2 February 2026, Nukualofa - The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) continues to strengthen its engagement with the Kingdom of Tonga across its programme areas, including climate change and resilience, climate science and information, biodiversity and conservation, waste management and pollution control, and environmental monitoring.
It follows a high-level visit to the Kingdom of Tonga by SPREP Director General, Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra, at the invitation of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment and Climate Change (MEIDECCC), SPREP’s designated focal ministry.
During the visit, the Director General met with the Chief Executive Officer of MEIDECCC, Mr. Sione ‘Akau’ola and relevant directors of Climate Change, Meteorology and Environment/Waste Management; to discuss SPREP’s ongoing cooperation with Tonga.
Discussions focused on current regional initiatives, emerging priorities, and areas for continued technical support.
The Director General also held high level engagements with Tonga’s new Government to gain insight into its broader vision and priorities for climate, environment, and sustainable development.
A courtesy call was paid to the Honourable Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, who is also the Minister responsible for MEIDECCC.
The Director General expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s leadership and continued commitment to climate and environmental issues, and reaffirmed SPREP’s ongoing support to Tonga as a valued member country in areas of mutual interest which include access to climate finance, early warnings and enhanced meteorological services, biodiversity particularly in the areas of invasive species and oceans, plastics pollution, and regional and global advocacy.
The visit included a meeting with His Royal Highness, The Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Director General briefed His Royal Highness on SPREP’s mandate, its engagement with Pacific Small Island Developing States, and its role in supporting the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, including through technical assistance and capacity building.
The Director General was accompanied by SPREP’s Strategic Partnerships and Donor Relations Adviser, Ms Salome Tukuafu.
The Kingdom of Tonga currently benefits from 29 SPREP-executed regional or multi-country projects and initiatives, including the flagship Weather Ready Pacific programme; the Addressing Climate Change Loss and Damage – Pacific Regional Partnership; and support under the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC), and the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS).
About SPREP
Established in 1993, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is the Pacific’s intergovernmental organisation for environmental protection and sustainable development. SPREP supports 21 Pacific Island members through regional leadership, technical assistance, capacity building and coordination, and serves as the Secretariat of the Noumea Convention, the regional seas convention for the Pacific.