Handover of equipment from the British Government and Media Workshop on “Understanding Climate Change” in Tonga
.E Mr. Paul Lawrence, Deputy British High Commissioner for Tonga and the CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma’u
13 September, 2022. On the 8th September 2022 the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of MEIDECC hosted the official handover of advanced camera equipment by the British High Commission office in Tonga to the Ministry of MEIDECC at the Fa’onelua Convention Center.
The Director of Climate Change Ms. Lu’isa Tu’iafitu Malolo welcomed H.E Mr. Paul Lawrence, Deputy British High Commissioner for Tonga, the CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma’u, and the members of the Tonga Media Association (TMA) and participants from other media organisations.
Ms. Malolo mentioned the lack of dated equipment that exists in the Department and that this new camera will provide better quality images and footage. She also highlighted the important role of the Media in Tonga as the “voice” for communicating climate change issues in Tonga and raising awareness on Tonga’s strategies and plans like the Joint National Action Plan 2 (JNAP 2, 2018-2028), Second National Determined Contributions 2020-2025, (NDC) and Long Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LT-LEDS 2021-2025) to the general public, the region and the world.
Mr. Lawrence presented the camera to the CEO of MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma’u who gladly received it on behalf of the Government of Tonga. Mr. Lawrence praised the efforts made by Tongan Government in addressing the impacts of Climate Change that it is facing especially since it is on the frontline of Climate Change.
He also highlighted Tonga’s Second NDC targets to plant 1 million trees by 2023 and 13% reduction in GHG emissions from energy by 2030, showing Tonga’s commitment to reducing its GHG emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
“The camera equipment we are handing over to MEIDECC today was made possible by a Foreign Commonwealth Development Office grant to the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD/NAP Global Network), who are providing technical assistance to a number of countries including Tonga with finalizing and communicating their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).”
On behalf of the Government of Tonga, Mr. Paula Ma’u acknowledged the handover of the camera as a milestone marking the history of Tonga’s ongoing strong ties with the UK Government. Mr. Paula Ma’u thanked the generous support made by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) through the provision of the camera equipment.
The second part of the program was a Media workshop on “Understanding Climate Change in Tonga” which was facilitated by Communication staff of the Department, with assistance from Mrs. Tu’ifua Takapautolo, DCC Communication specialist Mr. Siosifa Pomana and Mrs. Sia Angilau, Author of Ordinary Tongan Lives.
This workshop builds on key recommendations made from the first media workshop held in March 2021 which seeks to strengthen engagement of the Media in Tonga and their role in raising awareness on the real climate change issues that are impacting the most vulnerable populations in Tonga.
