Department of Environment, Tonga

14/07/2026

GIZ Pacific Island Region
National Coordinator – Marine Litter Prevention
Tonga

Main Role:
The CleanSeas: Marine Litter Prevention in Pacific Island Countries project is implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal
Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN). The project works in Fiji, Samoa,
Tonga, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands in partnership with relevant government ministries. To support these objectives in
Tonga, GIZ is seeking a National Coordinator - Marine Litter Prevention based in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, to support and work on these
outcomes with the Waste Management and Pollution Control Division within the Tonga Ministry of Meteorology, Energy,
Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC).
Reporting Relationship:
The National Coordinator – Marine Litter Prevention will be based within the Waste Management and Pollution Control Division of
MEIDECC, supporting the implementation of the regional CleanSeas – Marine Litter Prevention in Pacific Island Countries project
in Tonga. The role provides technical expertise on plastics, waste management, and marine litter prevention while coordinating
national project activities, stakeholder engagement, reporting, and collaboration with regional partners, including SPC and SPREP,
to advance sustainable waste management and environmental protection initiatives.

Major Functions:
The National Coordinator – Marine Litter Prevention will provide technical support and advisory services to Tonga’s Waste
Management & Pollution Control Division and the CleanSeas Project Management Unit (PMU) to strengthen national efforts on
plastic waste management, marine litter prevention, and circular economy approaches.

Key responsibilities include:
• Supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of activities related to plastic waste management,
marine litter prevention, and sustainable waste management solutions.
• Providing technical advice and inputs to support the development and improvement of policies, legal frameworks, guidelines,
and initiatives, including single-use plastics and extended producer responsibility mechanisms.
• Preparing technical reports, policy briefs, submissions, and other project-related documentation.
• Supporting field activities, including waste audits, monitoring exercises, and community-based initiatives, while ensuring
gender-responsive and inclusive approaches.
• Facilitating collaboration between national stakeholders, regional partners, government agencies, private sector, civil society,
and development partners.
• Supporting Tonga’s engagement with regional mechanisms, including recycling and resource recovery initiatives such as the
Moana Taka mechanism.
• Contributing to knowledge management through the documentation of lessons learned, good practices, awareness activities,
and behaviour change initiatives targeting communities, schools, and businesses.
• Supporting CleanSeas project planning, reporting, monitoring, and coordination processes, including assisting consultants and
technical experts during assignments in Tonga.
• Supporting the management of project activities, including consultancy arrangements and other tasks required by the Waste
Management & Pollution Control Division and the CleanSeas PMU.

Experiences & Qualification:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in ecology, marine sciences, biology, or any other relevant field.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in the fields of circular economy, (plastic) waste management and prevention and
other relevant fields.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in implementation of international projects.

The following skills will be desirable:
• Sound awareness of gender-sensitive issues
• Dedicated, reliable team player with good diplomatic and intercultural skills
• Experience with an international and inter-cultural working environment
• Excellent organizational skills
• High standards of confidentiality and loyalty

Our offer:
Remuneration package to commensurate with qualification and experience. To source full Terms of Reference of the role, please
email: Ms. Salote Dau. (This position is open to Tongan nationals only).
All applications including achievement- oriented CV with details of 3 referees and accompanying documents should be sent by
email to Ms. Salote Dau, Senior HR Officer on [email protected] or by post/ hand delivered no later than 4.00p.m Friday, 24
July 2026 addressed to:
VACANCY –National Coordinator– Marine Litter Prevention Tonga
Lot 67, GIZ Haus,
Knolly Street, Suva
P.O.Box 14041, Suva.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer

08/07/2026

🇹🇴 📢 Historic announcement! 🌊🌏

Tonga proudly marks a decisive and forward‑looking milestone with the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement! 🎉 An affirmation of the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to stewarding the global ocean commons.

By joining the community of States advancing this landmark agreement, we strengthen the global framework for international cooperation, conservation and sustainable use, reinforcing the rule of law on the high seas, and amplifying the voice of Small Island Large Ocean States in shaping a resilient, equitable and enduring ocean future.

07/07/2026

VACANCY ANNOUCEMENT: SWAP2 National Project Officer (NPO) in TONGA .

