Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE

The UK Mission, with support from other Government departments, represents the UK in every negotiation that takes place in New York, ensuring that Britain’s interests and views are taken into account by UN bodies and the other member states. The UK, as one of the 5 Permanent Members of the Security Council, plays a key role in all aspects of the Council’s work, providing information from the UK’s diplomatic network, negotiating, and lobbying for appropriate actions and resolutions. The Ambassador and her team engage in a constant round of meetings, promoting British interests and persuading others to accept the UK’s views.

The UK Mission also works to improve the way the UN works. It plays an important part in efforts to reform the Security Council, improve the UN’s finances and strengthen the UN’s capacity to deal with economic and social issues, peacekeeping and conflict prevention. The UK has been at the forefront of efforts to develop practical proposals for reform. The UK Mission works with the UN Secretary-General to promote reforms and ensure that the UN is a leaner, more effective organisation – one that will meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.