During the period March to May 2026, Anthony Bailey, Hon Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, participated in a range of diplomatic, cultural, religious and institutional activities in support of the Kingdom of Tonga and its relations with Portugal and further afield.
Meeting with Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
On 8 March 2026, the Hon Consul-General Anthony Bailey met Ferdinand von Habsburg-Lorraine, future Head of the Imperial and Royal House of Habsburg-Lorraine, at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia in Cascais.
The meeting provided an opportunity to renew a longstanding friendship and discuss matters of mutual interest with Tong recalling the attendance of his father and uncle Archduke Karl von Habsburg and Archduke Georg von Habsburg at the Coronation of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu in Nukuʻalofa on 4 July 2015.
St Patrick’s Day Reception
On 17 March 2026, the Consul-General Anthony Bailey attended a reception marking Ireland’s National Day at the invitation of H.E. Ambassador Alma Ní Choigligh. The reception was held at the Ambassador’s Residence in Restelo, Lisbon.
The Kingdom of Tonga and Ireland established diplomatic relations in 2023. The reception provided an opportunity to engage with members of the diplomatic corps and the Irish community in Portugal while promoting awareness of the Kingdom of Tonga.
The Consul-General, himself an Irish national, also recalled his own visit in December 2025 to Kylemore Abbey in County Galway. The Abbey was visited by Her late Majesty Queen Sālote Tupou III during her visit to Ireland in 1953, providing a historic link between Tonga and Ireland that predates formal diplomatic relations by many decades.
Tsunami Warning and Alert System Presentation by the City of Lisbon
On 20 March 2026, the Hon Consul-General Anthony Bailey attended the presentation of Lisbon’s Tsunami Warning and Alert System at Lisbon City Hall, at the invitation of Rodrigo Melo Gonçalves, Councillor for Civil Protection of the Municipality of Lisbon, as part of activities marking International Civil Protection Day.
The event examined emergency preparedness, public warning systems and disaster response planning. The subject is of particular relevance to Tonga as a Pacific island nation situated within a region of significant seismic and volcanic activity.
The presentation provided an opportunity to exchange views on emergency planning and community resilience. Tonga has experienced a number of major tsunami events, most recently following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano on 15 January 2022. The eruption generated a tsunami across the Kingdom, resulting in loss of life, widespread damage to homes and infrastructure, and severe disruption to communications. The disaster reinforced the importance of effective warning systems, public awareness and international cooperation in disaster management.
Tonga Consul-General Meeting with the Ambassador of Tuvalu for Climate Change
During March, the Hon Consul-General Anthony Bailey met H.E. Shiv Shankar, Ambassador-at-Large of Tuvalu for Oceans and Climate Change, Special Envoy to the Commonwealth, and Permanent Representative of Tuvalu to UNESCO. In these capacities the Ambassador has been actively engaged in promoting the interests of Tuvalu and other Small Island Developing States in international forums, particularly on issues relating to climate change, ocean governance and sustainable development.
Discussions focused on matters of common concern to Pacific island nations, including climate resilience, maritime affairs, sustainable fisheries, ocean governance, international cooperation and regional development.
The Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu enjoy a particularly close relationship. Both countries are members of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Commonwealth of Nations and numerous regional organisations, and regularly work together on issues affecting the Pacific region.
Relations between the two countries date from Tuvalu’s independence in 1978 and the subsequent establishment of diplomatic relations. As two Pacific Small Island Developing States, Tonga and Tuvalu share many common interests and challenges, including climate resilience, maritime governance, sustainable fisheries, connectivity and economic development.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on developments within the Pacific region and to reaffirm the longstanding friendship between the peoples and governments of Tonga and Tuvalu. Both nations remain among the Pacific’s most active voices on issues relating to climate change, ocean protection and sustainable development, and continue to work closely together within regional and international organisations.
Tonga Consul-General visits the Embassy of France in Lisbon
On 14 April 2026, the Hon Consul-General Anthony Bailey met Mr Mathieu Jagour, Chargé d’Affaires of the French Republic in Portugal, at the Embassy of France in Lisbon.
The Kingdom of Tonga and the French Republic established diplomatic relations in 1976. Discussions focused on developments in the Pacific region, bilateral relations and areas of mutual interest.
France remains one of Tonga’s important partners in the Pacific through its territories and collectivities of New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna. Wallis and Futuna, located immediately to the north-west of Tonga, is one of the Kingdom’s closest international neighbours and shares longstanding historical, cultural and family links with Tonga. Historical, cultural and family links between Tonga and Wallis and Futuna continue to contribute to the close relationship between the peoples of the two territories.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss regional developments and the importance of cooperation among Pacific nations and territories. Relations between Tonga and France have been strengthened over many years through diplomatic contacts, regional cooperation and high-level exchanges.
