My thoughts are with all in Cuba facing the impact of #hurricaneIan, now Category 3, which made landfall at La Coloma a few minutes ago.🙏🇨🇺 Mis pensamientos están con todxs en Cuba que enfrenten el impacto del huracán #Ian, que tocó tierra en La Coloma ya como categoria 3.🙏🇨🇺

Distressing to see 🇨🇺 news. #Ian damaged/destroyed 37,000 houses. I hope hospitals, airports operate. Into a 4th day, Pinar del Rio & 40% of Havana amongst areas without power. For 2 nights now, no internet. I can only imagine how frightening that must feel, in the dark. 🙏🇨🇺

Here in London there is no shortage of difficult news. But it is not hard to find blessings for which to feel grateful. 🙏 🇬🇧

Interested in a career in diplomacy? Life as a diplomat comes with painful drawbacks. But benefits and privileges are exceptional. I have been fortunate. Some comments on pros and cons of working in diplomacy, to follow later.

Hats off to my talented colleagues who have worked on the Ukraine/Russia crisis response in London, and in missions around the world. Those suffering from that catastrophe deserve all our efforts.

My heart is with the victims of the horrific incident this evening in my old home city Seoul. All my thoughts are with them, and their families and friends. 🙏💔

In Westminster Cathedral lie the remains of Sir John Southworth, minister to London’s dying during the plague years, tortured and executed there in 1654. All Saints’ Day is a profound reminder to stand up for the principles you believe in, even at personal cost to yourself. 💜

If you follow my personal LinkedIn posts on diplomacy: I am sorry that my account there has been suspended. The LinkedIn case officer has told me that the issue may require “additional research”. Thank you to all who have sent messages.🙏

Good morning. LinkedIn has suspended my personal account. So here on Twitter I will be posting more ideas, anecdotes and advice on diplomacy and working across differences of culture, politics & ideology. Respectful comments and opinions always welcome.

> Stop worrying about stereotypes. > Get up, get out there and go for it. The words of Britain’s 1st female black Ambassador NneNne Iwuji-Eme + 1st male black Ambassador Lord Boateng. Your ethnicity, sex orientation, gender or poorer background don’t disqualify you from 🇬🇧 diplomacy.

In 1920, the body of an unidentified soldier was returned from France's battlefields to be buried in Westminster Abbey But how did a single rose that accompanied the Unknown Warrior come to hold special significance for one family? Imperial War Museums | #LestWeForget

The UN’s climate conference opened today in Egypt. I am proud to have served as British Ambassador for Climate at the 2015 Conference. We need to get on track. The impact of the agreement we reached in Paris depends on greater technological, political & diplomatic ambition now.

Protection of the weak depends on the rule of law. * government accountable * courts independent * freedoms safeguarded Pre-pandemic authoritarian trends are continuing.