Press Releases
Signing and Exchange of Notes Concerning Grant Aid to the Kingdom of Tonga: “the Economic and Social Development Programme”(Installation of solar power systems)
On December 10, in Nuku’alofa, the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga, H.E. Mr. INAGAKI Hisao, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga, and Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Valu EKE, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, signed and exchanged notes for “the Economic and Social Development Programme” to provide equipment of solar power systems (grant provision up to 400 million yen).
- The Kingdom of Tonga faces the impacts of climate change, making disaster prevention efforts an urgent priority. Recognizing this situation, Japan has provided support to strengthen the capacity of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission(TBC) as a disaster prevention hub. As its outcome, the TBC is now playing a central role in the rapid dissemination of early warning information and safety notices on disasters.
- This project aims at enhancing Tonga’s disaster response capabilities by providing solar power-related equipment, including containerized solar power systems and pole-mounted transformers, thereby stabilizing the nationwide early warning system and disaster prevention communication operated by the TBC.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) held in July, 2024, Japan has announced "Climate Change and Disasters" as one of the priority areas of Japan’s cooperation, and this cooperation embodies the Plan.
(Reference1) Basic Data on Kingdom of the Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga has an area of 720 square kilometers, a population of 104,175 (2024, World Bank), and a gross national income per capita of US$5,520 (2024, World Bank).
(Reference2) 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10)
On July 16 to 18, 2024, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) was co-chaired by former Prime Minister KISHIDA and Prime Minister BROWN of the Cook Islands, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Meeting was attended by the leaders and representatives of 19 countries, regions and regional organization including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, two French overseas collectivities, Australia, and New Zealand, and the chair of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Prime Minister HU‘AKAVAMEILIKU represented the Kingdom of Tonga.
The Government of Japan announced Japan’s commitment to continue its robust development assistance and support for more than 6,500 people-to-people exchanges as well as human resource development over the next three years based on the seven priority areas of cooperation which are in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent or “2050 Strategy" of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): (1) Political Leadership and Regionalism, (2) People-centered Development, (3) Peace and Security, (4) Resources and Economic Development, (5) Climate Change and Disasters, (6) Ocean and Environment, (7) Technology and Connectivity.