Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua is in Tuvalu and will travel to Fiji this week for Pacific Pre-COP31 talks, where Tonga is expected to push for stronger climate finance and practical resilience support for Pacific communities.
Lord Fakafanua is participating in the Leaders’ Programme in Tuvalu from 5–6 October before the wider Pre-COP31 programme continues in Nadi, Fiji, from 5–8 October. The Leaders’ event is designed to put Pacific climate impacts and locally led adaptation solutions directly before international decision-makers.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by Minister for Public Enterprises and Pacific Champion for Loss and Damage Siaosi Sovaleni and Special Advisor on Governance and Security Sione Tekiteki.
In Tuvalu, Lord Fakafanua is scheduled to visit the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project and participate in the Sautalaga dialogue on climate adaptation and resilience.
The Tonga Government says he will then join the Leaders’ Plenary and other events in Fiji, including a Tonga-hosted showcase on turning climate action into community resilience through the Pacific Resilience Facility.
Tonga’s climate priorities
Tonga is also scheduled to launch its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 on 7 October at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa in Nadi.
The NDC 3.0 is described by the Pre-COP programme as Tonga’s adaptation plan for 2026–2035, covering resilience, low-emission development and loss and damage.
Tonga is also scheduled to take part in discussions on reforming climate finance and on the Tonga Climate Change Fund, which the Pre-COP programme describes as Tonga’s national climate finance mechanism.
The wider Pre-COP31 meeting is intended to strengthen Pacific influence ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, in November. More than 50 countries and thousands of decision-makers, experts and advocates are expected to participate in the Fiji programme.
For Tonga, the key issue is whether the region’s calls for accessible climate finance and practical resilience support translate into greater support for communities facing rising climate risks.
