he Government of Tonga showcased a decade of game‑changing reforms that have modernised whole‑of‑government ocean governance and strengthened long‑term, sustainable management of 100 percent of its ocean estate during the Australia–Pacific Ocean Business Leaders Summit held on 11–12 June.
At the Summit, Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Chief Executive Officer Sione 'Akauola outlined Tonga’s progress through Ocean7, the national coordination mechanism established by Cabinet decision in 2015 to bring together all ocean‑related ministries and agencies for unified policy, planning and decision‑making. He highlighted the Ocean Management Act 2025 and the forthcoming National Ocean Policy. He emphasised that “the ocean is not what separates us, it is what binds us,” underscoring the deep partnership between Tonga and Australia.
