, including Tonga. New Zealand authorities assessed the risk to their country as low; Tonga’s meteorological service had not issued a statement.

Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won a US$10,000 international award for environmental and climate work, including rainwater tanks, safer classrooms and locally led projects. Climate Finance: At Pre-COP31, Tonga’s Prime Minister said the Pacific Resilience Facility still needs US$320 million to reach its US$500 million target for community climate projects. Drought: Tonga’s meteorological service declared drought across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua as El Niño intensifies; Vava’u is on drought alert, with warnings expected to remain in place for three months. Tsunami Watch: A powerful earthquake off Panama raised concern about waves crossing the Pacific. New Zealand authorities assessed the risk to their country as low, while Tonga Met had yet to clarify any possible threat to the Kingdom.

Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga has won a US$10,000 international environmental award for community-led work, including rainwater cisterns, safe classrooms and water services. The funding will support further projects across the Kingdom. Tsunami Watch: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake off Panama raised questions about possible Pacific-wide tsunami effects. New Zealand authorities assessed the risk to their shores as low, while Tonga Met had yet to clarify any threat to Tonga. Drought: Tonga Met has declared drought across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Haʻapai and ʻEua as El Niño intensifies; Niuafoʻou remains under warning and Vavaʻu under alert. Officials say impacts may persist even after El Niño weakens. Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister says the Pacific Resilience Facility still needs US$320 million to reach its US$500 million target, limiting support for small, community-led projects. Loss and Damage: Former Tonga prime minister Huʻakavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni urged climate policy to recognise losses beyond money, including damage to culture, biodiversity, health and community ties.

Tsunami Risk: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake off Panama prompted Pacific-wide concern, but New Zealand authorities said the risk to their country appeared low. Tonga Meteorological Services had not yet clarified any threat to the Kingdom. Drought: Tonga has declared drought across its major islands as El Niño intensifies. Niuafo’ou remains on drought warning and Vava’u on alert; officials say below-average rain and impacts may persist even after El Niño fades. Community Action: Friends of Tonga won a global environmental stewardship award for backing locally chosen projects, including emergency food relief after the 2022 tsunami and improved access to water and safer classrooms. Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister says the Pacific Resilience Facility still needs US$320 million to reach its US$500 million minimum target, despite new pledges to fund community-led climate projects.

Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga has won a global environmental stewardship award for backing locally chosen projects, including emergency food relief, safer classrooms and improved water access. The nonprofit helped communities respond quickly after the 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami. Drought Alert: Tonga has declared drought across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua as strong El Niño conditions continue. Niuafo’ou remains under warning and Vava’u under alert; officials say below-average rainfall and drought impacts may persist for months. Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister says the Pacific Resilience Facility still needs US$320 million to reach its US$500 million target, funding intended to support small, community-led projects. Weather Preparedness: SPREP and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology have agreed to work together to strengthen weather and climate services for island communities.

Drought: Tonga has declared drought across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha‘apai and ‘Eua, with Niuafo‘ou under warning and Vava‘u on alert. El Niño remains strong, and MetService warns impacts could continue after the event; agencies are coordinating water support and public updates. Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister says the Pacific Resilience Facility still needs US$320 million to reach its US$500 million minimum, despite new pledges. The fund is intended to support small, community-led resilience projects. Loss and Damage: Former prime minister Siaosi Sovaleni says climate losses include culture, identity, biodiversity, health and community ties—not just financial costs—and calls for accessible funding and locally led solutions. Weather Services: SPREP and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology signed a partnership in Nuku‘alofa to strengthen weather, climate and hydrological services across both regions.

Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua says the Pacific Resilience Facility remains US$320 million short of its US$500 million target, despite new pledges ahead of COP31. The fund is meant to support small, community-led projects. Loss and Damage: Former prime minister Siaosi Sovaleni says climate losses include culture, identity, biodiversity, health and community ties—not just money—and calls for accessible, grant-based finance that reaches local communities. Disaster Readiness: A new US$15 million weather and disaster centre has been commissioned in Tongatapu. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund has pledged more than US$25 million for ocean conservation across five Pacific countries, including Tonga.

