As part of his official visit to the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Comendador Anthony Bailey, Honorary Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, paid a courtesy visit to Horta City Hall on 29 June 2026 on the island of Faial, where he was received by His Excellency Carlos Ferreira, Mayor of Horta.
The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest and to discuss opportunities for developing closer links between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Municipality of Horta, particularly in the fields of ocean science, environmental protection, education, sustainable development and international cooperation.
Mayor Carlos Ferreira welcomed the visit and outlined the municipality’s rich maritime heritage and its strategic importance within the Azores. As the capital of Faial Island, Horta is internationally recognised for its close association with the Atlantic Ocean. The city has long served as an important crossroads for transatlantic navigation and is home to one of the world’s best-known marinas for ocean-going yachts. Horta is also the location of a number of internationally respected scientific and maritime institutions, including the University of the Azores’ OKEANOS Institute of Marine Sciences, making it an important centre for marine research, ocean conservation and the sustainable blue economy.
During the discussions, Comendador Bailey noted the many similarities shared by Tonga and the Azores. Both are island communities whose history, culture and future are intrinsically linked to the ocean. He expressed his wish to strengthen cooperation between Tonga and Horta by encouraging closer contacts between universities, marine research institutions, local authorities and organisations working in the fields of ocean governance, marine conservation, fisheries science, climate resilience and the sustainable blue economy.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Carlos Ferreira presented Comendador Bailey with the Medal of the City of Horta in recognition of his official visit. The Consul-General expressed his sincere appreciation for this distinguished honour, noting that the medal would occupy a place of honour within the Consulate-General’s collection of official civic and institutional decorations and would remain a lasting symbol of the friendship between the Municipality of Horta and the Kingdom of Tonga.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to maintaining close contact and exploring opportunities for future cooperation between the Municipality of Horta and the Kingdom of Tonga. Particular emphasis was placed on developing stronger links with Horta’s internationally recognised scientific, academic and maritime institutions through the exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practice in areas of shared importance to island nations.
The courtesy visit reflected the common understanding that, despite the geographical distance separating the Azores and the South Pacific, Horta and the Kingdom of Tonga share many of the same opportunities and challenges as island communities committed to the sustainable management of the ocean and the protection of the marine environment.
This version keeps the focus entirely on the Mayor, the Municipality of Horta, and the future Tonga–Horta relationship, while avoiding references that belong more appropriately in stories about the Regional Government or other high authorities. It also mirrors the formal style of the diplomatic news releases you have been publishing for the Consulate-General. The Consul-General was accompanied by his Personal Assistant, Mr Finn Phillips-Riggs.
