IHG DIPLOMAT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2024

Ambassadors and High Commissioners from over 70 countries (and diplomats from over 90 countries) attended the 2024 IHG DIPLOMAT of the Year Awards ceremony at The Peninsula London on Hyde Park Corner on Monday 22 April. At its annual event, DIPLOMAT magazine presented 10 awards to some of the most influential diplomats based in the UK.

The ceremony took place in the hotel’s Ballroom and the 180-plus guests were treated to a reception and canapés prepared by The Peninsula’s chefs. The BBC’s Adam Fleming (Presenter of Newscast, the UK’s most listened to podcast), was the Master of Ceremonies, who performed with immense slickness and wit. An appearance from Speaker of the House Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle kept guests entertained as he moved around the room and spoke to almost every guest!

In its fourteenth 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.

Diplomatic guests cheering on the winners

Diplomatic guests cheering on the winners

Diplomat’s Editor Venetia van Kuffeler greets Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Honduras Ivan Romero-Martinez

Wine and champagne were supplied by International Diplomatic Supplies (IDS)

High Commissioner of Barbados Milton Inniss and Director General of the Royal Over-Seas League Dr Annette Prandzioch

Ambassador of Panama Irma Natalia Royo Ruiz de Hagerman and Ambassador of the EU Pedro Serrano

Ambassador of North Macedonia Katerina Stavreska, Ambassador of Georgia Sophie Katsarava MBE and Ambassador of Latvia Ivita Burmistre

Sponsors for the evening were International Hospitals Group, VFS Global, Cleveland Clinic London, International Diplomatic Supplies and The Peninsula London. International Diplomatic Supplies provided the champagne and wine, and Royal warrant holders’ Cleave & Co. produced the unique awards for the winners.

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 winners chosen by diplomats. This evening is about hard work and technique. It’s about people and professionalism.”

2024 DIPLOMAT
OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS:

2024 Diplomat of the Year from Africa
His Excellency Mr Manoah Esipisu
High Commissioner of Kenya

2024 Diplomat of the Year from Europe
Her Excellency Ms Simona Leskovar
Ambassador of Slovenia

2024 Diplomat of the Year from Asia & Oceania
Her Excellency Ms Saida Muna Tasneem
High Commissioner of Bangladesh

2024 Diplomat of the Year from the Middle East & North Africa
His Excellency Mr Sherif Kamel
Ambassador of Egypt

2024 Diplomat of the Year from Eurasia & the Western Balkans
His Excellency Mr Osman Koray Ertaş
Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye

2024 Diplomat of the Year from North America & the Caribbean
Her Excellency Ms Josefa González-Blanco
Ambassador of Mexico

2024 Diplomat of the Year from Central & South America
His Excellency Mr Rafael Ortiz Fábrega
Ambassador of Costa Rica

2024 Outstanding Contribution to Climate Diplomacy
His Excellency Mr Girish Nunkoo
High Commissioner of Mauritius

2024 Young Diplomat of the Year
Mr Perko Mijatovic
Second Secretary, Embassy of Montenegro & Vice- President of YDL

2024 Outstanding Contribution to Diplomacy in London
HE Mr Pedro Serrano
Ambassador of the European Union

ABOUT THE SPONSORS:

International Hospitals Group:
Founded in 1972, IHG has successfully completed over 480 healthcare projects in 55 countries for private and public sector clients including 24 national governments, the UN, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. It is one of the leading healthcare services companies in the world.
https://ihg.co.uk/

The Peninsula London:
Strategically located close to key government institutions and embassies, The Peninsula London caters to the discerning needs of the city’s diplomatic community. Drawing inspiration from neighbouring royal parks, renowned architect of interiors Peter Marino has meticulously curated The Peninsula London’s spaces, seamlessly blending the outside world with the hotel’s elegant interiors. Four signature suites make for splendid venues for special-occasion gatherings and The Peninsula Suite includes a private screening room and fitness centre. Guests have the option to privatise the top floor into a seven-room configuration, sizing up to an expansive 1,300 square meters. Beyond accommodation, The Peninsula London offers nine meeting and event spaces, including five configurable conference rooms, a private cinema, and a pillarless ballroom capable of accommodating up to 1,100 people. Buckingham Palace, The Royal Parks and Westminster, are less than a 15-minute-walk away – though guests can also opt for transport in one of the hotel’s luxury chauffeured cars.
www.peninsula.com/en/london/5-star-luxury-hotel-belgravia\

VFS Global:
VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions. VFS Global is the trusted partner of 67 client governments, operating a global network with more than 3,300 Application Centres in 151 countries. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, enabling them to focus entirely on the critical assessment task.
https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/governments/index.html

Cleveland Clinic London:
Located on Grosvenor Place, Cleveland Clinic is part of a global health system that consistently ranks among the top hospitals in the world. As part of one of the world’s most respected academic medical centres, Cleveland Clinic London offers access to a global network of physicians and specialists. It provides patients with high-quality, integrated care, enabled by technology.
https://clevelandcliniclondon.uk/

International Diplomatic Supplies:
With over 25 years of experience with customers in 80 countries, IDS is the world’s only dedicated diplomatic supply company.
https://www.i-d-s.com/

Cleave & Co:
Royal Warranted court jewellers Cleave & Company design and create some of the world’s most exceptional bespoke jewellery, Objet D’Art, pens, insignia, orders, decorations and medals by appointment.
https://cleave.com/