The Kingdom of Tonga has opened its 6th Embassy in Abu Dhabi in the presence of His Majesty King Tupou VI and Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh.
The new headquarters is located in Etihad Towers.
Emirates News Agency reports Nusseibeh congratulated King Tupou VI on the opening of the mission.
For his part, Akauola praised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for its efforts in facilitating the embassy’s opening, affirming the importance of this step in further developing relations between the two countries.
The move is strategic, and reflects well on the closer diplomatic ties and the deep connections that have existed over time with the Tongan royal family and the leadership of the UAE.
“The United Arab Emirates is an important stepping stone for us to cover the Middle East. We look at the UAE’s incredible vision and progressive growth since 1971 and see it as a model of development.” said ‘Akau’ola.
The establishment of the Embassy reinforces Tonga’s appreciation of the magnitude of World Expo 2020. The event will run from October 2020 for 173 days, and the Ambassador is confident that establishing the Embassy in Abu Dhabi a year ahead of the grand opening, will bolster the Kingdom’s position on the Expo stage and ensure the Kingdom nation is ready to fully engage in the ‘World’s Greatest Show’.
His Majesty King Tupou VI enthuses “The Kingdom of Tonga is a blank canvas for investors, not only from the Middle East but the rest of the world. Expo 2020 will bring the world to us – you’re going to have America, Russia, China; all these nations coming to the UAE; and that for the Kingdom of Tonga, is an opportunity not to be missed.”
The Kingdom of Tonga’s participation in Expo 2020 is driven by His Majesty King Tupou VI, who can clearly see how the Expo will benefit both private and “grassroots” interests in the nation, ultimately boosting education, youth engagement and employment.
The inauguration was attended by Saleh Ahmed Salem Al Suwaidi, the UAE's non-resident Ambassador to Tonga; Ahmed Al Hai Al Hamli, Director of the East Asia and Pacific Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Saeed Abdullah Al Qamzi, Director of the Visits Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Akauola, Ambassador of Tonga to the UAE, and a number of Tongan ambassadors to several countries, as well as a host of officials and heads of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions accredited to the country.
Photo Emirates News Agency