Loss and Damage: Tonga’s climate champion Siaosi Sovaleni told a Pacific symposium that climate losses include culture, identity, biodiversity, health and community ties—not just money. He called for accessible, predictable grant finance and locally led responses that recognise traditional knowledge. COP31 Priorities: Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua joined Pacific talks in Tuvalu and Fiji, where Tonga is pressing for stronger climate finance and practical resilience support. Tonga was also due to present its 2026–2035 climate plan, covering adaptation, low-emission development and loss and damage. Disaster Readiness: A new $15 million weather and disaster centre in Tongatapu brings forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings under one roof, strengthening services across the country. Ocean Protection: Tonga is among five Pacific nations included in more than $25 million in Bezos Earth Fund grants for ocean conservation, covering over 625,000 square miles of sea.

COP31 Priorities: Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua joined Pacific leaders at Pre-COP31 in Tuvalu and Fiji, pressing for climate finance and practical support for community resilience. Tonga was also due to launch its 2026–35 climate plan, covering adaptation, low-emissions development and loss and damage. Youth Climate Call: Young people from Tonga and across the Pacific urged Australia to turn climate commitments into action ahead of COP31. Ocean Protection: Tonga is among five Pacific nations sharing more than US$25 million in new Bezos Earth Fund grants for ocean conservation, supporting protection of over 625,000 square miles of ocean. Disaster Readiness: A new TOP$15 million weather and disaster centre in Tongatapu brings forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings under one roof, strengthening the country’s response to hazards and climate impacts.

Pre-COP31 Climate Push (Tuvalu/Fiji): Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua is in Tuvalu ahead of the Pacific Pre-COP31 talks, visiting the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project and setting up Tonga’s push for stronger climate finance and practical resilience support, including the launch of NDC 3.0 (2026–2035) as Tonga’s adaptation plan. Youth Demands Accountability: Young people from Australia, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Tonga urged Australia to “turn commitments into action” ahead of COP31, calling out fossil-fuel expansion and warning that ecosystems and species are already collapsing. Weather & Disaster Readiness for Tonga: Tonga commissioned a new $15m weather and disaster management centre in Tongatapu under the Pacific Resilience Program, bringing national forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings into one hub. Pacific Health Access Pressure: A Tongan dialysis patient in New Zealand is among overseas cases highlighting who pays for life-saving treatment, pointing to wider gaps in specialist care across the Pacific. Ocean Protection Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m+ in new ocean conservation grants across five Pacific nations, including Tonga, aiming to protect large areas of ocean as part of a broader push to safeguard nature and livelihoods. Climate Finance Gap: New analysis says Pacific adaptation needs far exceed current funding, with disbursements covering only about a quarter of what’s required.

Pre-COP31, Tonga’s climate push: Tonga’s PM Lord Fakafanua is in Tuvalu then heads to Fiji for Pre-COP31, with Tonga set to launch NDC 3.0 (2026–2035) and press for stronger climate finance and practical resilience support for Pacific communities. Pacific adaptation and “no weak deal”: Pacific leaders and ministers in Nadi and Tuvalu are urging negotiators to change course, with officials warning that a weak outcome is worse than no decision and tying just transition to real money. Tonga disaster readiness upgrade: Tonga commissioned a new $15m weather and disaster management centre in Tongatapu under the Pacific Resilience Program, bringing forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings under one roof. Ocean protection funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new ocean conservation grants across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, targeting protection of 30% of Pacific waters by 2030. Climate finance gap: New analysis says Pacific countries need about US$3.3b a year for adaptation, but current commitments cover only around a third—pushing more reliance on loans as disasters strain budgets. Regional energy support: Australia backed Pacific renewables rollout with a $7.29m package, including grid modelling support and a new agreement with Vanuatu to strengthen renewable energy transition and workforce capacity.

