Nuku’alofa, Tonga, August 15th, 2025 – The Government of Tonga successfully delivered the validation of the Second NDC Review Report and initiating the development of its enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions Report 2025 (NDC 3.0) complying with the UNFCCC requirements to prepare, communicate, and maintain successive NDCs on a five-year cycle.

The workshop led by the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of MEIDECC, in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) with funding from the Partnership Action Fund (PAF) through the NDC Partnership, as well as technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UN Women.

The validation opened with remarks from the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) for the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Mr. Sione ‘Akauola, who emphasized that “We have made proud achievements, such as reaching the one million trees milestone, expanding special management areas, and progressing towards renewable electricity generation targets”. As Country Focal Point to the NDC Partnership, he also quoted “today’s workshop is vital: it is our opportunity to validate the findings and recommendations of the NDC 2.0 Review Report, ensuring they are robust, inclusive, and ready to inform the drafting of NDC 3.0.”

The workshop brought together 40 participants, including government sectors, NGOs, and international consultants, to review and approve findings from the Second NDC and recommendations for NDC 3.0. These proposals are meant to strengthen climate actions across key sectors such as agriculture, energy, fisheries, waste, and IPPU.

The Lead Economist at GGGI Climate Action and Inclusive Development Unit, Mr. Shivenes Shammugum, noted that “Building on the outcomes of the Global Stocktake, Tonga’s NDC will be more ambitious, with stronger adaptation and resilience measures, and a reinforced governance structure, ensuring it is not only transformational, but also fully implementable, provided the necessary international support and financing is in place”.

The Director for the Department of Climate Change, Mrs. Lu’isa Tu’i’afitu Malolo, concluded the workshop with a powerful call to action, reminding the public that the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) is not just a policy document for oneself but for everyone, reflecting Tonga’s unwavering commitment to confronting the realities of climate change. She stressed that achieving these ambitious goals requires not only national resolve, but also deep cooperation and shared responsibility across all sectors of society.

A key result of the workshop was a shared consensus on the findings and recommendations presented by all major sectors. These proposals for enhancing climate change adaptation and mitigation are scheduled to be submitted to the UNFCCC in September 2025.

The Government of Tonga, along with continued assistance from GGGI and its partners, will work to ensure that the final Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0 effectively responds to the climate crisis while also supporting sustainable development goals.

About the NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 240 members, including more than 130 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious, transformational climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development.

About the NDC Partnership’s Partnership Action Fund (PAF)

The Partnership Action Fund (PAF) supports the NDC Partnership’s developing Country Members in fast-tracking the implementation of their NDCs by bridging gaps in support. By pooling funds and making them more readily available, the PAF ensures countries have better access to technical and financial resources, and the widest possible range of Partnership members can respond rapidly to the needs of developing Country Members

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For more information, visit: https://gggi.org

GGGI Tonga

Lano Fonua, Senior Program Officer and Climate Finance Advisor| Lano.fonua@gggi.org

GGGI Pacific

Kelly Vacala, Regional Communications & Knowledge Sharing Lead| Kelly.Vacala@gggi.org