LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TONGA

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TONGA’ S DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE (COP 28) DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of Parliament, led a delegation from the Parliament of Tonga to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 28, which is held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 29th November – 12 December 2023. The delegation includes Hon. Dulcie Elaine Tei (People’s Representative for Tongatapu 6), Hon. Johnny Grattan Vaea Taione (People’s Representative for Tongatapu 8), and Hon. Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi (People’s Representative for ‘Eua 11), all who are members of the Standing Committee on Environment and Climate Change.

Parliament of Tonga delegation from L – R: Hon. Johnny Vaea, Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Dulcie Tei, and Hon. Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi

In the past week of COP 28 the Parliament delegation have attended various side events including events where the Lord Speaker was a panellist. The sessions observed included Addressing Climate Vulnerability in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), High Ambition for the High Seas, and UN System and First Global Stocktake.

The Lord Speaker was also a panellist at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion hosted by SPREP speaking on how the Pacific is addressing climate change through its key services, the Arizona State University Pavilion speaking on the international trade system and planet enhancing subsidies, and the High-Level round table by Global Institute Disease Elimination speaking on climate change and infectious diseases under the new thematic area of Health at COP 28.

The Parliament delegation is expected to participate in the Inter- Parliamentary Union side event on 6th December 2023.