High Commissioner of Maldives to the UK
Ambassador of Maldives to France, Ireland and Spain
Dr Farah Faizal is the High Commissioner of Maldives to the UK, having presented her Letters of Credence to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace, London on 29 October 2019. Dr Faizal is also the Ambassador of Maldives to France, Ireland and Spain (non-resident). She is also the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Dr Faizal also served as the High Commissioner of Maldives to the UK as well as non-resident Ambassador to Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Spain and Sweden from 2009 - 2012. Following the overthrow of the government in Maldives in February 2012, Dr Faizal resigned and served as the Spokesperson in Europe for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). She represented the former President of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group during the CMAG’s enquiry into the change of government in Maldives as well as serving as a Foreign Policy Advisor to the MDP. With the change of government in November 2018, she was appointed Ambassador to the UK.
Dr Faizal graduated from the University of Keele, UK in 1989, with a BA (Hons) degree in International Relations, and in 1991 she completed her M.Phil. in International Relations at the University of Cambridge. In 1996, Dr Faizal completed a PhD in Politics from the University of Hull, UK. Her thesis was on the “Security Problems of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with particular reference to the SIDS of the Indian Ocean”.
Dr Faizal co-edited a book "A clearing in the thicket: Women, Security, South Asia" published in 2005 by Sage. The book explores women's perspectives on matters of security and related policy, focusing on women in South Asia who are battling society, insecurity and violence.
Dr Faizal is married with one daughter.
Achievements/Awards
Presidential Award for Special Achievement (First Maldivian woman to receive a PhD)
Languages: English- Fluent French- Moderate
Dhivehi- Fluent Italian- Basic
Interests: Human Rights, Poetry, Shotokan Karate
Follow Dr. Faizal on Twitter: @DrFarahFaizal