LocationsVava’u Leads the Way: Tonga’s Bold Step Toward a Sustainable Future
July 1, 2025
Vaipua Channel in Vava'u, Tonga.
Vava’u, a small island in the Kingdom of Tonga, is one of nature’s most beautifully crafted places. From the summit of Mt Talau, the island’s highest point, the vibrant hues of the water stretch into the horizon — a mesmerising blend of deep blues and shimmering greens. But beneath this breathtaking beauty lies a growing threat: the unrelenting march of climate change.
In response, the Government of Tonga has launched Phase II of the Ridge to Reef (R2R) Project in Vava’u — a milestone initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project signals Tonga’s deepening commitment to integrated environmental management and sustainable development.
Coinciding with global momentum from the third UN Ocean Conference, the launch underscores Tonga’s role as a Pacific leader in aligning local action with international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Aerial view of the Vaipua Channel in Vava'u, Tonga where the Ridge to Reef Phase II project is implemented.
Community at the Heart of Conservation
Sailing through the Vaipua Channel, over glassy blue waters framed by mangroves, visitors pass Marine Protected Areas near Lualoli, Maninita, and Taula. Around Taoa Village, opportunities for eco-tourism and reef restoration reflect a central truth of the R2R initiative: community-led conservation is key to resilience.
The project’s focus on restoring both marine and terrestrial ecosystems — and promoting sustainable livelihoods — enhances Vava’u’s appeal to environmentally conscious travellers. But more importantly, it secures a future for those who call the island home.
“When the launch came to Vava’u, it felt like the world was finally seeing what we’ve always known — that our land and ocean are sacred,” says Siu Latu, 57, a housewife and women’s group representative from Vaipua.
UNDP Pacific Office Resident Representative Ms Munkhtuya Altangerel with students in Vava'u, Tonga.
“We feel a deep sense of ownership and hope, not just for today but for our children’s future.”
That hope is embodied in this next phase of Ridge to Reef, which aims to protect and restore Vava’u’s ecosystems — from its forested ridges to its vibrant coral reefs — while improving the lives of the island’s 15,000 residents.
A Living Connection Between Land and Sea
After spending several days in Vava’u, the signs of environmental change were subtle but real. On the bridge over the Vaipua Channel, children splashed in the shallows, their laughter ringing through the salty air. With the success of this project, perhaps these same children will grow up with cleaner water, healthier reefs, and stronger livelihoods.
Mangrove plants in Vava'u, Tonga.
That’s the kind of hope this initiative is quietly planting — steadily, like the mangroves that line the shore and hold the island together. Just as mangroves connect land and sea, the Ridge to Reef project is designed to connect ecosystems, communities, and generations.
Implemented by Tonga’s Department of Environment, the initiative adopts a holistic approach to environmental governance. It integrates land, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems into a unified framework to address root causes of degradation — including deforestation, poor land-use practices, and unregulated coastal development.
Yet for the people of Vava’u, this is more than an environmental programme — it’s a lifeline.
“This project will create opportunities for our youth, empower women in traditional weaving and handicrafts, and ensure sustainable fishing,” says Hopoate Latu, 58, a local farmer and youth leader.
“Vaipua will become a model for all of Vava’u — blessed with bountiful marine life and farming.”
Women of Vava'u weaving traditional mats.
Siosiua Fehoko, 38, emphasises the project’s economic importance for local women:
“Fishing, weaving, farming — they are our lifelines. By following the project’s guidance, we’re protecting them for our children.”
Meleane Latu, 22, adds a generational perspective: “The ocean paid for our education,” she says. “Now we must protect it. Youth in our communities need to understand conservation so we can invest in our families’ futures.”
Reviving Fangauta Lagoon
Beyond Vava’u, the project’s reach includes strategic interventions in Fangauta Lagoon, a vital urban ecosystem in Tonga’s capital under pressure from sedimentation and pollution.
Here, the project will pilot nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration, sustainable land-use practices, and targeted dredging to improve water flow and biodiversity. These efforts aim to restore critical habitats, improve water quality, and unlock new opportunities in eco-tourism and fisheries — complementing existing community-led initiatives and supporting Tonga’s National Biodiversity Strategy.
Shaping a Legacy
Tonga’s Ridge to Reef Phase II is more than a local intervention — it’s a powerful Pacific voice in the global conversation on ocean governance. At the recent UN Ocean Conference, the urgent need to support Small Island Developing States like Tonga was clear: through targeted finance, knowledge sharing, and nature-based solutions, SIDS can lead the way in protecting the planet’s blue heart.
The project exemplifies the Blue Pacific Continent vision — where ocean health, climate action, and sustainable development are inseparable. With Phase II now underway, Tonga is not only restoring ecosystems but also reaffirming its role as a custodian of the ocean.
Vava'u sunset.
As the sun sets over Vava’u, casting a golden glow across the land and sea, the laughter of children playing by the water echoes along the shore. Their joy is more than a moment of happiness. It’s a call to action.
This isn’t just about reefs or ridges — it’s about safeguarding a legacy. It’s about ensuring that tomorrow’s generation inherits not just land and sea, but the stories, strength, and spirit of a people who have chosen to protect what they love.
In the quiet rhythm of the waves and the whisper of the mangroves, Tonga is writing a new chapter — one of resilience, unity, and hope.
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