The Finance Minister, Sivoki Lavemaau, has held a series of meetings with international partners in New York, focusing on climate financing, economic resilience, education and regional cooperation.
The engagements took place from 21 to 25 September during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with the Ministry of Finance highlighting efforts to secure more accessible development funding and strengthen Tonga’s international partnerships.
According to the Ministry of Finance, discussions included potential cooperation with India on health, agriculture, information and communications technology, and capacity building, as well as energy and digital connectivity projects with the US Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Climate finance and resilience
Climate financing was a major focus, with Tonga participating in discussions on reducing borrowing costs, improving access to concessional funding and developing financial mechanisms to help vulnerable countries respond to climate-related disasters.
At the Fourth Climate Vulnerable Forum Leaders Meeting, Tonga supported initiatives including the Pacific Window and Lifeline Funding Mechanism, which aim to improve access to climate financing for vulnerable countries.
The Minister also took part in discussions on solar radiation modification and its potential implications for agriculture and food security, amid concerns about the impacts of a developing Super El Niño.
Education, data and natural resources
Lavemaau highlighted education as one of the Government’s largest budget investments, stressing the need for equitable access to quality learning, stronger links between skills and employment, and the preservation of Tongan values.
She also discussed the importance of reliable government data for fiscal planning, policymaking and disaster response, with Tonga participating as one of 10 pilot countries in the SDG Data Alliance.
At the Nature Summit, the Minister presented Tonga’s emerging approach to recognising natural capital in government financial reporting, including consideration of international public-sector accounting standards.
New York mission office repairs
During the visit, Lavemaau and the Minister for Infrastructure also inspected Tonga’s mission office building in New York to address outstanding maintenance work.
The Ministry said initial repairs, despite delays in previous years, are expected to begin in the coming months and will be covered within the budget.
The Ministry said Tonga would continue working with development partners and regional organisations, including at the upcoming World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings, to pursue funding and cooperation supporting the country’s long-term development.