Pre-COP31 diplomacy: Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua is among Pacific leaders heading to the Pre-COP31 talks in Fiji and Tuvalu, as Australia and partners try to keep global attention on Pacific climate priorities ahead of COP31. Community climate voices: In Fiji, villagers and civil society groups are taking lived climate impacts to Pre-COP31, pushing for relocation realities and stronger community say in negotiations. Tonga disaster readiness: Tonga commissioned a new $15m weather and disaster management centre in Tongatapu under the Pacific Resilience Program, bringing forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings into one national hub. Pacific climate finance pressure: Pacific officials warn Pre-COP outcomes will be “weak” unless negotiators link just transition to real money, while new analysis says adaptation funding still falls far short of needs. Ocean protection funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new ocean conservation grants across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, targeting protection and management of 625,000+ sq miles of ocean. Weather services funding gap: SPREP-linked reporting says Pacific meteorology budgets are stretched, with observation networks declining unless governments back a 10-year weather-ready plan. Maritime security: Australia and partners ran Operation Nasse to deter illegal fishing and improve Pacific fisheries enforcement coordination, including Tonga participation.

Pre-COP31 Climate Diplomacy: Tonga’s PM Matthew Wale is in Nadi, Fiji for the Pre-COP31 High-Level Meeting, pushing for stronger climate finance and clearer recognition of Pacific priorities ahead of COP31, with leaders also set to travel to Tuvalu for the leaders’ programme. Pacific Energy Security: Australia announced a $7.29m package to strengthen Pacific energy sovereignty, including support for renewables grid modelling and a new agreement with Vanuatu to accelerate its renewable transition. Tonga Disaster Readiness: Tonga commissioned a new $15m weather and disaster management centre in Tongatapu under the Pacific Resilience Program, bringing forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings into one national hub. Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund is committing more than $25m to ocean conservation across Tonga and four other Pacific island nations, targeting protection of over 625,000 square miles of ocean. Climate Adaptation Finance Gap: New analysis says Pacific countries need about US$3.3b a year for climate adaptation, but current funding covers only around a third—worsening debt pressure as finance shifts from grants to lending. Weather Services Under Strain: Pacific meteorological leaders warn that tight budgets and declining observation networks threaten cyclone warnings and forecasting, even as the region seeks support for a 10-year upgrade plan. Seabed Mining Rules Fight: A legal dispute involving Tonga and Nauru-linked seabed mining highlights how companies are pushing to shape seabed-mining rules while challenging the International Seabed Authority.

COP31 Climate Push: Tonga’s PM Matthew Wale heads to Fiji for Pre-COP31, urging stronger climate finance and that Pacific priorities are reflected in global decisions. Community Voices at Negotiations: In Nadi, Pacific communities are taking “climate realities” to the talks, with villagers and social-service groups pushing relocation and lived impacts into the spotlight. Weather & Disaster Readiness: Tonga commissioned a new $15m weather and disaster management centre in Tongatapu under the Pacific Resilience Program, aiming to strengthen national forecasting, emergency communications and early warnings for ocean, hydrometeorological and geological hazards. Pacific Adaptation Funding Gap: New analysis says Pacific countries need about US$3.3b a year for climate adaptation, but current finance covers only around a third—often leaving governments squeezed by debt and shifting from grants to loans. Ocean Protection Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new ocean conservation grants across Tonga and four other Pacific island nations, supporting protection efforts over 625,000+ square miles and work tied to high-seas protection under the UN treaty. Seabed Mining Rules Fight: A legal dispute involving Tonga and Nauru highlights how seabed-mining competition is also a fight over who gets to set the rules. Tsunami Preparedness (Samoa): Seventeen villages were recognised for tsunami readiness ahead of the 2009 Samoa disaster anniversary, reinforcing the value of local evacuation planning and awareness.