02nd October, 2019 The small South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga opened its 6th Embassy today in Abu Dhabi in the presence of His Majesty King Tupou VI and Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh. The mission is headed by resident ambassador His Excellency ‘Akau’ola.
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.” says His Excellency ‘Akau’ola, Ambassador to the UAE and Commissioner General for the Kingdom of Tonga at Expo 2020.
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’.
The Kingdom of Tonga’s participation is driven by His Majesty King Tupou VI, who can clearly see how the Expo will benefit both private and “grass roots” interests in the nation, ultimately boosting education, youth engagement and employment.
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 Tonga Pavilion will be located in the Expo’s Opportunity District and will celebrate ‘The Last Pacific Island Kingdom’, drawing attention to the vast and largely unrealised potential of the Kingdom of Tonga as a world-class destination for tourists. It will feature the islands’ unspoiled beauty, natural bounty and efforts to mitigate climate concerns, as seen through the eyes of a child. His Majesty King Tupou VI will have a presence – not just at the opening and closing ceremonies – but sitting down and engaging with potential investors and answering their questions.
One hundred and ninety two (192) countries will participate in Expo 2020, providing an unprecedented opportunity for the Kingdom of Tonga to showcase its agricultural riches and flourishing tourism industry to the world.
“Within the larger Pacific island states, Tonga probably has the least developed tourism sector. We have no five-star hotels or resorts, yet we have 176 beautiful islands – of which only 30 to 40 are populated. We have the friendliest people and, as the only kingdom in the Pacific never colonised, a unique culture” says His Excellency.
ENDS
The Kingdom of Tonga Embassy in the UAE opened on 30 September. Expo 2020 will run from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 and expects to attract 25 million visits in what will be the world’s greatest show of human brilliance and achievement.
For more information, please contact:
Joanna Bourke
Media Liaison
+ 64 21 356 515
info@tongaexpo2020.com