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Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Part of UK in Holy See

30th September 2011

Common Values in Foreign Policy

On 27 September, the Holy See Foreign Minister, Archbishop Mamberti, addressed the UN General Assembly in a wide ranging speech on current international issues or, as he put it – reminding us diplomats why we engage in international diplomacy – “the principal questions that concern humanity in the search for a better future for all”.

David Cameron’s speech to the UNGA last week also posed the question why we engage in international affairs, focusing principally on events in the Middle East. And I was struck by how much there was in Archbishop Mamberti’s speech with which the United Kingdom can find common cause. A few examples:

– the responsibility of “the Family of Nations” to support countries and peoples in need, such as in the current humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, and of the world’s major donors to respect their Gleneagles development commitments. British Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell also spoke eloquently in New York this week of the need for the international community to take urgent and concrete action now in Somalia.

– respect for religious freedom as a cornerstone of human rights, and still a major challenge in many countries. Archbishop Mamberti noted in particular that simple tolerance was not enough; that believers of all faiths should be allowed in any country to live in security and enjoy full citizenship rights.

– greater understanding of our responsibilities towards the environment, and recognition that man – and especially the most disadvantaged – must be at the heart of sustainable development strategies as we look forward to next year’s Rio+20 Conference.

– the vital importance of securing in 2012 an effective and implementable Arms Trade Treaty, as “a test of political will” of the international community to assume its moral and juridicial responsibilities.

As I have said before, the United Kingdom and the Holy See will not agree on every international issue. But we certainly do on the fundamental questions. And that provides us with a basis for work across a wide and shared global agenda.

About Nigel Baker

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as…

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as Deputy Head of Mission in the British Embassy in Havana, Cuba (2003-6) and then as British Ambassador in La Paz, Bolivia (2007-11). In July 2016, Nigel finished his posting, and is currently back in London.

As the first British Ambassador to the Holy See ever to have a blog, Nigel provided a regular window on what the Embassy and the Ambassador does. The blogs covered a wide range of issues, from Royal and Ministerial visits to Diplomacy and Faith, freedom of religion, human trafficking and climate change.

More on Nigel’s career

Nigel was based in London between 1998 and 2003. He spent two years on European Union issues (for the UK 1998 EU Presidency and on European Security and Defence questions), before crossing St James’s Park to work for three years as The Assistant Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. At St James’s Palace, Nigel worked on international issues, including the management of The Prince of Wales’s overseas visits and tours, on the Commonwealth, interfaith issues, the arts and international development.

Nigel spent much of the early part of his FCO career in Central Europe, after an initial stint as Desk Officer for the Maghreb countries in the Near East and North Africa department (1990-91). Between 1992 and 1996, Nigel served in the British embassies in Prague and Bratislava, the latter being created in 1993 after the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia into the separate Czech and Slovak Republics.

Nigel joined the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) in September 1989. Between 1996 and 1998 he took a two year academic sabbatical to research and write about themes in 18th century European history, being based in Verona but also researching in Cambridge, Paris and Naples. The research followed from Nigel’s time as a student at Cambridge (1985-88) where he read history and was awarded a First Class Honours degree, followed by his MA in 1992.

Before joining the Foreign Office, Nigel worked briefly for the Conservative Research Department in London at the time of the 1989 European election campaign.

Nigel married Alexandra (Sasha) in 1997. They have one son, Benjamin, born in Bolivia in September 2008.

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#UNGA foreign holy policy Politics see values vatican

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