Tonga sets up National Sustainable Development Board

Tonga has set up its own in-country multi-stakeholder board called the Tonga National Sustainable Development Board.

The TNSDB will help localize the priorities of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) of which Tonga is a member.

During the launch this week, Prime Minister Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the TNSDB will facilitate internal coordination of strategies, policies, and programs of the member countries and the PIDF and would promote integration of national concerns and harness their co-benefits and synergies.

“This initiative again complements Tonga’s ongoing commitments to localizing similar global framework such as the SDGs and link national activities and programmes to the global policy level which will create broader support, and enhance impact.”

He said TNSDB is best positioned to provide a harmonized national reporting system to reduce the burden of countries reporting on international agendas such as the UNFCCC, the SDG global indicator framework, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

TNSDB operates under the Prime Minister’s Office secretariat. TNSDB will be responsible for policy coherence and coordination, and system-wide implementation of PIDF policies within member countries.

Mr Pohiva also reminded participants about the commitment in the coming months to formalize the establishment of a Board and to deliver the change that will make the difference needed on the ground.

Three members of the Tonga National Sustainable Board will represent Tonga to the Members Representative Council which meets twice a year and to the PIDF Conference which is held every two years.

The interim nominees for Members Representative Council include Drew Havea from the civil society organisation, Edgar Cocker from the private sector and Dr. Palenitina Langa’oi from government.

The TNSDB was launched after the closing ceremony of a two-day PIDF National Consultation Workshop in Nuku’alofa.

LoopTonga: Photo Peni Lomaloma/Twitter. Caption: PIDF National Consultation Workshop in Nukua'lofa