Her Excellency President Hilda C. Heine received a courtesy call from His Majesty King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga, who also serves as Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP). President Heine conveyed her profound honor in welcoming His Majesty in both his sovereign capacity and in his role as Chancellor, underscoring the significance of the visit and the enduring ties between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
President Heine welcomed His Majesty and reaffirmed the close friendship between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Kingdom of Tonga. The meeting highlighted the longstanding ties between the two Pacific nations, built through years of cultural, social, political, and regional engagement, and strengthened by the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 2022.
Discussions touched on key regional priorities, including climate change, resilience, and energy security. President Heine highlighted the challenges facing Pacific Island countries and reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ commitment to advancing regional cooperation on climate action, supporting the Pacific Resilience Facility, and strengthening long-term energy security through sustainable and renewable energy initiatives.
The visit further strengthened the bonds of friendship between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Kingdom of Tonga, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing regional cooperation under His Majesty’s dual capacity as Sovereign of Tonga and Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific.
Photo credit: Chewy Lin
