Ms. Winnie Kiap appointed Commonwealth Foundation Chair

Her Excellency Ms. Winnie Kiap CBE, a long-serving diplomat, has been appointed Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation.

The announcement was met with congratulations from Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP, who praised her exceptional career and achievements.

Ms. Kiap served as Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2022, with additional accreditations to Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

She was an integral part of the Eminent Persons Group [EPG] that reviewed and drafted the Foreign Policy White Paper.

Her wealth of experience in public service has earned her recognition on the international stage.

Minister Tkatchenko expressed pride in Ms. Kiap’s appointment, thanking the Commonwealth member countries for their confidence in Papua New Guinea’s recommendation.

He emphasized the importance of the Commonwealth Foundation, an intergovernmental organization that promotes development, democracy, and peace across its 56 member states.

"The Commonwealth is a voice for small states and a champion for young people," said Tkatchenko.

"Papua New Guinea highly values the Foundation’s role and is committed to working in partnership with Her Excellency and the Foundation to achieve its goals for our people."

The Commonwealth Foundation’s mission aligns with the commitment of Papua New Guinea to support its development initiatives, and the country looks forward to collaborating with Ms. Kiap in this esteemed role.