22/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1VRzKgtN3T/

📣UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji is inviting Expressions of Interest from qualified individual contractors to serve as National Consultants for Policy and Institutional Review and Biodiversity Finance in Fiji.

📌The details:
🕚Contract Duration: 20 working days
📆Application submission deadline: 23 June 2026 at 1:30 am (New York time)
✉️For queries, please contact: [email protected]

For submissions and more details, visit: https://zurl.co/EnGUJ

16/06/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVggLGfpqNY

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15/06/2026

Tonga Showcases Ocean Governance Reforms, Welcomes Australia’s New National Measures

Cairns, Australia — 13 June 2026: The Government of Tonga showcased a decade of game‑changing reforms that have modernised whole‑of‑government ocean governance and strengthened long‑term, sustainable management of 100 percent of its ocean estate during the Australia–Pacific Ocean Business Leaders Summit held on 11–12 June.

At the Summit, Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Chief Executive Officer Sione 'Akauola outlined Tonga’s progress through Ocean7, the national coordination mechanism established by Cabinet decision in 2015 to bring together all ocean‑related ministries and agencies for unified policy, planning and decision‑making. Alongside, he highlighted, the Ocean Management Act 2025 and the forthcoming National Ocean Policy. He emphasised that “the ocean is not what separates us, it is what binds us,” underscoring the deep partnership between Tonga and Australia.

Tonga welcomes Australia’s announcement of new national measures, including the establishment of a cross‑sectoral advisory group and a National Ocean Steering Committee. Announcing the reforms, Australia’s Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said Australia was “strengthening national coordination to ensure our ocean governance keeps pace with emerging challenges and opportunities.”

During the expert panel on 100% Sustainable Ocean Management, Dr. Fononga Vainga Mangisi‑Mafile’o, Senior Advisor for Integrated Ocean Governance, outlined Tonga’s approach to strengthening integrated ocean governance. She noted that Tonga was first invited to present its ocean governance reforms at the inaugural Summit in Sydney in 2024, where Pacific perspectives on long‑term planning and values‑based decision‑making helped shape early regional dialogue. She highlighted the importance of anticipatory governance to ensure institutions can respond to emerging pressures and long‑term challenges.

“We are very pleased to see this kind of governance reform gaining momentum across the region, reflecting a growing commitment to more integrated and future‑focused ocean governance,” she explained.

Mangisi-Mafileo also outlined Tonga’s next phase of work through the Ecosystem Valuation Assessment Framework (EVAF) and tools, which will strengthen national understanding of ecological, cultural, social and economic values and support transparent, balanced and sustainable decision‑making.

Tonga also underscored the importance of the ocean‑climate nexus, noting that strengthened governance and coordinated regional action are essential to addressing the interconnected challenges shaping Pacific futures.

The 2-day Summit was convened by Ocean Decade Australia, and Partners.
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Faka'ali'ali 'e Tonga 'a e Ngaahi Fakalelei ki he P**e'i 'o e 'Oseni, Talitali 'a e Ngaahi Founga Fo'ou Fakafonua 'a 'Aositelelia

Carins, ʻAositelēlia — 13 Sune 2026:

Na’e fakahaa’i ‘e Tonga ‘i he fakataha ‘a e Australia-Pacific Ocean Business na’e fakahoko mei he ‘aho 11-12 ‘o Sune, ha ta’u ‘e hongofulu ‘o e ngaahi fakalelei mo ha ngaahi liliu ‘a ia kuo fakaonopooni anga 'a e p**e’i ‘o e ‘oseni pea fakamālohia ‘a e p**e’i taimi loloa mo tu’uloa ‘o e peseti ‘e 100 ‘o ‘ene koloa ‘i 'oseni.

‘I he Fakataha ni, na’e fakaha ai ‘e he P**e Ngaue ‘a e Potungaue MEIDECC, Sione ‘Akauola ‘a e ngaahi fakalakalaka ‘a Tonga ‘o fakafou ‘i he Ocean7, ko e founga fakafekau’aki fakafonua na’e fokotu’u ai ‘a e tu’utu’uni Kapineti ‘i he 2015, ke fakatahataha’i ‘a e ngaahi potungaue fekaukau’aki mo e ngaahi hoangaue he ngaahi faitu’utu’uni mo e palani. Na’a ne faka’ilonga’i ai ‘a e Lao ki hono P**e’i ‘o e ‘Oseni 2025 pea mo e Tu’utu’uni Fakafonua ki he ‘Oseni ‘oku lolotonga hanganaki mai. Na’a ne fakamamafa’i “’oku ‘ikai ko e ‘oseni ‘oku ne fakamavahe’i kitautolu, ka ‘oku ne fakatahataha’i kitautolu,” ‘o ne fakamamafa’i ‘a e fengaue’aki ‘i he vaha’a ‘o Tonga mo ‘Aositelelia.

