Tonga’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Lord ‘Akau’ola, has officially presented his credentials to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai.
Hon. ‘Akau’ola made the presentation along with a number of other diplomats at the Qasr al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi.
He is Tonga’s first ambassador to the Gulf state.
Other ambassadors present included representatives of Switzerland, Slovakia, Cyprus, Niger, Sri Lanka, the European Union, Northern Macedonia, Italy, Latvia, Rwanda and Angola.
After the presentation of credentials by the other representatives, Hon ‘Akau’ola gave the official vote of thanks.
Members of the UAE Cabinet were at the ceremony.
The Tongan diplomatic mission has been established with the assistance of the UAE.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the king had ordered Hon. ‘Akau’ola to establish the embassy without placing any financial burden on the government of Tonga.
“Due to the close relationship between the two royal households Hon. ‘Akau’ola has managed to achieve this,” the Ministry said.
Hon. ‘Akau’ola is supported in the Tongan embassy by First Secretary Sione Sonata Tupou.
The embassy serves as the official headquarters of Tonga for Expo 2020.
A website is being developed that will provide information on the royal household, the government, tourism, trade investment and consular services.
Tonga’s new embassy in Abu Dhabi is located on Level 26 , Tower 3, Etihad Towers.
Hon. ‘Akau’ola
In an article on November 9 about the opening of the Tongan embassy in the UAE, we made reference to Hon. ‘Akau’ola’s personal financial situation.
On November 15, following the provision of updated information by the ambassador’s representatives, we were happy to correct our original story and to inform readers that all of his financial obligations had been met.
In our article of November 9 we also made certain statements about the nature of diplomatic positions which caused Hon. ‘Akau’ola concern.
Kaniva news apologises to Hon. ‘Akau’ola for any distress we may have caused.
The story on our website has been removed.
The main points
- Tonga’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Lord ‘Akau’ola, has officially presented his credentials to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai.
- Hon. ‘Akau’ola made the presentation along with a number of other diplomats at the Qasr al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi.
For more information
Tonga expands to the Middle East
