UN wraps up Tonga Mission; fruitful discussions with Civil Society & Development Partners

Led by the Head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Alpha Bah, the delegation met with civil society and development partners to discuss the creation of Country Implementation Plans (CIPs).

CIPs are a key part of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 (UNSDCF) which the Government of Tonga and the UN jointly signed last year, renewing the long-standing partnership, and signaling increased collaboration over the next five years.

Through CIPs, UN actions and deliverables on the ground in Tonga are clearly outlined, ensuring that the UNSDCF is not only relevant, but directly addresses Tonga’s key national development priorities, which the UNSDCF is directly aligned to.

UN Resident Coordinator to Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, Sanaka Samarasinha, said these consultations were part of the UN’s ongoing dialogue with government and partners to ensure no one is left behind.

“It was wonderful to hear from CSOs and development partners in Tonga – CSOs play a crucial role in contextualizing the UN’s expertise to the local situation, and our development partners were able to share information about their ongoing work, speaking about the importance of empowering communities through their initiatives. The outcomes of the UNSDCF are strengthened through these discussions,” Mr Samarasinha said.

Tonga’s CIPs are anticipated to be finalized and approved by the Government by the end of this month.

The 2022 UN contribution to Tonga was around US7.6m - a 25% increase from 2021, supporting health systems, education, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, biodiversity, food systems, disaster reduction and response, renewable energy, economic empowerment and livelihoods, gender equality, and human rights.

There are 10 UN agencies based in Nuku’alofa and 21 staff.

Mr Samarasinha reaffirmed the UN’s support to Tonga and will continue to return regularly to engage closely with government, national stakeholders, civil society, and development partners.

ENDS