Nuku’alofa, Tonga (September 27, 2024) – Tonga has taken a significant step towards sustainable development with the successful completion of a three days’ workshop on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). This initiative reflects Tonga’s dedication to fostering a balanced and sustainable future for its citizens and the environment.
The workshop, hosted by the Tonga Statistics Department in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), brought together key government agencies and experts to explore the potential of SEEA in informing policymaking and driving sustainable development. Participants from ministries including Planning, Finance Policy and Budget, Environment, Energy, Agriculture, Forest and Food, and representatives from the World Bank projects – SPREP, TSRSP, and TCRTP, gained valuable insights into SEEA and its applications.
The workshop focused on improving Tonga’s energy balances and related statistics, and prioritizing the compilation of land accounts, as they reflected the country’s specific needs and priorities in line with the Government Priority Areas (GPA). The workshop highlighted the crucial role of land accounts as a foundation for developing ecosystem accounts, which are essential for understanding the contribution of the environment and ecosystems to the country’s sustainable development and livelihoods of Tongans.
With the technical expertise of ESCAP and the support of the World Bank through the Statistical Innovation and Capacity Building for Tonga (SICBT) Project, Tonga is well-positioned to implement SEEA and harness its benefits for sustainable development. By quantifying the interactions between the economy and the environment, SEEA will provide valuable data for informed decision-making and a more sustainable future for Tonga.
For further information, please contact:
Gurtegh Singh
Acting Assistant Government Statistician
Economics Statistics
Tonga Statistics Department
gsingh@stats.gov.to
+676 23-300