01st May, 2017 The Government of Tonga and the Government of the Netherlands last Thursday signed an agreement aimed to develop a partnership between the two governments where Tonga can access technical and financial assistance to manage the maritime transport greenhouse gas emissions.
Ministry of Infrastructure’s Director of Marine and Ports Mrs. Kelela Tonga said, “This signing is a corporation between Tonga and Netherlands which provide opportunities for Tonga to attend conferences that are held in the European Union. And let our voices be heard together with the other Pacific Islands, to address the greenhouse gas emissions over the International Maritime Organization (IMO)”.
Mrs. Tonga said the lack of funding is a setback for Tonga but hopeful that the new partnership will assist Tonga financially and technically.
She maintained that her department is working together with the Energy Department under the Ministry of MEIDECC to limit Tonga’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The upcoming meeting conference on greenhouse gas emissions will be held in June this year in London and Tonga will be funded by Netherlands to participate in the meeting.
Tonga is the second nation in the Pacific region to sign an agreement with a country in the European Union.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications