Letters of Credence and Discussion with Women Heads of Mission in Canada

March 11, 2020

In the morning, the Governor General received the letters of credence of five new heads of mission during a ceremony at Rideau Hall. Afterwards, she hosted a discussion with women heads of mission in Canada to hear about their success stories. 

His Excellency George Shorr Wleh Patten Sr.
Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia

Her Excellency Monica Ndiliawike Nashandi
High Commissioner for the Republic of Namibia

His Excellency Gaston Pierre Jean Stronck
Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

His Excellency Bolot Otunbaev
Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic

Her Excellency Thilmeeza Hussain
High Commissioner for the Republic of Maldives

Upon their arrival in Canada, and before they can carry out their duties as heads of mission, new ambassadors, as well as new high commissioners of countries for which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is not head of State, must be officially welcomed by the governor general of Canada. High commissioners representing countries for which The Queen is the head of State are formally introduced to the prime minister of Canada. Letters of credence are the official documents by which new heads of diplomatic missions are presented by their head of State as their official representative. 

The discussion provided an opportunity to learn about the work of the Women Heads of Diplomatic Mission of Ottawa (WHDMO) and to promote networking opportunities with Canadian women leaders from the public sector.