UNDP

The workshop is conducted by the United Nations Development Programme Pacific Office in Fiji, Samsung and the Ministry of Education and Training in Tonga.

A statement said “This workshop has brought together semi-finalists from various secondary schools in the country, including Apifo’ou College, Tonga High School, St. Andrews High School, Tailulu College, Tonga College, and Beulah Adventists School.”

The eruption that happened on the afternoon of 15 January 2022 echoed sonic blasts across the Pacific region and sent volcanic ash cloud and tsunamic waves across neighboring countries. The event caused devastating impacts on Tonga with economic damage worth US$90.4 million, according to the recent assessment report by World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.

Corruption costs the global economy approximately US$2.6 trillion, or 5 percent of global GDP, each year. Corruption, together with tax evasion and illicit financial flows, costs developing countries approximately US$1.26 trillion each year.[*]

This has been confirmed by a report put together by the United Nations Development Programme, titled the ‘Economic Impacts of Natural Hazards on Vulnerable Populations in Tonga’.

The report stated that the activity is carried out mostly on a subsistence basis and is particularly vulnerable to cyclone damage, severely affecting the poorest and the most vulnerable in the population.

The initiative is jointly developed and will be implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United Nations University Institute for Environment Society and the United Nations Development Programme.

“New Zealand, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is pleased to support this initiative as it fully aligns with New Zealand’s “climate action” agenda as well as its focus on disaster risk reduction in the Pacific to address vulnerabilities of low-income populations,” Curr said.

The partnership will see accredited ANZ facilitators deliver financial education with female market vendors, entrepreneurs and small business owners across a number of UNDP supported projects.

Patrick Tuimalealiifano, Deputy Team Leader of Inclusive Growth Programme at the UNDP Pacific office, said this partnership is about more than just balancing a budget.

“We want to help rural market vendors, predominantly women, move away from subsistence living, and MoneyMinded has proven success in helping Pacific people create a positive vision for their future,” he said.

Income losses are expected to exceed $220 billion in developing countries, and nearly half of all jobs in Africa could be lost. With an estimated 55 per cent of the global population having no access to social protection, these losses will reverberate across societies, impacting education, human rights and, in the most severe cases, basic food security and nutrition.

In response, the Government, with support from UNDP, is developing a project to address short-term vulnerability and build long-term resilience in coastal areas in the country.

With Green Climate Fund financing being sought it is expected that 16km of vulnerable coastlines will be protected from immediate climate change and that the long-term resilience of an additional 12km of coastlines will be enhanced.

The interventions will deliver direct and indirect benefits to more than 10,144 people (9.8% of the total population) and 14,961 people (14.5%), respectively. 

Corruption is an issue that affects all countries around the world.

It contributes to a lack of trust and confidence in governance and leadership, undermines democracy, and sets countries back economically.

In a statement, the UNDP says: “Strengthening anti-corruption measures and building transparent institutions is a priority task for governments and citizens around the world, including in Papua New Guinea.

The MOU was signed between Dr. ‘Aisake Eke on behalf of the Government of Tonga and Osnat Lubrani, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative.

Dr Eke said the inauguration of the United Nations Joint Presence Office marks another milestone in the Government of Tonga’s partnership with the United Nations over the past 16 years.  He thanked the United Nations Resident Coordinator for the UN assistance and support towards the development of Tonga and their patience.