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Economic Aspects | Natural Resource Aspects | Institutional Aspects | Social Aspects |Tonga
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Central Planning Department is responsible for the overall co-ordination of sustainable development at national level, however, data collection, analysis, management and dissemination of information is the responsibility of line Ministries with the Statistics Department as the umbrella organization. These sources of information are neither collated nor co-coordinated.
There is one level of government in Tonga and this operates at the national level. This is the lowest level of government thus government ministries are the lowest level to which information management is delegated.
The Information Unit at the Prime Minister's Office is responsible for disseminating all government information through press release circulated amongst government Ministries and departments, and the media.
Decision-Making: Legislation
and Regulations
An Act to improve security amongst Government Officers and Employees had been enacted as Act 8 of 1964 which concerns the release of information by government civil servants which should seek the approval of the employee's head of department.
As system of economic and social indicators presently exists in Tonga. However, there are no environmental or institutional indicators for sustainable development. Economic and Social data are used by the Ministry of Finance and Central Planning Department in Program Budget Policy formulation and sustainable development planning respectively.
Tonga does not have a system whereby information flow is managed and there is no guiding legislation.
Decision-Making: Strategies,
Policies and Plans
Tonga has not yet developed indicators for sustainable development. There exists economic and social indicators, however, there are no indicators for the area of the environment and no overall indicators for sustainable development. As such, there is no harmonization of data at either national or international level nor a comprehensive international information network.
Decision-Making: Major
Groups involvement
The private sector is active in newspapers and TV services.
Programmes and Projects
Information is most widely disseminated through the radio and newspapers which are the most popular means of communication. Television coverage in Tonga can only be transmitted to the main island of Tongatapu where 68.5 per cent of Tonga's population live. Internet use has also been introduced, but again operates best on the main island of Tongatapu. However, costs are high thus access is restricted.
Status
No information is available
Challenges
The main challenges Tonga is facing are both technological (in terms of computers, software, equipment, printing machinery, internet facilities, etc) and also financial. Tonga does not have the financial resources to implement an effective information system at present. Technical expertise should also be considered in transferring the skills and technical know-how for the local staff.
The whole of Tonga has access to information. However, there is a great need to improve the efficiency for telephone and internet. Hurricane seasons (November - March), destabilizes the outer islands thus, there is great need or improved information access.
There is a need to develop indicators for sustainable development, and this will require capacity-building and training in this area as well as a system whereby efforts can be co-coordinated.
Capacity-building, Education, Training
and Awareness-raising
Capacity-building of information related to traditional and indigenous knowledge is an area of great activity in Tonga. Knowledge and practice in the area of traditional medicine, oral history are examples of issues where there is organized approach for their preservation.
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
The Development Coordination Committee ensures that investment is distributed evenly in different sectors and that it is within the government priorities. High Level Consultations are also held between the Tonga Government and bilateral aid donors to consider allocations for areas of investment that is seen as a priority.
In order to attract foreign investment, the Ministry of Labor, Commerce and Industries coordinates the implementation of the Industrial Development Incentive and foreign in certain sectors namely manufacturing, Tourism, Fisheries and Agriculture.
Cooperation
No information is available
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This information was provided by the Government of Tonga to the 9th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: April 2001.
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