Talks about talks - Embassy Network

On the 80^th anniversary of the creation of the UN diplomats gathered at a historic venue for this year’s Embassy Event Expo

It was a bumper year for this year’s Embassy Event Expo where almost 200 protocol and visits officers from London’s diplomatic missions and international organisations gathered to get the latest updates on logistics planning for their upcoming VIP visits and to meet with more than 50 hospitality and events service providers.

This year’s Expo took place at the iconic Church House Westminster, site of the first preparatory meetings for the United Nations Security Council 80 years ago. Referring to those diplomats who met in 1946 to rebuild a world shattered by war, Embassy Group Director Elizabeth Stewart stressed the importance of diplomacy in these tumultuous times, and the value of meeting face-to-face to resolve conflict and global challenges.

In her opening address, the Head of Visits and Events at the FCDO Protocol Directorate Clare Tucker said that the UK continued to play an important part in bringing nations together as it prepared to host the G20 in 2027 and the G7 in 2028, as well as the summits on Global Partnerships and Combatting Illicit Finance taking place this year.

VIP Visits and Credentials Panel: Kate Worsfold, Ed Mountain, Clare Tucker and Alia Karim of FCDO Protocol Directorate; Andrew Mackenzie and Aaron Walton of the Home Office

VIP Visits and Credentials
Joining Ms Tucker on the panel was head of Protective Security at the FCDO Protocol Directorate, Kate Worsfold, who explained policy and procedure for protecting VIP visitors, and Ed Mountain who gave an overview of key steps when preparing for a VIP Visit to facilitate smooth arrivals and departures.

Aaron Walton and Andrew Mackenzie from the Home Office updated diplomats on recent changes to immigration clearance for visiting VIPs and armed forces, notably the replacement of exempt vignettes with the new Digital Record of Exemption.

For those missions expecting the arrival or departure of ambassadors and high commissioners, Alia Karim, the Acting Head of the Agrément and Credentials Team at FCDO Protocol, outlined to diplomats key features of the agrément and credentials process and the formal Presentation of Credentials ceremony to HM the King. She also updated them on some procedural changes, notably that ceremonies now take place at St James’s Palace while Buckingham Palace was undergoing refurbishments.

Devo-Diplomacy Panel on Northern Ireland: Peta Conn (Invest NI), Joanne Kelly (NI Executive), Embassy Group Director Elizabeth Stewart and Lynsey Moore, Director of International Relations (NI Executive)

Devo-diplomacy: Northern Ireland
The second session of the Event Expo focuses on visits and delegations to the nations and regions that make up the UK. This year, the spotlight fell Northern Ireland, ahead of key assembly elections in 2027 and the 30^th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in 2028.

Diplomats heard from Lynsey Moore, Director of International Relations at the Northern Ireland Executive, who explained Northern Ireland’s unique constitutional arrangements and the priorities of the devolved government.

A top priority for the government of Northern Ireland is growing a globally competitive economy. Briefing diplomats on the economic vision for Northern Ireland was Peta Conn of Invest Northern Ireland, who explained the unique strengths that make Northern Ireland an ideal destination for FDI, notably the beneficial arrangements set out in the Windsor Framework, which facilitate doing business win both the EU and the UK, as well as its highly skilled workforce, high-tech communications and physical infrastructure combined with a low cost of doing business, relative to the rest of the UK. She also pointed to the £1.3bn investment in Northern Ireland from central, devolved and local governments to support balanced and sustainable growth and investment across Northern Ireland in key sectors, including life and health sciences, digital and artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, and hydrogen and decarbonisation.

For cultural and education attachés, Joanne Kelly, Deputy Director of International Relations, highlighted many reasons to visit, from the excellence and global outlook of its universities to cultural opportunities, notably the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s largest festival of Irish culture, taking place in Belfast this August.

The team emphasised their readiness to support diplomatic missions in planning an engaging an productive programme for visiting ministerial, cultural or business delegations

Lucky dips
The Expo concluded with a convivial drinks reception and prize draw where some lucky diplomats walked away with amazing treats, from overnight stays at luxury hotels, to dinner cruises on the Thames, designer shopping experiences and afternoon teas.