UN in Tonga Country Implementation Plan 2025 - 2027

The Tonga Country Implementation Plan (CIP) 2025-2027 outlines the UN’s strategic engagement to support Tonga in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States. This plan is guided by Tonga’s national development priorities as outlined in the Tonga Strategic Development Framework III (2025-2035) and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, focusing on economic resilience, social equity, environmental sustainability, and governance strengthening.

Scope and Focus

The CIP serves as a framework for UN-Government cooperation, providing targeted interventions across climate resilience, economic diversification, education, healthcare, gender equality and social inclusion, youth empowerment, tourism, migration, governance, and digital transformation. It aligns with the Pacific UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework to drive sustainable and inclusive growth while addressing Tonga’s unique geographic, economic, and climate vulnerabilities.

Key Interventions and Expected Outcomes

• Economic Diversification and Resilience: Strengthening sustainable fisheries, agriculture, and eco-tourism to reduce dependency on imports and external aid.
• Climate Adaptation and Disaster Resilience: Implementing coastal protection, renewable energy solutions, and sustainable land-use practices.
• Education and Workforce Development: Expanding vocational training, family life education, digital literacy, and education infrastructure.
• Health and Well-being: Strengthening primary healthcare access, children, adolescents and youth friendly health services, NCD prevention, protection, mental health and psychosocial support, and water and sanitation services.
• Governance and Social Inclusion: Enhancing public administration, gender equality policies, and statistical capacity to ensure evidence-based decision-making.

Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and SDG Acceleration

The CIP is fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Pacific, ensuring regional coherence and resource optimization. By leveraging UN expertise and technical assistance, the Country Implementation Plan contributes to SDG acceleration, particularly in poverty reduction (SDG 1), health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), economic growth (SDG 8), climate action (SDG 13), and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16).