AGP Executive Report

Skills and Workforce: USP Tonga graduated 199 students, including 145 women, with qualifications spanning accounting, finance, economics, business and other fields. Power Supply: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts of generation at Popua, aiming to improve reliability for households and businesses facing repeated outages. Fuel-Cost Relief: Tonga is set to receive a $15.39 million ADB emergency grant to help Tonga Power manage rising imported-fuel costs and keep electricity affordable.

Skills and Workforce: USP Tonga graduated 199 students, including 145 women, in fields such as accounting, finance, economics, business and engineering. Electricity Supply: Tonga Power commissioned two generators at Popua, adding 3.52 megawatts to help reduce outages and strengthen supply during peak demand or equipment failures. Fuel-cost Support: Tonga is set to receive a $15.39 million ADB emergency grant to help Tonga Power manage rising fuel costs and maintain affordable electricity as global fuel and freight prices climb.

Power Reliability: Tonga Power has commissioned two generators at Popua, adding 3.52 megawatts to help reduce outages and keep supply stable during maintenance or breakdowns. Fuel Costs: Tonga will receive a $15.39 million Asian Development Bank emergency grant to help Tonga Power manage rising fuel costs and maintain affordable electricity as global prices and freight charges climb.

Energy Finance: Tonga will receive a US$15.39 million ADB emergency grant to help Tonga Power manage rising imported-fuel costs and keep electricity affordable. It is the largest share of a US$40.1 million package for Tonga, Kiribati and Tuvalu. Power Supply: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts of generation at Popua, commissioning two generators to improve reliability during peak demand and equipment failures while a permanent power station is planned.

Mate Ma’a Tonga Brand: TNRL says it will not charge the national team to use the name on the field, but is seeking modest compensation for commercial merchandise sales as the trademark dispute continues ahead of the World Cup. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent communities and economies adapt to climate change. Power Supply: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts of generation capacity at Popua, expanding the kingdom’s electricity supply.

Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank has approved US$15.39 million for Tonga to help manage fuel-price shocks and support affordable electricity. Power Supply: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts at Popua, bolstering reserves during peak demand and outages while a permanent upgrade is developed. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community recorded US$129.9 million in new climate funding approvals, including US$107 million to help tuna-dependent Pacific communities and economies adapt. Business Expansion: Remington Group’s new Xerox dealership will serve Tonga and other Pacific markets, bringing office equipment and document services to local businesses.

World Cup Pay Gap: Tonga international and players’ union president Felise Kaufusi will push for fairer tournament payments: Australian players receive A$40,000, while others earn A$850 per match, capped at A$4,250. Fuel Security: The ADB has approved US$15.39 million for Tonga as part of a regional package to cushion fuel-price volatility and help Tonga Power maintain affordable electricity. Climate Pressure: Drought has been declared in parts of Tonga as El Niño intensifies, adding to risks facing the country.

Pacific Digital Investment: PNG-founded NiuPay is expanding in Fiji, planning to invest several million Fiji dollars over five years and grow its local team to 8–12 staff. Its regional work includes digital land-title and border-processing systems in Papua New Guinea. Tonga Energy Support: The Asian Development Bank has approved a US$15.39 million grant for Tonga to manage fuel-price volatility and help Tonga Power maintain affordable electricity. Fuel Costs: Pacific governments are using social protection and transport or fuel subsidies to cushion households from higher energy and freight costs, which are feeding into food prices and straining outer-island communities. Fisheries Outlook: A strong El Niño could shift tuna stocks and fishing activity across the Pacific through 2027, posing challenges for fisheries management and island economies.

Energy Costs: The Asian Development Bank approved a US$15.39 million grant to help Tonga manage fuel-price volatility and keep electricity affordable through support for Tonga Power. Fisheries and Climate: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna stocks and fishing activity across the Pacific into 2027, while bringing reduced rainfall to Tonga—risks for livelihoods and the economy. Electricity Access: Tonga has reached 100% national electricity access, but remote communities still need targeted solutions to ensure reliable service.

Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank has approved US$15.39 million for Tonga to help manage fuel-price volatility and support affordable electricity as global energy costs rise. Fisheries and Climate: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna stocks and fishing activity across the Pacific through 2027, posing challenges for island economies; Tonga is also among the countries forecast to face reduced rainfall. Household Costs: Across the region, governments are using social protection and fuel or transport subsidies to soften the blow of higher energy, freight and food costs for vulnerable households.

