Ambassadors and High Commissioners from over 95 countries (and diplomats from over 120 countries) attended the Tata DIPLOMAT magazine 2017 annual Awards Ceremony in the glorious surroundings of the Ballroom at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower on Monday 24 April. DIPLOMAT presented 10 awards to some of the most influential diplomats based in the UK. The 200-plus guests were treated to a champagne reception and canapés prepared by the hotel chefs.

In its ninth year, the awards ceremony recognises the outstanding work and achievements of London’s diplomatic community, who are trying to better their nations’ well-being. DIPLOMAT magazine identified 10 categories that recognise different levels of diplomacy, and winners were nominated by their peers.  The evening welcomed the massed ranks of London’s diplomatic corps, at what has become a key date in the capital’s diplomatic calendar. BBC Diplomatic Correspondent James Landale was the Master of Ceremonies who performed with immense slickness and wit.

The headline sponsor for the evening for the second year was Tata Ltd, along with category sponsorship from Jumeirah Carlton Tower, International Diplomatic Supplies, Stirling University and Loughborough University’s Academy of Diplomacy & Governance. Cleave and Co. produced the unique awards for the winners for the eighth year running and International Diplomatic Supplies the champagne and wines.

Tata Ltd’s Head of UK Public Affairs Alexander Ehmann said: “We are delighted to see so many leading figures in the world of international diplomacy… As the UK and EU look to negotiate a new relationship in the coming years, Tata is committed to remaining a firm part of the economic fabric of the entire region, building on our presence and partnerships from the past 110 years. We value these relationships that we’ve cultivated with many of your respective nations and believe that Tata has a great deal to bring to the international community of both consumers and businesses in the twenty-first century.”

James Landale likened the winner of the ‘Distinguished Contribution to Diplomacy in London’ award, to “those popstars or politicians that everyone knows by their first name.” There were huge cheers when the name of the High Commissioner for Cyprus, Euripides L. Evriviades’s was announced. The High Commissioner said: “Diplomacy and its discourse are needed more than ever in this highly globalised, fragmented and dangerous world. We can and should make a difference, have relevance, but above all effectiveness, only if we adapt…to the ever-changing landscape in order to address challenges and answer questions including post-truth politics and the politics of fear.”

With over 180 diplomatic missions, a posting in London remains one of the highlights of any diplomat’s career. DIPLOMAT’s Editor, Venetia de Blocq van Kuffeler, said: “As the global centre for diplomacy, London has become more important than ever. This is an award ceremony for diplomats, with the award-winners chosen by diplomats. This evening is about hard work and technique; it’s about people and professionalism.”

AWARD WINNERS:

2017 Diplomat of the Year from the Middle East

His Excellency Mr Nasser Kamel, Ambassador of Egypt

2017 Diplomat of the Year from Africa

His Excellency Mr Lazarus O. Amayo, High Commissioner for Kenya

2017 Diplomat of the Year from Asia

H.E. Major General (Rtd) Dato Haji Aminuddin Ihsan Bin Pehin Dato Haji Abidin, High Commissioner for Brunei

2017 Diplomat of the Year from Eurasia

Her Excellency Mrs Tamar Beruchashvili, Ambassador of Georgia

2017 Diplomat of the Year from Europe

His Excellency Mr Lubomír Rehák, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic

2017 Diplomat of the Year from North America & the Caribbean

His Excellency Mr Acisclo Valladares Molina, Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala

2017 Diplomat of the Year from Central & South America

His Excellency Dr Néstor Osorio, Ambassador of Colombia

2017 Contribution to a Better Cultural Understanding among Nations Accredited to the Court of St James’s

EUNIC (the European Union National Institutes of Culture)

2017 Young Diplomat of the Year

Mahvash Siddiqui, Environment, Science, Technology and

Health Officer at the US Embassy

2017 Distinguished Contribution to Diplomacy in London

His Excellency Euripides L. Evriviades, High Commissioner

for the Republic of Cyprus

For enquiries contact Venetia de Blocq van Kuffeler on E: info@diplomatmagazine.com

www.diplomatmagazine.com