Ambassador of Dominica to the United Nations

Ambassador of Dominica to the United Nations is the official title held by Dominica’s Permanent Representative at the UN headquarters in New York. This ambassador represents the nation in the UN General Assembly, its committees, and affiliated bodies, ensuring that Dominica’s voice as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) is included in global decision-making. The position is pivotal for advancing Dominica’s foreign policy on climate change, sustainable development, disaster resilience, and international financing.

Historical Context

Dominica joined the United Nations in December 1978, shortly after gaining independence from Britain. From the outset, the government recognized that multilateral engagement was vital for amplifying the concerns of small island nations. The ambassador’s role has grown in importance as climate change, natural disasters, and development financing became pressing issues for the Caribbean.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Ambassador serves as the chief representative of Dominica at the UN. Core responsibilities include:

• Participating in the UN General Assembly and specialized committees.
• Advocating for disaster relief, climate finance, and resilience-building.
• Collaborating with CARICOM and OECS delegations to present a unified regional stance.
• Engaging in negotiations on sustainable development goals, global health, and education.
• Reporting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy on UN initiatives relevant to Dominica.

Notable Ambassadors

• Vince Henderson (2010–2016): Represented Dominica at both the UN and in Washington, D.C. He emphasized renewable energy, economic resilience, and disaster risk reduction. Later transitioned into ministerial leadership in planning and foreign affairs.
• Loreen R. Bannis-Roberts (2016–2022): Appointed as the first Dominican woman to serve in this role. She became a strong advocate for gender equity, SIDS development challenges, and climate diplomacy, raising Dominica’s profile in global negotiations.
• Philbert Aaron (2023–present): Currently serving as Dominica’s Ambassador to the UN. His remit includes climate finance, global partnerships, and multilateral cooperation on behalf of the government of Dominica.

Institutional Support

The mission to the UN works in coordination with Dominica’s Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ambassador also liaises with entities like the Invest Dominica Authority, the Discover Dominica Authority, and the DAIC and DHTA to align domestic development with global initiatives.

Climate Diplomacy

Ambassadors of Dominica to the UN have been at the forefront of global advocacy on climate change. Following disasters like Hurricane Maria (2017), the role became instrumental in mobilizing international aid and resilience-building support.

• Sustainable Development Goals: Dominica’s ambassadors work with other SIDS and developing nations to ensure that the SDGs reflect the needs of vulnerable economies.
• CARICOM and OECS Coordination: Dominica’s UN ambassador collaborates with Caribbean counterparts to push forward regional positions on trade, education, and resilience.
• Women in Diplomacy: Loreen Bannis-Roberts’ appointment highlighted the increasing role of Dominican women in global representation and remains a landmark in the nation’s diplomatic history.