The Hon. Mr.  Portugal's Ambassador to the U.S., Francisco Duarte Lopes, visited the Utah State Capitol, where he was received by Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, responsible for the state's diplomatic relations, and Senator Brady Brammer (Republican).

He was accompanied by the new Consul General of Portugal and San Francisco, Dr. Filipe Ramalheira, by the Honorary Consul of Utah, Luis Camara Manoel, and by the Delegates of AICEP, Pedro Leão, and the Camões Institute for Cooperation and Language, João Caixinha.

Ambassador Lopes informed Vice Governor Henderson of the focus of his visit, which includes strengthening institutional ties with the State of Utah; visit basic and higher education institutions, under an agreement signed by the state and Camões, ICL; promote Portugal as an attractive destination for investment with the investment community; and to hold the ceremony and formal act of the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of Portugal in Utah. 

The meeting with Senator Brammer, who speaks Portuguese, focused on the teaching of the Portuguese language in the state of Utah.

Vice Governor Henderson was elected in 2020, and Senator Brammer in 2018.