Ocean Investment: The Bezos Earth Fund is committing more than US$25 million to Pacific conservation, including new protected areas in Tonga and projects covering more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Household Costs: Pacific governments are using social protection and fuel and transport subsidies to cushion households from an oil-price shock that is raising freight and transport costs and squeezing fishing livelihoods. Climate and Fisheries: El Niño is expected to shift tuna grounds and catch rates through 2027; forecasts also point to reduced rainfall in Tonga, adding pressure on communities and the economy. China Ties: Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Latu led Pacific leaders in Beijing for talks on development cooperation, with China pledging continued support.

Fuel Costs: Pacific governments are cushioning the oil-price shock with welfare support and fuel and transport subsidies. Higher transport and freight costs are squeezing outer-island households, while fishing livelihoods are also under pressure. Fisheries: A very strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates across the Pacific through 2027, creating risks for fisheries management and island economies. China Ties: Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Latu led Pacific leaders in Beijing, where China pledged closer cooperation; delegates thanked Beijing for support for the region’s economic and social development. Drought: Tonga has declared drought across its major islands as El Niño intensifies, with below-average rainfall and water needs prompting coordination with aid groups. The effects may continue after the weather event peaks. Economic Outlook: Tonga’s Reserve Bank reported a $26 million profit, while inflation remains a major challenge.

Fisheries and Drought: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates across the Pacific through 2027. Tonga has also declared drought across its main islands, raising risks to water supplies, food security and fishing livelihoods. Tonga-China Ties: Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Latu led Pacific politicians in Beijing, where Wang Yi promoted cooperation and rejected claims of geopolitical rivalry. China has shifted from large loans toward smaller grants and projects, changing how its support reaches the region. Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister says the Pacific Resilience Facility is operational but still US$320 million short of its US$500 million target for community-led projects. Local Jobs: Construction has begun on a TOP$2.5 million FIFA-funded football pitch in Veitongo; the local contractor says it plans to employ and develop Tongan workers, with completion expected by March. Household Costs: Pacific governments are using welfare increases and transport support to cushion the fuel-price shock, as higher freight and travel costs hit low-income and outer-island households.

China’s Pacific Strategy: Beijing is shifting from large infrastructure loans to smaller, more frequent grants, expanding its regional influence despite providing less development finance than Australia. Tonga-China Ties: Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Uasike Lātū led Pacific leaders in Beijing, where both sides pledged closer cooperation; the delegation thanked China for support for the region’s economic and social development. Drought Alert: Tonga has declared drought across its major islands as El Niño intensifies, with below-average rain in many areas and authorities coordinating water distribution and community support. Climate Finance: Tonga’s Prime Minister says the Pacific Resilience Facility still needs US$320 million to reach its US$500 million target for community-led climate projects. Local Jobs: Construction has begun on a TOP$2.5 million FIFA-funded football turf in Veitongo, with the contractor aiming to hire and develop Tongan workers ahead of completion next March.

Climate Finance: Tonga is among Pacific leaders pressing for the regional resilience fund to close a US$320 million gap against its US$500 million target, so it can finance community-led projects. Tower also showcased weather-triggered insurance at Pre-COP31, including a FJ$27,050 rainfall payout to 278 customers in Fiji. Tonga-China Ties: Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Uasike Lātū led Pacific leaders in Beijing, where China pledged continued cooperation and regional development support. Drought Warning: Tonga has declared drought across most major islands as El Niño intensifies, raising concerns for households and livelihoods; authorities are coordinating water distribution and support. Local Jobs: Construction has begun on a TOP$2.5 million FIFA-funded artificial football pitch, with the contractor planning to employ and train Tongan workers.

China-Pacific Ties: Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Uasike Lātū led Pacific leaders in Beijing talks with China’s Wang Yi, where China’s past assistance to regional economic and social development was acknowledged and both sides voiced support for closer cooperation. Drought Pressure: Tonga has declared drought across its major islands as El Niño intensifies, with below-average rainfall raising concerns for communities and water supplies; warnings are expected to remain in place for three months. Climate Finance: Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua says the Pacific Resilience Facility, which funds community-led projects, is still US$320 million short of its US$500 million target. Jobs and Infrastructure: Construction is beginning on Tonga’s TOP$2.5 million FIFA-funded artificial football pitch, with the local contractor aiming to employ and train Tongan workers. By-elections: Voters returned both parliamentary seats vacated after electoral-offence rulings to relatives of the former MPs, electing Alvin Lafu Sika and ‘Aminiasi Tangimana.