Country Profiles

Disclaimer

The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or any area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

(*) A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Remark:
Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Main References


NOTE: Visitors to the CBD website are advised to consult section VII of the sixth national report for updated information on the themes contained in the country profile below.

Biodiversity Facts

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

The Kingdom of Tonga comprises 171 islands (some coral and some volcanic) located in the South Pacific Ocean, of which about 37 are inhabited. Although the total land area of the country is only about 700 km2, its territorial waters cover about 700,000 km2... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Pressures on biodiversity include, among others, the lack of and/or absence of management plans for the conservation and protection of endemic species; uncontrolled and illegal harvesting of resources; encroachment; invasive species; the use of pesticide and fertilizer in agriculture; pollution and eutrophication... More »

Measures to Enhance Implementation of the Convention

Implementation of the NBSAP

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Tonga adopted its first NBSAP in 2006. To date, of the NBSAP’s 37 objectives, progress in relation to 5 (14%) objectives pertaining to ABS and financial resources is considered unsatisfactory; 24 (65%) objectives related to the forest ecosystem, marine ecosystem, agro ecosystem, species conservation, mainstreaming and financial resources are in progress; while progress in regard to 8 (21%) objectives pertaining to local communities and civil society, mainstreaming, the marine ecosystem and financial resources is deemed satisfactory... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

To date, most progress has been made regarding the achievement of Aichi Targets 10 (Pressures on vulnerable ecosystems reduced), 11 (Protected Areas) and 17 (NBSAPs adopted as a policy instrument), while no progress has been made in regard to Aichi Target 16 (Nagoya Protocol)... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

The following legislation, policies and plans exist to support CBD implementation in Tonga however enforcement is weak due to lack of staffing and financing for operations... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

The monitoring programme for protected areas and biodiversity conservation activities in Tonga is very weak due to lack of financial support from the Government... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Hon. Mr. Poasi Mataele Tei
CBD Primary NFP
Mr. Paula Ma'u
CBD Primary NFP, Protected Areas NFP, GSPC NFP
Ms. Fononga Vainga Ofaloto
CEPA Informal Advisory Committee
Ms. Atelaite Lupe Matoto
Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mr. Paula Ma'u
Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
Mr. Siosiua Latu
BCH NFP