During October 2026, the Hon. Consul-General of the Kingdom of Tonga to Portugal, Comendador Anthony Bailey, attended a number of diplomatic, institutional and cultural engagements in Lisbon and the surrounding region, including national day celebrations, cultural events and a conference on maritime security.
Archive-Museum of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Ericeira
On 6 October 2026, Comendador Anthony Bailey attended the official opening of the exhibition D. Manuel II e a Última Viagem Real at the Archive-Museum of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Ericeira. The inauguration was presided over by HRH The Duke of Braganza, Head of the Portuguese Royal House.
The exhibition commemorated the departure of Portugal’s last reigning monarch, King Manuel II, from Ericeira on 5 October 1910, following the revolution that brought an end to the ancient Portuguese monarchy. Featuring historical photographs, documents and royal memorabilia, it offered an insight into the final days of the 770 year monarchy and the King’s subsequent departure into exile in England. The exiled King died in 1932 aged just 42 and but was grant a full State Funeral by order of the Portuguese republican government in Lisbon during the same year.
Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Ericeira | Facebook | Exhibition article
#Ericeira #DomManuelII #DukeOfBraganza #Tonga #PortugueseRoyalHouse
Game Changers Forum with President Barack Obama
On 10 October 2026, Comendador Bailey attended the sixth Game Changers Forum at Lisbon’s MEO Arena, featuring former United States President Barack Obama.
The international gathering brought together leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators to discuss leadership, global challenges and the future of society. President Obama’s participation provided an opportunity to consider international affairs and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
#GameChangersForum #BarackObama #Lisbon #Leadership #Tonga
Shall We Talk About Politics? book launch
On 14 October 2026, Comendador Bailey attended the presentation of Vamos Falar de Política? (Shall We Talk About Politics?), the first book by Portuguese author João Roque, published by Creative Books, at the historic Escola Maria Amália Vaz de Carvalho in Lisbon.
The event was also attended by Daniel Gonçalves, President of the Junta de Freguesia de Avenidas Novas; Luís Filipe Santos, Director-General of Books, Archives and Libraries; and members of the Portuguese Parliament.
The book seeks to make politics and democratic institutions more accessible, particularly to younger generations preparing to vote for the first time, encouraging independent thinking, informed debate and civic participation.
As a Pacific constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, Tonga has undertaken significant democratic reforms, particularly in 2010, when the Kingdom introduced a parliamentary system with a majority of elected representatives. Political education and participation among younger generations are therefore subjects of continuing relevance to Tonga.
Junta de Freguesia – Official report and photographs | Instagram | Facebook
#JoaoRoque #VamosFalarDePolitica #Tonga #Democracy #YouthEngagement
Hungarian National Day Reception in Lisbon
On 20 October 2026, Comendador Bailey attended the Hungarian National Day reception hosted by HE Dr Emília Fábián, Ambassador of Hungary to Portugal, in the auditorium of the National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches) in Belém, Lisbon.
The reception commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The programme included a piano recital by Hungarian pianist Zoltán Thurzó, featuring works by Chopin, Liszt, Schubert and Kodály, together with the National Anthems of Hungary and Portugal and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the European anthem.
Tonga and Hungary established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2011, following a visit to Nuku’alofa by Archduke Georg von Habsburg, Special Envoy of the Hungarian Government.
Later that year, HM King George Tupou V paid a working visit to Hungary, during which he was received by President Pál Schmitt and awarded the Collar of the Hungarian Order of Merit.
Hungary’s diplomatic representation to Tonga is managed through its Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.
Comendador Bailey, who has maintained close personal and professional associations with Hungary since 1990, was appointed an Officer of the Hungarian Order of Merit in 2013.
Embassy of Hungary in Portugal | Embassy of Hungary in Wellington | National Coach Museum | Consulate-General report on Tonga–Hungary relations
#Hungary1956 #HungarianNationalDay #Tonga #Hungary #Diplomacy
Kosovo–South Africa Cultural Production in Lisbon
During October 2026, Comendador Bailey also attended events associated with Kosovo’s cultural programme in Lisbon, including a performance of Under the Shade of a Tree I Sat and Wept at São Luiz Teatro Municipal, presented between 23 and 25 October.
Written by Kosovo playwright Jeton Neziraj, directed by Blerta Neziraj and developed with South African dramaturg Greg Homann, the production explored reconciliation through two historic experiences: Kosovo’s campaign to end blood feuds in 1990 and South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission following the end of apartheid.
The production examined how communities affected by conflict and division have sought reconciliation, highlighting the contribution of theatre to international cultural dialogue.
