Ambassadors and High Commissioners from over 95 countries (and diplomats from over 120 countries) attended the DIPLOMAT magazine 2019 annual Awards Ceremony in the Ballroom of the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in Knightsbridge on Monday 29 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 eleventh 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.

Sponsors were Glasgow Caledonian University, International Diplomatic Supplies, Burke Bros Moving Group and Jumeirah Carlton Tower. Royal warrant holders’ Cleave & Co. produced the unique awards for the winners. For the second year, the Awards partnered with charity Football for Peace, a diplomatic movement supported by the Duke of Cambridge to create dialogue and understanding between people.

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: “This is an award ceremony for diplomats, with winners chosen by diplomats. This evening is about hard work and technique. It’s about people and professionalism.”

2019 DIPLOMAT OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS:

2019 Diplomat of the Year from the Middle East & North Africa

His Excellency Mr Sulaiman Almazroui

Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates

2019 Diplomat of the Year from Africa

Her Excellency Ms Yamina Karitanyi

High Commissioner for Rwanda

2019 Diplomat of the Year from Asia & Oceania

His Excellency Mr Said T. Jawad

Ambassador of Afghanistan

2019 Diplomat of the Year from Eurasia & the Western Balkans

His Excellency Mr Erlan Idrissov

Ambassador of Kazakhstan

2019 Diplomat of the Year from Europe

Her Excellency Mrs Päivi Luostarinen

Ambassador of Finland

2019 Diplomat of the Year from North America & the Caribbean

Her Excellency Mrs Teresita de Jesús Vicente Sotolongo

Ambassador of Cuba

2019 Diplomat of the Year from Central & South America

His Excellency Mr Fernando López Fabregat

Ambassador of Uruguay

2019 Outstanding Contribution to Economic Diplomacy

International Business and Diplomatic Exchange

2019 Young Diplomat of the Year

Wilfred T. Adderley II

Second Secretary & Vice Consul, Bahamas High Commission

2019 Outstanding Contribution to Diplomacy in London

Francesca Flessati OBE

Assistant Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps & FCO Deputy Director of Protocol

For enquiries contact Diplomat magazine Editor, Venetia van Kuffeler on

E: vvk@diplomatmagazine.com