NUKU`ALOFA, TONGA – December 14, 2020 – The Kingdom of Tonga signed a Host Country Agreement (HCA) with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), thus strengthening the collaborative program of work to support Tonga’s transition towards low-carbon, climate resilient development.

Tonga became the 29th Member of GGGI in December 2018. Since then, GGGI has initiated a number of projects to support the countries sustainable development, including enhancement of Tonga’s Nationally Determined Contribution, review of the Tonga’s Energy Roadmap, and development of a Long Term Low Emissions Development Strategy.

The Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), GGGI’s counterpart Ministry, signed the HCA on behalf of the Kingdom of Tonga.

“The HCA demonstrates Tonga’s commitment to strengthen its partnership with GGGI to facilitate the country’s continuing efforts to address critical development challenges and strengthen policy, planning and regulatory frameworks to accelerate adoption of sustainable energy, climate finance and green investments for Tonga’s public and private sectors”, said H.E. Poasi M Tei, Minister of MEIDECC.

The HCA will facilitate the ongoing process to establish and staff a GGGI Country Office in Tonga.

“GGGI is very pleased to have achieved this important milestone with Tonga, as the HCA provides the foundation on which to build our collaborative program to develop a sustainable and secure energy sector, formulate long-term green planning, and achieve low emissions targets”, said Dr. Frank Rijsberman, GGGI Director-General.

On December 09, Tonga submitted its 2nd, enhanced NDC 2020 to the UNFCCC. GGGI supported this achievement by conducting a review of Tonga original NDC, and making recommendations to strengthen it.