8 May 2025, Nukualofa, Tonga – The Kingdom of Tonga has applauded the work of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC), to continue to build climate resilience that is inclusive, and community driven for the people of Tonga.
Mr Sione Akauola, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) highlighted the impact of the work at the end of a PCCC mission in Tonga from 14-17 April 2025.
“The National Knowledge Brokerage Workshop has given us a valuable reminder of the importance of effective communication of all climate actors,” said Mr Akauola.
“We requested the PCCC to deliver this workshop because I am hopeful at the end of the workshop a framework is tabled for discussion to ensure that climate knowledge is not just produced but effectively used and applied in decision making from MEIDECC to the grassroots level.
“This will give all participants the confidence to strengthen our collective efforts to build resilience that is inclusive, and community driven for a resilient Tonga.”
The National Knowledge Brokerage Workshop was part of the objectives of the mission.
The mission also included a consultation meeting on the Sia Heu Lupe / Popua Peninsula Integrated Climate Resilience, Restoration & Rehabilitation Master Plan (CR3MP) and the work to engage the private sector on the PCCC-JICA Project on Innovative Solutions for Climate Change Resilience in the Pacific (ISPCCR).
More than fifty participants were involved in the meetings from Government, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Tonga Social Protection and Disability, and the private sector.
“The work in Tonga is part of the ongoing work of the PCCC to build a more resilient Pacific environment by enhancing the capacity of national stakeholders to access, understand and utilise climate change information for evidence-based decision-making and inclusive policy development,” said PCCC Manager, Ms Ofa Kaisamy.
“The consultations to familiarise government officials with the Sia Heu Lupe / Popua Peninsula Integrated Climate Resilience, Restoration & Rehabilitation Master Plan (CR3MP) and the private sector on opportunities for engagement through the PCCC-JICA Project on Innovative Solutions for Climate Change Resilience in the Pacific were extremely important and are key steppingstones in our ongoing efforts to help our Pacific countries.”
The mission was jointly funded by the Government of Australia through the DFAT-PCCC Project on Strengthening the Services of the PCCC, the University of Melbourne and the PCCC-JICA Project on Innovative Solutions for Climate Change Resilience in the Pacific (ISPCCR).
Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Brek Batley, commended the work saying such programmes brings partnerships, people and knowledge, together.
“Your role as knowledge brokers is instrumental in building partnerships between providers and users of climate change information, we need to ensure that the decision makers have access to scientifically robust information and practical information that drives greater climate action,” he said.
“It's also about hearing different voices. Everyone has a different perspective, and that's why knowledge is so important. I cannot commend enough of these sorts of programmes that support knowledge management and brokerage at all levels and the outcomes that you produce are at the heart of our region's battle against climate change.
“I hope this opportunity offers a rewarding experience that takes our joint work together is even further and brings in more partners, more voices and more robust knowledge”.
The mission was part of PCCC’s broader mandate to serve as a regional hub for climate change information, capacity building, applied research and innovation solution, supporting Pacific Island and Territories in their adaptation and resilience journeys.