‘Oku talitali lelei ‘e Tonga ‘a e fakahā ‘e ‘Aositelelia ‘a e ngaahi founga fo’ou fakafonua, kau ai hono fokotu’u ‘o ha kulupu fale’i fakakolosi‐sekitoa mo ha Komiti Fakalele Fakafonua ki he ‘Oseni. ‘I hono fakahā ‘o e ngaahi fakalelei ko ‘ení, na’e pehē ai ‘e he Minisitā ‘a ‘Aositelēlia ki he ‘Ātakaí mo e Vaí, Senator Hon Murray Watt, ‘oku “fakamālohia ‘e ‘Aositelēlia ‘a e fehokotaki fakafonuá ke fakapapau’i ‘oku fe’unga ‘etau p**e’i ‘o e ‘oseni mo e ngaahi pole mo e ngaahi faingamālie ‘oku kamata ke ha mai.”

Lolotonga ‘a e fakataha ‘a e kau mataotao ni, na’e fakahoko ‘e Dr. Fononga Vainga Mangisi‐Mafile’o, ko e tokotaha fale’i ki he P**e’i Fakatahataha'i ‘o e ‘Oseni, ‘a e founga ngaue ‘a Tonga ki hono fakamālohia ‘o e p**e’i fakakatoa ‘o e ‘oseni. Na’a ne fakatokanga’i na’e fuofua fakaafe’i ‘a Tonga ke ne fakahoko ‘ene ngaahi fakalelei ki he p**e’i ‘o e ‘oseni ‘i he ‘uluaki Fakataha ‘i Sydney ‘i he 2024, ‘a ia na’e tokoni ai ‘a e ngaahi fakakaukau ‘a e Pasifiki ki he palani taimi loloa mo e ngaahi tu’utu’uni makatu’unga ‘i he mahu’inga ke tokateu ki he ngaahi talanoa fakavahefonua. Na’a ne fakahaa’i ‘a e mahu’inga ke fakapapau’i ‘e lava ‘e he ngaahi kautaha ‘o tali ‘a e ngaahi faingata’a ‘oku kamata 'asi hake pea mo e ngaahi pole taimi loloa.

‘I he’ene fakamatala, “‘Oku mau fiefia ke mamata ki he fa’ahinga fakalelei p**e ko ‘eni ‘oku ma’u ‘a e ivi ‘i he vahefonua kotoa, ‘o fakahaa’i ai ‘a e tukupā ki ha p**e ‘o e ‘oseni ‘oku fakatahataha’i ange mo fakatefito ‘i he kaha’u,”

Na’e toe fakahoko foki ‘e Mangisi-Mafileo ‘a e konga hoko ‘o e ngaue ‘a Tonga ‘o fakafou ‘i he Fa’unga Sivi’i ‘o e Mahu’inga ‘o e ‘Ekosisitemi (EVAF) mo e ngaahi me’angaue, ‘a ia te ne fakamālohia ‘a e mahino fakafonua ki he ngaahi mahu’inga faka’ekolosia, anga fakafonua, fakasosiale mo faka’ekonomika pea poupou ki he faitu’utu’uni ‘oku mahino, palanisi mo tu’uloa.

Na’e fakamamafa’i foki ‘e Tonga ‘a e mahu’inga ‘o e fehokotaki’anga ‘o e ‘ea mo e ‘oseni, ‘o ne fakatokanga’i ‘oku mahu’inga ‘a e fakamālohia ‘o e p**e mo e ngaahi ngāue fakavahefonua ‘oku fehokotaki ki hono fakalelei’i ‘o e ngaahi pole ‘oku ne fo'u ‘a e kaha’u ‘o e Pasifiki.

