- Ms Jo Lomas has been appointed UK Commonwealth Envoy in
succession to Mr Philip Parham CMG who will be transferring to
another Diplomatic Service appointment.
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, FCDO Minister of State for South
Asia and the Commonwealth, has announced the appointment of Jo
Lomas as the UK’s Envoy to the Commonwealth.
Jo will lead the UK’s work as Chair-in-Office to create a fairer,
safer, more sustainable and prosperous future for the
Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion people. She will take up the role in
October 2021.
Jo has most recently served as High Commissioner to the Republic
of Rwanda and was previously High Commissioner to the Republic of
Namibia.
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, FCDO Minister of State
for South Asia and the Commonwealth, said:
“As Chair-in-Office, the UK has worked with the
Commonwealth’s other 53 members to tackle some of the biggest
global challenges, from building back better from Covid-19 to
tackling climate change.
“Jo is exceptionally well-qualified to drive this vital work
forward and I look forward to working with her as we uphold the
UK’s commitment to this unique family of nations.
“As UK Commonwealth Envoy since the Heads of Government
meeting in London in 2018, Philip Parham has played a central
role in ensuring commitments from member states on girls
education, trade, the environment and other vital issues have
been delivered. I am very grateful to him for his service.”
The UK has been Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth since the
Heads of Government Meeting in London in April 2018 and will hand
over the role to Rwanda at the next Heads of Government Meeting
in Kigali.
The UK has used its extended period as Chair-in-Office to promote
closer co-operation between Commonwealth member states on key
global issues, including COVID19, the climate crisis and access
to quality education.
For more information on the progress made during the UK’s tenure
as Chair-in-Office, see the UK Commonwealth
Chair-in-Office Report.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Jo Lomas will begin her role as UK Commonwealth Envoy on 1
October 2021.
