02nd May, 2018 Tonga is again joining other Parties, relevant non-Parties, and Observer organizations at the Forty Eight Negotiating Sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany from 30th April – 10th May 2018.
The drive behind this negotiating session is to further develop the Paris Agreement Work Program, and to effectively participate in the Talanoa Dialogue, which will take stock on progress towards the long-term global goals.
As a member of both the Alliance of the Small Island States (AOSIS) and Group of 77 & China [G-77] negotiating blocs, Tonga as with its greater membership has four major priority needs to accomplish during this inter-sessional meeting which are; to complete the Paris Agreement Work Programme, drive forward the Talanoa Dialogue in light of NDC targets, enhance the mobilization and increased access to climate finance with a strong emphasis of the Adaptation Fund to serve the Paris Agreement, and Loss and Damage.
In light of Tonga experiencing the devastating effects from three (3) most recent Tropical Cyclones (TC) namely TC Gita and TC Keni within it’s cyclone season, it has become more evident that the intensity of Tropical Cyclones are increasing and that these exacerbated effects of climate change will eventually lead to cases of permanent loss and irreversible damage to our island home.
The Tonga delegation attending this inter-sessional meeting are Mr. Sione Talolakepa Fulivai and Ms Losana Latu, and are joined by Tonga’s fellows from New York; Ms. ‘Elisapeti Veikoso, Ms. Adi Talanaivini Mafi and Ms. ‘Amelia Fa’otusia.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Department of Climate Change phone # 26-514.