Ministry of Finance (MOF) holds 3rd Portfolio Review of World Bank Financed Projects

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PRESS RELEASE

20th October 2025 – Nuku’alofa, Tonga

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The Tonga country performance portfolio review (CPPR) was conducted this month on October 2, 2025, in Nukualofa, Tonga between the Government of Tonga and the World Bank.The aim of the CPPR is to improve the implementation performance of World Bank-financed projects in Tonga. To meet this objective, the overall performance of projects were evaluated, key challenges were identified as well as cross-cutting issues affecting implementation. Moving forward, all projects agreed on a time-bound action plan to address these issues and to strengthen project delivery in Tonga.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Kilisitina Tuaimeiapi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ms. Suzy Yoon-Yildiz, Senior Operations Officer, World Bank in the South Pacific.
Government Ministries/Implementing agencies (IA’s) & Project Management Units (PMU’s) actively participated in the CPPR, presenting their project issues and action plans. Government ministries and PMU’s have reaffirmed their commitment to implement the agreed actions within the established timeframes. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) will provide overall coordination and oversight, with support from the World Bank under a Memorandum of Agreement, which is scheduled for review within the next 12 months.
In addition to the current portfolio, two new regional projects are set to be signed later this month. First, is the Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation (PHIT) Project, valued at US$13 million, which focuses on tackling the non-communicable disease crisis—an urgent economic and public health challenge that disproportionately affects the working-age population, reducing productivity and contributing to premature mortality.
Second, is the Accelerating Trade Facilitation in the Pacific Project (ATFP), worth US$9.5 million which aims to reduce the time and cost of cross-border trade among Participating Pacific Island Countries (PPIC’s). This project will be implemented by the Ministry of Customs and Revenue in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ports Authority Tonga.
There are currently five World Bank projects which are focussed on strengthening resilience and preparedness across key sectors to better serve the people of Tonga. Efforts are underway to make the transport sector—covering roads, maritime, and aviation—more resilient and better able to respond quickly during crises or emergencies.
In education, 8,000 students will benefit from schools being made safer and more resilient, while data-driven management, curricula, and assessments are being improved to ensure quality learning and effective emergency response.
Tonga is stengthening early warning systems, encouraging resilient investments, and introducing disaster risk financing to better protect communities and resources. As part of these efforts, a new facility for the Tonga Meteorological Services and the National Emergency Management Office is being built to be commissioned next year.
Health efforts in Tonga are focused on better managing non-communicable diseases and expanding climate-resilient services in the Northern Islands, with emergency response systems in place. These initiatives also include building a new hospital in Vava’u to serve the local community.
Additionally, Tonga is addressing data gaps by strengthening welfare data collection and building capacity within the Statistics Department to support more informed decision-making.
Tonga’s country performance portfolio review was held at Tanoa Hotel and concluded with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the World Bank and Tonga signifying a partnership towards a more resilient and prosperous future.

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Senior Operations Officer for the World Bank - Suzy Yoon-Yildiz and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance - Kilisitina Tuaimei’api sign the Memorandum of Agreement between the World Bank and Tonga.

Central Services Unit | Aid Management Resilient Development Division | Ministry of Finance
Website: www.finance.gov.to
Contact Person: Tupouseini Fonua – Communications Coordinator (CSU) |Email: tfonua@finance.gov.to