Global Environment Facility

Officials from the United Nations and 13 Pacific states are at the conference to speak out during negotiations of the Global Environment Facility.

The facility provides funds to combat climate issues, ocean biodiversity, and tackle the issue of marine plastic waste.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme director general, Sefanaia Nawadra, said the Pacific's unique island diversity is under threat.

That started with the GEF Constituency Meeting at the Tanoa Dateline International Hotel yesterday with country delegates and GEF Focal Points.

The Chief Executive Officer for MEIDECC, Paula Ma’u, welcomed delegates saying the Government of Tonga was grateful to be able to host the event.

“This meeting is an important one for Tonga as we have projects that are funded by the GEF, including the R2R project which comes to the end of its current programme in December this year,” Mr Ma’u said.