The event also provided an opportunity to maintain contact with Kosovo’s diplomatic and cultural community in Portugal, following Comendador Bailey’s meeting in June 2026 with HE Dr Edona Maloku Bërdyna, Ambassador of Kosovo to Portugal.
São Luiz Teatro Municipal – Production details | Embassy of Kosovo in Portugal | Embassy Facebook search | Ambassador Edona Maloku – Facebook search
#Kosovo #SouthAfrica #TeatroSaoLuiz #CulturalDiplomacy #Tonga
Austrian National Day Celebrations
Comendador Bailey also attended celebrations marking Austrian National Day, officially observed on 26 October 2026, commemorating Austria’s declaration of permanent neutrality in 1955.
The occasion provided an opportunity to meet HE Ulrike Ritzinger, Austria’s Ambassador to Portugal, who presented her Letters of Credence on 27 July 2026, and to renew contacts with members of the Austrian diplomatic community.
Austria’s Ambassador to Tonga, HE Elisabeth Kögler, is resident in Canberra, Australia, where she also serves as Ambassador to Australia and is concurrently accredited to several Pacific countries. She presented her Letters of Credence to HM King Tupou VI at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa on 16 April 2024.
During her visit, Ambassador Kögler met Acting Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu and discussed climate resilience, international cooperation, trade and investment.
A further high-level visit took place in September 2025, when Austrian Special Envoy and former European Commissioner Dr Johannes Hahn visited Tonga, accompanied by Ambassador Kögler. The delegation met RH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke, Deputy Prime Minister Taniela Fusimalohi and senior government officials.
Discussions focused on climate change, regional security, renewable energy and opportunities for cooperation. Austria has also provided €1 million in support of the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, headquartered in Tonga, which promotes sustainable energy development throughout the Pacific.
Austrian Embassy in Portugal | Ambassador Ulrike Ritzinger | Austrian Ambassador to Tonga – Canberra | Presentation of credentials in Tonga | Embassy Facebook
#AustriaTonga #AustrianNationalDay #Tonga #RenewableEnergy #Diplomacy
VIII Atlantic Centre Seminar on Blue Crime
On 28 October 2026, Comendador Bailey attended the VIII Atlantic Centre Seminar, Blue Crime: Transnational Challenges in the Atlantic, held at the National Defence Institute in Lisbon.
The seminar brought together defence officials, academics and maritime security experts to examine illegal fishing, piracy, trafficking, environmental crime and other threats affecting maritime security and ocean governance.
The event followed Comendador Bailey’s earlier official visit to the Atlantic Centre on 23 June 2026, when he met Rear Admiral Nuno de Noronha Bragança, Coordinator of the Centre, and Francisco de Arantes e Oliveira, Senior Policy Adviser, to discuss opportunities for cooperation between the Atlantic and Pacific regions.
For Tonga, whose maritime domain extends across approximately 700,000 square kilometres, the protection of marine resources and the prevention of illegal activities at sea are major national priorities.
The seminar addressed areas of particular relevance to Tonga, including maritime surveillance, capacity-building, sustainable fisheries and international cooperation against transnational maritime crime.
Atlantic Centre – Official website | Facebook | Earlier Consulate-General visit
#AtlanticCentre #BlueCrime #MaritimeSecurity #Tonga #OceanGovernance
Embassy of Ireland celebration and the Irish origins of Halloween
On 30 October 2026, Comendador Bailey attended Halloween celebrations at the Mercado da Vila in Cascais, organised with the support of the Embassy of Ireland in Portugal.
The event celebrated the Irish origins of Halloween, tracing its traditions to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Activities included music, storytelling, family entertainment and traditional Irish food, including Barmbrack.
Tonga and Ireland established diplomatic relations on 27 July 2021, although historical contacts between the two countries date back considerably further. In 1953, HM Queen Sālote Tupou III visited Ireland, including Kylemore Abbey in County Galway, during her travels in Europe.
Ireland’s diplomatic representation to Tonga is managed through its Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand. In July 2024, Comendador Bailey visited the Embassy in Wellington, where he met Paul O’Hara, then Chargé d’Affaires, to discuss relations between Ireland and Tonga. At that time, Ireland was preparing to accredit its first Ambassador to the Kingdom.
The two countries maintain shared interests in climate change, international cooperation and rugby.
Embassy of Ireland – Instagram and Facebook | Embassy of Ireland in Wellington | Consulate-General visit to Wellington
#Ireland #Halloween2026 #Cascais #IrishCulture #Tonga
