British ambassador departs Abu Dhabi for new posting

Philip Parham made UK’s Envoy to the Commonwealth by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - September 24, 2015: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (R), greets HE Philip Parham, Ambassador of the UK to the UAE (L), during an Eid Al Adha reception at Mushrif Palace.  
( Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi ) *** Local Caption ***  20150924RC_C115324.jpg
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The UK's ambassador to the UAE will leave Abu Dhabi for a new posting after four years in the capital.

Philip Parham has been appointed as the UK’s Envoy to the Commonwealth, effective immediately.

The move follows a summit of the 53 Commonwealth nations in April – the first since 1997.

Mr Parham has served as the British ambassador in Abu Dhabi since 2014 and was previously Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

"Crucial commitments were made at the Commonwealth Summit in April, on the scourge of marine plastics, on trade, on cyber security, and on the vital matter of girls’ education. The appointment of Philip Parham as envoy shows the UK’s dedication to ensuring these commitments are met," Boris Johnson said in an announcement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

"I look forward to working with him as his team works with the member states and the Commonwealth Secretariat to deliver a fairer, more prosperous, more sustainable and more secure Commonwealth."

The Commonwealth summit in April was seen as a test for Britain's post-Brexit ambitions for trade and partnerships with former territories such as India, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The run up to the summit also sparked the Windrush scandal, as Caribbean nations tried to put on the agenda immigration officials' harsh treatment of people who migrated to Britain as children after the Second World War.

Days before it began, Prime Minister Theresa May apologised to 12 Caribbean nations.

A replacement for Mr Parham has yet to be announced.

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