London, United Kingdom
    Male', Maldives

    The High Commissioner

    Heighlights

    H.E. Mr Ahmed Zaki (20th March 1996 – 15th November 1996)

    H.E. Mr Ahmed Zaki became the first High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom when he presented his Letter of Credence to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II on 20th March 1996. High Commissioner Zaki passed away on 15th November 1996 and the High Commissioner’s post remained vacant until the appointment of H.E. Mr Hassan Sobir in 2004.

     

    H.E. Mr Hassan Sobir (24th October 2004 – 26th September 2007)

    H.E. Mr Hassan Sobir was appointed as the High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom on 24th October 2004. On 22nd February 2005, High Commissioner Sobir presented his Letter of Credence to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, and he remained in his post until the completion of his tenure in office on 26th September 2007.

     

    H.E. Dr Mohamed Asim (31st December 2007 – 25th December 2008)

    H.E. Dr Mohamed Asim was appointed as the High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom on 31st December 2007, and he presented his Letter of Credence to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 5th March 2008. High Commissioner Dr Asim relinquished his post and departed London on 25th December 2008.

     

    H.E. Dr Farahanaz Faizal (13th December 2008 – 8th February 2012)

    H.E. Dr Farahanaz Faizal was appointed as the High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom on 13th December 2008. She arrived in London to officially assume her duties on 25th March 2009, before presenting her Letter of Credence to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II on 25th March 2009. High Commissioner Dr Faizal resigned on 8th February 2012.

     

    H.E. Mr Ahmed Shiaan (31st October 2015 – 16th November 2018)

    H.E. Mr Ahmed Shiaan was appointed as the Ambassador of the Maldives to the United Kingdom on 31st October 2015. Ambassador Mr Shiaan was recalled to the Foreign Ministry of Maldives on 16th November 2018.

    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

    As a resident mission in a key European location, the High Commission of Maldives to the United Kingdom leads the Government of Maldives’ efforts to promote Maldives’ interests in the United Kingdom and Europe, and share an accurate representation of the Maldives with our European partners. Additionally, the Embassy is responsible for providing consular assistance to the many Maldivians that chose to study and reside in the United Kingdom and Northern Europe.

    The Embassy works with a variety of government and non-government stakeholders to strengthen the historic ties and relations between the Maldives and the United Kingdom, and develop deeper relations between the Maldives and our accredited countries in Europe. Furthermore, the Embassy strives to promote greater understanding of the Maldives by facilitating greater personal contact between the people of Maldives and the people of Europe.

    H.E. Mr Maumoon Abdul Gayoom officially opened the High Commission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 27th October 1995. The establishment of a London High Commission with full diplomatic status built upon an existing Maldivian presence in London, the Office of the Government of Maldives Trade Representative.

    H.E. Mr Ahmed Zaki became the first Maldivian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom when he presented his Letter of Credence to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 20th March 1996. Since then, there have been a further four Maldivian High Commissioners to the United Kingdom, and a number of Acting High Commissioners. 

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