National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to 2030.

This National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan until the year 2030 (or NBSAP) represents the framework for planned implementation of designated national objectives in terms of protection of biodiversity, as obliged by related international conventions. The NBSAP provides the overarching framework and strategic actions for biodiversity conservation in Tonga. Its Vision and Goal Statement provides overarching objectives for conservation, livelihoods and food security, sustainable economic development, and resilience to natural disasters and climate change events. The NBSAP is designed to be a living document with clearly defined objectives, strategies, and actions. It is designed not only for the conservationist, but also for the average citizen with an interest in conservation in Tonga’s biodiversity as well as its sustainable development. The basis for action in each section is designed to explain and educate readers of the key issues, and to encourage commitments to implement the prescribed actions. The NBSAP also features along each action those agencies and organizations to be responsible for implementation, monitoring and reporting.
The visions stated in this text is: “Tonga's biological diversity and natural resources are protected, conserved, enriched, appreciated, and enjoyed by her present and future generations, and the rest of the world”. The general goal defined in this text is: “By 2030, Tonga is on the path to a healthier biodiversity recovery supporting healthy ecosystems, thriving species, climate resilience, food security, livelihoods and well-being through strengthening partnerships that is inclusive for all”.
Tonga’s goal for biodiversity conservation has at its heart the quality of life and wellbeing of Tonga’s people. The NBSAP provides for the protection of people’s livelihoods and for the conservation of biodiversity. To maximise the benefits of available resources, the focus of the NBSAP is on managing the threats to forestry, marine, agrobiodiversity, and priority species, as well as the threats posed by invasive alien species. The revised NBSAP is for the period 2018–2030, but the document is meant to be dynamic and one that will be updated as more information becomes available, including the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The first NBSAP20 articulated various strategies on how to arrest the deterioration of biodiversity. Despite achievements and positive trends, the previous NBSAP 2006 did not attenuate the main drivers of biodiversity loss in Tonga. The NBSAP 5th report demonstrated the continuing decline of biodiversity in all three of its main components: genes, species, and ecosystems. The challenges and lessons learned from the earlier NBSAP and the process of developing the updated NBSAP are included in sub-section 2.2. The NBSAP is organized into key issue areas reflecting a combined emphasis on the ecosystems approach and species-specific focus including different sectors of biodiversity that we heavily depend upon for subsistence, namely Agro-Biodiversity, Forest and Marine. In that light, nine thematic areas were developed with strategies and actions to ensure that Tonga’s biodiversity is properly conserved and sustainably managed to be enjoyed by our people and future generations, as follows:. 1. Forest Ecosystem 2. Marine & Coastal Ecosystem 3. Agro-Biodiversity 4. Species Conservation 5. Invasive Alien Species 6. Local Community and Civil Society 7. Access and Benefit Sharing from the genetic resources and Traditional Ecological Knowledge 8. Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation 9. Financial Resource Mechanisms.