Consul-General attends Easter celebrations in Veiros
During the Easter period, the Hon Consul-General Anthony Bailey spent time in the historic village of Veiros, Alentejo, participating in local religious celebrations and community events.
Among the churches visited were the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora das Relíquias and the Igreja da Misericórdia de Veiros. The Easter celebrations included traditional religious ceremonies and processions which form an important part of the cultural and spiritual life of the community.
The visit provided an opportunity to reflect and promote the enduring importance of Christianity in both Portugal and Tonga. Faith continues to play a central role in Tongan society and remains a cornerstone of community life throughout the Kingdom.
Meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Portugal
The Consul-General Anthony Bailey met the Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. HE Archbishop Andrés Carrascosa Coso.
Discussions reflected upon relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Holy See, which established diplomatic relations in 1977, as well as the important role of the Catholic Church within Tonga and the wider Pacific region.
Particular reference was made to the Consistory of 14 February 2015, at which Bishop Soane Patita Paini Mafi became Tonga’s first Cardinal. Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu travelled to Rome for the occasion, marking an historic moment for the Catholic community in Tonga. His late Majesty King George V Tupou also paid an official visit to the Pope Benedict XVI in 2015.
The meeting also recalled the audiences granted by Pope Francis to Their Majesties and the longstanding friendship between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Holy See.
Tonga Consul-General attends Cultural Engagement in City of Lisbon
On 17 May 2026, at the invitation of the Mayor of Lisbon, the Consul-General Anthony Bailey attended a performance of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, presented by the magnificent Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra at the Aula Magna of the University of Lisbon as part of the Lisboa Cultura programme and the Orchestra’s tenth anniversary celebrations.
The concert formed part of Lisbon’s cultural programme and brought together representatives of public life, the diplomatic corps and the wider community.
Tonga Consul-General attends Commemoration of the Nakba
On 20 May 2026, the Consul-General Anthony Bailey attended the commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the Nakba, organised by the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Portugal in cooperation with the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon.
The programme included discussions on international law and a screening of the documentary Aida Returns. The event provided an opportunity to engage with members of the diplomatic community, representatives of academia and civil society on issues of international concern.
Tonga Consul General attends luncheon for COP31 and Small Island Developing States
On 26 May 2026, the Consul-General Anthony Bailey attended a luncheon hosted by H.E. Helen Cheney, Ambassador of Australia to Portugal, at the Downunder Restaurant in Lisbon.
The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, including ambassadors and representatives of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe and Türkiye.
The principal guest speaker was Mr Liam Cosgrave, Australian Counsellor for Climate Change (Africa), who provided an overview of preparations for COP31 and issues affecting Small Island Developing States.
Discussions focused on climate change, ocean governance, resilience, adaptation and the particular challenges facing island nations. Particular attention was given to the concerns of Pacific countries, including the Kingdom of Tonga, which remains active in international discussions concerning climate resilience and sustainable development.
The luncheon also highlighted preparations for COP31 and cooperation between Australia and Türkiye in relation to the conference. Senior representatives of the Turkish Embassy in Lisbon participated in the discussions, reflecting the importance of international cooperation in addressing global climate challenges.
The Kingdom of Tonga and Australia established diplomatic relations on 13 January 1970 and have enjoyed a close and productive partnership for more than five decades. Australia remains one of Tonga’s most important regional partners and has long supported the Kingdom in areas including education, development assistance, security cooperation, disaster response, climate resilience and regional engagement.
The discussion also provided an opportunity to reflect upon Tonga’s growing relations with the Republic of Türkiye, with which diplomatic relations were established on 27 May 2020.
Sweden National Day Reception
During May, the Consul-General Anthony Bailey attended celebrations marking Sweden’s National Day at the invitation of the Swedish Ambassador to Portugal H.E. Charlotte Wrangberg at her official Residence in Lisbon.
The Kingdom of Tonga and the Kingdom of Sweden established diplomatic relations in 1975 and have enjoyed friendly relations ever since.
The celebrations took place shortly after the 80th birthday of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden on 30 April 2026. The Swedish monarch has reigned since 15 September 1973 and is one of Europe’s longest-serving monarchs. The occasion therefore carried particular significance during a year of national celebration in Sweden.
Throughout the period, the Consulate-General continued to expand its public outreach activities, including the development of its official website, while promoting relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Portuguese Republic through diplomatic, cultural and institutional engagement.
