Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho attended a reception held by Australian Foreign Minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, for the women Ambassador in Canberra on October 22.

The event was an opportunity for the ambassadors to meet and dialogue with female Members of the Australian Parliament and Senate on issues of importance, particularly the empowerment of women. Also attending was the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP.

There are 14 female Ambassadors accredited in Canberra, out of a total of 103 Ambassadors.

Hon Julie Bishop and the Princess
Hon Julie Bishop and the Princess

“Women empowerment and gender balancing concerns are pressing issues the Princess has advocated for since she took up the ambassadorial role in August 2012.

“Australia is the largest bilateral grant donor to Tonga with an aid budget of AUD$30.3 million for 2014/2015.

“Australia works closely with the Government of Tonga to deliver on the strategic objectives of the Partnership for Development. The Partnership is a joint Tonga–Australia agreement to reduce poverty, promote economic opportunities and improve the lives of the people of Tonga”.