Ko e Fakataha ni na’e fakahoko ha ‘aho ‘e 2 ‘e he Ocean Decade ‘Aositelelia, mo e ngaahi hoangaue.

11/06/2026

https://www.undp.org/pacific/stories/classrooms-coastlines-department-environment-and-r2r-partner-world-environment-day-action-tonga

Students planting mangroves in Popua, young people learning about climate action in classrooms, and communities coming together to clean Tonga's coastlines were among the activities marking World Environment Day 2026 across Tongatapu.

09/06/2026

National Environment Awareness Week 2026 Theme: Call for Climate Action – No Delay, Act Today

The Department of Environment proudly announced the successful commencement of National Environment Awareness Week 2026, beginning with a solemn Prayer Service on May 31st at Maʻufanga Free Wesleyan Church. The service was led by Rev. Vilitonu Satini, who delivered a powerful message reminding the nation that God created the earth as a paradise, but human actions have damaged His creation. He urged all Tongans to conserve and protect the environment as a sacred duty.

From June 1st to June 4th, the program continued with school visitations across Tongatapu. Students from GMS Nukuʻalofa, GPS Halaovave, GMS Fanga o Pilolevu, GMS Haveluloto, GPS Pea, Lavengamalie Christian Elementary School, and the Alonga Centre shared inspiring performances through drama, skits, poetry, and songs. Their voices carried a strong message: Tonga must prepare for the challenges of climate change by ending harmful practices such as burning plastic, cutting down trees irresponsibly, and littering, while embracing sustainable habits that safeguard the future.

The highlight of the week culminated on June 5th — World Environment Day, observed globally as a call to action for protecting our planet. This year’s Awareness Week emphasized the urgent need for collective responsibility. The voices of faith leaders, children, and vulnerable communities remind us that protecting the environment is not only a responsibility but a moral calling.
The Department of Environment invites all citizens to join hands in this national effort. Together, we can ensure that Tonga remains a resilient and thriving paradise for generations to come.
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Uike Faka’ilo Fakafonua ki he ‘Atakai 2026 Kaveinga: Tokateu ki he feliliuaki e ʻEa – ʻOua Toloi, Kamata he ʻAho ni.

Naʻe fakahā ʻe he Va'a ʻĀtakaí 'enau fiefia 'i he kamata lelei ʻo e Uike ʻIlo Fakafonua ki he ʻĀtakaí 2026, ʻo kamata ʻaki ha malanga taha ʻi he ʻaho 31 ʻo Mē ʻi he Siasi Uēsiliana Tauʻatāina ʻo Maʻufanga. Naʻe tataki ʻa e lotú ʻe Rev. Vilitonu Satini, ʻa ia naʻá ne fakahoko ai ha pōpoaki talamonu mo e fakamanatu ki he kakai 'o e fonuá naʻe fakatupu ʻe he ʻOtuá ʻa e māmaní ko ha Palataisi, ka kuo maumauʻi ʻe he ngaahi ngāue ʻa e tangatá ʻa ʻEne fakatupú. Na’a ne uki ‘a e Tonga kotoa ke fakatolonga mo malu’i ‘a e ‘atakai ko e fatongia toputapu ia.

Mei he ‘aho 1 ki he ‘aho 4 ‘o Sune, na’e hoko atu ‘a e polokalama ni ‘aki ha ngaahi ‘a’ahi fakakolo ‘i Tongatapu kotoa. Naʻe vahevahe ʻe he fānau ako mei he GMS Nukuʻalofá, GPS Halaovave, GMS Fanga ʻo Pilolevu, GMS Haveluloto, GPS Pea, ʻApiako Lautohi Fakakalisitiane ʻo Lavengamalié, mo e Senitā ʻAlongá ha ngaahi fakaʻaliʻali 'o fakafou ʻi he ngaahi talanoa fakatātā, lau maau, mo e ngaahi hiva. Naʻe fakaha honau ngaahi leʻó ha pōpoaki: Kuo pau ke tokateu ʻa Tonga ki he ngaahi pole ʻo e feliuliuaki ʻo e ʻeá ʻaki hono fakangata ʻa e ngaahi tōʻonga fakatuʻutāmaki hangē ko hono tutu ʻo e pelesitikí, tā mo tutu'u ta'efakapotopoto ʻa e ʻuluʻakaú, mo e lingi veve, lolotonga ia 'oku tali 'a e ngaahi tōʻonga tuʻuloa ʻokú ne maluʻi ʻa e kahaʻú.

