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H. E. Ambassador Paul Beresford-Hill met with H.E. Viliami Va’inga Tōnē, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations

H. E. Ambassador Paul Beresford-Hill met with H.E. Viliami Va’inga Tōnē, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations
27/02/2024

Ambassador Beresford-Hill provided Ambassador Tōnē with an overview of the Order’s history, diplomatic engagements, and role as an international humanitarian actor. Ambassador Tōnē expressed interest in the Order’s activities, highlighting Tonga’s alignment with the Order’s concerns regarding current environmental threats, specifically emphasizing the potential implications for the sovereignty of states vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise, and drew attention to the forthcoming UN summit addressing these challenges. Highlighting Tonga’s upcoming chairmanship of the Pacific Islands Forum, Ambassador Tōnē emphasized the importance of seamless transitions and collaboration among Pacific nations.

Both Ambassadors recognized the resilience derived from religious values, agreeing on their significance in shaping national identities. Ambassador Tone expressed admiration for how we kept our identity throughout the centuries and both Ambassadors agreed that religious values formed the basis for that resilience. Ambassador Tone expressed faith that the same Christian faith will provide that same National Resilience for the Tongan diaspora.