Relations between Switzerland and Tonga are good. The trade volume between Switzerland and this sparsely populated Pacific island nation is negligible.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Tonga
Key aspects of relations
Switzerland cooperates with all the Pacific island states along these four axes:
- International Geneva: Switzerland provides all Pacific island states with financial and logistical support to open permanent missions to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva. This enables these micro-states to voice their concerns and interests within the international community.
- Multilateral organisations: through organisations such as the Asian Development Bank, the Green Climate Fund and others, the Pacific region benefits indirectly from Swiss financial contributions, particularly in the area of climate change.
- Specific projects in the fields of human security, human rights and humanitarian aid: Switzerland operates a humanitarian aid centre in Bangkok capable of providing emergency assistance to the Pacific states in the event of natural disasters such as cyclones.
- Small-scale projects are implemented with the support of the Swiss embassies in Wellington, Canberra and Manila.
The Swiss embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, handles diplomatic relations with Tonga. Relations are limited to ad hoc contacts and cooperation within a multilateral framework.
Cooperation in the domain of education
Scholars and artists from Tonga can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars, SERI
Swiss nationals in Tonga
At the end of 2021, there were 9 Swiss citizens living in Tonga.
History of bilateral relations
The universality of Switzerland’s foreign policy led it to establish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Tonga in 1985.
