Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE speaks to APPG on UN

Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE, Ambassador for the UK to the United Nations since 2020 spoke to the APPG for the UN.  and leads on security, prosperity, and global development for the UK. She was previously UK Ambassador to China, seeing trade between the UK and China double over that time. Her diplomatic career spans Europe, Russia. 

It is the 80 Anniversary of the foundation of the UN. Dame Barbara said the UN Secretary General has instituted a review on the Reform of the UN mentioned the appointment of Tom Fletcher as instrumental in the delivery of humanitarian aid and Elinor Hammarskjold as UN Legal Counsel. The US have not filled their posts making it difficult to know what the policy of the US is and links to the White House. 

I asked about Democracy and migration and how the UN will meet those challenges. 

On a positive note Dame Barbara said that this year is the year of 5 Summits including women, Ocean 2, funding for development and social. Conflict resolution is a key part of the UN role and the need for horizon scanning to check the flashpoints.  

Dame Barbara said the Security Council must be more representative to include Brazil, India Germany and Japan with African representation. The UN and Dame Barbara must be supported.