Nabilah S
The Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, Minister for MEIDECC, participated in the “Space for Sustainable Development Goals” event at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The event focused on how space technologies can contribute to global sustainability, with a particular emphasis on their importance for small island nations like Tonga.
During the summit, Minister ‘Utoikamanu highlighted the devastating effects of natural disasters on Tonga, including volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and cyclones. She pointed out that the 2022 volcanic eruption alone caused damages equivalent to more than 36 percent of Tonga’s GDP. Despite these challenges, the Minister commended Tonga’s resilience and stressed the importance of innovative technologies in enhancing disaster preparedness and response.
She underscored Tonga’s membership in the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters as a significant step in strengthening the nation’s disaster response capabilities. Additionally, she discussed a new project in collaboration with the United Nations and international partners, which uses satellite imagery to assess disaster risks on Tongatapu.
The summit served as a crucial platform for Tonga to advocate for stronger international partnerships in utilizing space technology to tackle climate challenges.
Minister ‘Utoikamanu expressed her gratitude to the UN and key stakeholders, urging continued collaboration in building a more resilient future for Tonga and other vulnerable nations.