Na’e faka’osi ‘aki 'a e uike ‘i he ‘aho 5 ‘o Sune — ‘Aho Fakamamani Lahi 'o e ‘Atakai ‘a ia na’e fakamanatu ko ha ui ki he ngaue ki hono malu’i hotau palanite. Na’e fakamamafa’i ‘e he Uike Faka’ilo ‘o e ta’u ni ‘a e fiema’u vivili ‘o e kau fakataha ʻOku fakamanatu mai ʻe he leʻo ʻo e kau taki lotu, fānaú, mo e ngaahi komiunitī tu'ulaveangofua ʻoku ʻikai ko ha fatongia pē hono maluʻi ʻo e ʻātakaí ka ko ha ui fakamōlale.
‘Oku fakaafe’i atu ‘e he Potungaue ‘Atakai ‘a e kakai kotoa pe ke mou kau mai ki he feinga fakafonua ko ‘eni. ‘E lava ke tau fakatahataha ‘o fakapapau’i ‘oku kei hoko pe ‘a Tonga ko ha palataisi 'oku malava 'o matu'uaki mo tupulaki ki he ngaahi to’utangata ka hoko mai.

08/06/2026

Happy World Ocean Day! 🌊🌏

Today we join the global movement that celebrates World Ocean Day — marked every year on 8 June.
This year’s theme is: Strong Marine Protected Areas for our Blue Planet.

Tonga continues to work towards its national ocean goals:

🌊 30% of our ocean fully protected
🌊 100% sustainably managed

Marine Protected Areas are essential ocean sanctuaries that:

🌊 safeguard fragile marine habitats
🌊 replenish depleted fish populations
🌊 strengthen climate resilience
🌊 provide safe havens for threatened species to recover and thrive

As a Blue Pacific nation, our future is deeply tied to the health of our ocean. By protecting it today, we secure food, culture, and wellbeing for generations to come.

Let’s continue to protect Tonga’s Great Blue Kingdom! 🌊🇹🇴🌏

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'Aho Fakamamani Lahi 'o e 'Oseni

Ko e ‘aho ni ‘oku tau kau atu ki he nga’unu fakamamani lahi ke fakamanatua ‘a e ‘Aho Fakamamani Lahi 'o e 'Oseni — ‘oku faka’ilonga’i ‘i he ta’u kotoa pe ‘i he ‘aho 8 ‘o Sune.
Ko e kaveinga ‘o e ta’u ni ko e: Ngaahi Feitu’u Malu’i ‘o e Tahi 'oku kaukaua hono tauhi ki hotau Palanite.

'Oku kei hokohoko atu pe 'a e ngaue 'a Tonga ki he'ene ngaahi taumu'a 'oseni fakafonua:

🌊 30% hotau 'oseni 'oku malu'i kakato
🌊 100% p**e'i tu'uloa

Ko e ngaahi Feitu’u Malu’i ‘o e Tahi ko e ngaahi feitu’u mahu’inga ia ‘o e ‘oseni ‘oku:

🌊 malu'i 'a e ngaahi nofo'anga tu'ulaveangofua 'o e tahi
🌊 fakafo'ou 'a e tokolahi 'o e fanga ika
🌊 fakamalohi'i 'a e matu'uaki 'o e 'ea
🌊 'oatu ha ngaahi feitu'u malu ki he fa'ahinga 'o e me'amo'ui 'oku tu'u 'i he tu'unga fakatu'utamaki ke nau toe fakaakeake mo tupulaki

‘I he’etau hoko ko e p**e’anga ‘o e Pasifiki Lanu Pulu, ‘oku loloto ‘a e fehokotaki hotau kaha’u mo e mo’ui lelei ‘a hotau ‘oseni. ʻI hono maluʻi ia he ʻaho ní, ʻoku tau maluʻi ai ʻa e meʻakaí, anga fakafonuá, mo e moʻui leleí maʻá e ngaahi toʻutangata ka hoko maí.

Tau kei malu’i pe ‘a e 'Oseni Lahi mo Koloa'ia ‘a Tonga! 🌊🇹🇴🌏

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71TjBkFAIto

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