The President of the Camões Institute for Cooperation and Language, HE Ambassador Florbela Paraíba, received Anthony Bailey, Honorary Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic at the Institute’s headquarters in Lisbon on 27 May 2026.
The meeting was also attended by Jose Maria Morais Alexandre of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided an opportunity to review relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Portuguese Republic and to explore areas for future cooperation.
Discussions focused on several issues of importance to both countries, including the protection of the oceans, addressing the effects of climate change, development cooperation and the strengthening of intercultural relations. Particular attention was given to the participation of senior Tongan officials in Portugal’s “Bolsas Mais Mundo” programme, notably recent capacity-building initiatives in the fields of digital transformation, ocean governance and the blue economy.
The Camões Institute for Cooperation and Language is the Portuguese Government institution responsible for coordinating Portugal’s international development cooperation policy and for promoting the Portuguese language and culture throughout the world. Operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Institute manages development cooperation programmes, educational exchanges, scholarships, Portuguese language teaching, cultural diplomacy initiatives and partnerships with countries across multiple regions, including the Pacific.
During the meeting, opportunities for future collaboration were explored in a number of areas of mutual interest. These included cooperation in ocean conservation and maritime affairs through contacts with the Fundação Oceano Azul and the Atlantic Centre; cultural and heritage initiatives involving the National Museum of Ethnology; parliamentary exchanges through the Portuguese National Parliament; and opportunities for Tongans to access Portuguese language programmes offered by the Institute.
The Institute also expressed its willingness to host future cultural exhibitions at its Lisbon headquarters, providing an opportunity to showcase the history, culture and traditions of the Kingdom of Tonga to Portuguese and international audiences.
Following the meeting, Consul-General Anthony Bailey expressed his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Paraíba and her colleagues for their warm welcome and constructive discussions, noting that the meeting represented a valuable step in strengthening relations between Tonga and Portugal and identifying practical opportunities for cooperation in the fields of oceans, climate action, education, culture and development cooperation.
Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Portuguese Republic were established on 1 November 2008. The meeting forms part of the ongoing work of the Consulate-General of the Kingdom of Tonga in Portugal to deepen bilateral relations and encourage greater cooperation between the two countries.
For more information on the Camões Institute for Cooperation and Language please visit www.instituto-camoes.pt
