Permanent Representative of Dominica to the United Nations

Permanent Representative of Dominica to the United Nations is the official title given to Dominica’s top diplomat at the UN headquarters in New York. The role is identical in practice to “Ambassador to the UN,” since the appointed envoy always holds ambassadorial rank, but the term “Permanent Representative” is the one recognized formally under UN diplomatic protocol. This office has been central to ensuring Dominica’s participation in global governance, particularly in advancing issues affecting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as climate change, disaster resilience, and access to development financing.

Historical Background

Dominica became a full member of the United Nations in December 1978, shortly after independence. From that time, successive governments ensured that the country was represented by a Permanent Representative to safeguard its interests in the international arena. Over the years, Dominica’s envoys have worked alongside CARICOM and OECS counterparts to strengthen regional advocacy within the UN General Assembly and related bodies.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Permanent Representative of Dominica is tasked with:

• Representing the nation in the UN General Assembly and its committees.
• Negotiating on matters of global importance, particularly climate diplomacy, financing for development, and disaster recovery.
• Coordinating regional positions with CARICOM states to present unified stances on trade, health, education, and resilience.
• Maintaining close contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Roseau to align UN priorities with national policies.
• Supporting global recognition of Dominica’s policies under the National Resilience Development Strategy 2030 (NRDS).

Notable Appointments

• Vince Henderson (2010–2016): Represented Dominica at the UN and also served as Ambassador to the U.S. He promoted renewable energy, climate resilience, and multilateral cooperation.
• Loreen R. Bannis-Roberts (2016–2022): Appointed as Dominica’s first female Permanent Representative to the UN. She became a prominent voice on gender equity and SIDS challenges in global negotiations.
• Philbert Aaron (2023–present): Currently serving as Permanent Representative to the UN. His remit emphasizes climate finance, global partnerships, and multilateral cooperation in line with Dominica’s development priorities.

Institutional Role

The office functions as Dominica’s most visible diplomatic mission abroad. It engages with the UN General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and international bodies that influence small island policies. The Permanent Representative also works with Dominica’s other envoys, such as those to the OAS, United States, and United Kingdom, to ensure coherence across foreign policy platforms.

Climate and Resilience Advocacy

Dominica’s representatives consistently highlight the country’s vulnerability to hurricanes and natural disasters, particularly after Hurricane Maria in 2017, pressing for international financial mechanisms to fund recovery and resilience.

• Regional and Multilateral Engagement: Permanent Representatives coordinate with CARICOM and other Caribbean missions to strengthen collective influence, particularly in areas like international trade, environmental agreements, and security.
• Women in Diplomacy: The appointment of Loreen Bannis-Roberts was historic, signalling the growing role of Dominican women in global diplomacy.
• Continuing Representation: With Philbert Aaron’s current appointment, Dominica continues to assert itself as an active participant in UN deliberations, despite being one of the smallest member states.