Nuku'alofa, Tonga | October 2026
Minister of Finance, Hon. V. Sivoki Lavemaau, has returned from the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings and Associated Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, where Tonga secured strong support from key international partners for its priorities in climate resilience, economic development, renewable energy, digital transformation, and job creation.
During a series of high-level meetings with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the Adaptation Fund, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Tonga advanced discussions on climate finance, disaster-risk financing, public financial management reforms, key infrastructure investments and private sector development.
The Minister also represented Tonga in several international forums, including the Small States Forum, Pacific Islands High-Level Roundtable, Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, Human Capital Ministerial Conclave, V20 Ministerial Dialogue, and the Southeast Asia Voting Group (SEAVG) Constituency Meeting. Across these engagements, Tonga consistently advocated for more accessible and predictable climate finance, stronger country ownership of development programs, and financing arrangements that better reflect the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States.
Key outcomes included continued budget support and development financing from international partners, progress toward a major climate adaptation project under the Adaptation Fund, expanded cooperation on renewable energy and digital transformation initiatives, and new opportunities to strengthen financial inclusion, climate-risk insurance, and local climate adaptation financing.
Hon. Lavemaau noted that the meetings provided an important opportunity to elevate Tonga's voice on global issues affecting vulnerable island nations including the current energy crisis and El Nino impacts, while strengthening relationships with development partners.
"Tonga's message was clear: climate resilience, economic growth, and sustainable development must go hand in hand. We welcome the strong support from our partners and remain committed to reforms that will strengthen our economy, create opportunities for our people, and build a more resilient future for Tonga."
The Ministry of Finance will now progress follow-up actions arising from the meetings, including the IMF annual consultation at the end of this month, advancing climate finance initiatives, public financial management reforms, renewable energy investments, digital transformation projects, and measures that support private sector growth and employment opportunities, particularly for our youth.
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