This reflects the ‘Global Ireland’ ambition to double Ireland’s impact in the world by 2025 with the continued expansion of Ireland’s overseas network.
On the recommendation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., the Government today approved 22 Ambassadorial level nominations from currently serving staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs to be appointed in 2022, subject to agreement by the receiving States.
The Government also took note of the appointment of 9 Consuls General to be appointed in the UK, US, India, Canada and France.
Of the 22 Ambassadorial and senior-level nominations, 11 are women and 11 are men. Including Consuls General appointed, today’s announcement brings to 18 the number of women taking up Head of Mission roles in 2022 out of a total of 31. Once all these appointments to bilateral and multilateral missions are in place in 2022, the percentage of female Heads of Mission will be 46%, up from 36% one year ago.
These decisions include the appointment of Heads of Mission for the opening of the four new Missions in 2022: an Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, and Consulates General in Miami, Lyon and Toronto.
Across the regions, two Ambassadors have been nominated in Africa, one in the Americas, five in the Asia Pacific region, seven in Europe and four in the Middle East and North Africa region. The Ambassadors nominated for appointment in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates will take on coordination functions for the Missions in the South-East Asia and Middle East and North Africa regions, respectively.
Commenting on the nominations, Minister Coveney said:
“I welcome these new appointments which are a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to deliver on the ambition of the Global Ireland programme by expanding our global footprint with the planned opening of four new Missions. This will bring to 18 the total number of new Missions opened under the Global Ireland initiative by the end of 2022.
I am thankful to the men and women who represent Ireland throughout the world with such professionalism, loyalty and commitment. At a time of great international challenges – such as the ongoing Covid pandemic, I have seen the value of the work they do in order to support Irish citizens abroad and promote Ireland’s recovery through effective international engagement.
I am also pleased to see the ongoing efforts by the Department of Foreign Affairs in its efforts to reach an improved gender balance in senior-level positions both at headquarters and at our Missions abroad.”