Ambassador-at-large

An ambassador-at-large is a diplomat, a secretary, or a minister of the highest rank who is accredited to represent a country and its people internationally.
Unlike an ambassador-in-residence, who is usually limited to a country or embassy, the ambassador-at-large is entrusted to operate in several usually neighboring countries, a region or sometimes hold a seat in an international organization like the United Nations and the other international organizations. In some cases, an ambassador-at-large may even be specifically assigned a role to advise and assist the state or a government in particular issues. Historically, presidents or prime ministers have designated special diplomatic envoys for specific assignments, primarily overseas but sometimes also within the country as an ambassador-at-large.
Honorific title
[edit]According to international protocol, ambassadors and ambassadors-at-large are officially styled and addressed as His/Her Excellency, or Mister/Madam Ambassador. The title may be abbreviated in official correspondence as H.E.[1]
United States ambassadors-at-large
[edit]The US president appointed the first official who specifically bore the title of ambassador-at-large on 12 March 1949 under the authority vested in Article II, Section 2 of the US Constitution to deal with specific foreign policy issues, which have been frequently spelled out in their commissions.
Ambassador-at-large positions in the diplomatic corps of the US State Department include:
- Coordinator for Counterterrorism
- United States Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs
- United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice
- United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues
- United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
- United States Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
- United States Global AIDS Coordinator
Notable ambassadors-at-large
[edit]Asia
[edit] Princess Masna Bolkiah, Brunei's Ambassador-at-Large and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Princess Masna Bolkiah, Brunei's Ambassador-at-Large and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
 Mehdi Samii, Iranian ambassador-at-large for Economic affairs and Advisor to the Prime Minister for International Financing (1971–1973)[2] Mehdi Samii, Iranian ambassador-at-large for Economic affairs and Advisor to the Prime Minister for International Financing (1971–1973)[2]
 Lon Non, Ambassador-at-Large for the Khmer Republic Lon Non, Ambassador-at-Large for the Khmer Republic
 Mohammad Ziauddin, Ambassador-at-large of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Mohammad Ziauddin, Ambassador-at-large of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
 Javed Malik, Pakistan's Ambassador-at-Large to the Persian gulf Region Javed Malik, Pakistan's Ambassador-at-Large to the Persian gulf Region
 Carlos P. Romulo, President of the United Nations General Assembly (1949–1950), Secretary/Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador-at-Large under three Philippine Presidents: Elpidio Quirino (1950–1952), Diosdado Macapagal (1963–1964) and Ferdinand Marcos (1968–1984) Carlos P. Romulo, President of the United Nations General Assembly (1949–1950), Secretary/Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador-at-Large under three Philippine Presidents: Elpidio Quirino (1950–1952), Diosdado Macapagal (1963–1964) and Ferdinand Marcos (1968–1984)
 León María Guerrero III, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs under Ramon Magsaysay (1953–1954) and Ambassador-at-Large under four Philippine Presidents: Ramon Magsaysay (1954–1957), Carlos P. Garcia (1957–1961), Diosdado Macapagal (1961–1965) and Ferdinand E. Marcos (1965–1980) León María Guerrero III, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs under Ramon Magsaysay (1953–1954) and Ambassador-at-Large under four Philippine Presidents: Ramon Magsaysay (1954–1957), Carlos P. Garcia (1957–1961), Diosdado Macapagal (1961–1965) and Ferdinand E. Marcos (1965–1980)
 Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at-Large representing Singapore and former ambassador to the United States from 1996 to 2012[3] Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at-Large representing Singapore and former ambassador to the United States from 1996 to 2012[3]
 Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large of Singapore Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large of Singapore
 Ong Keng Yong, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore and former Secretary-General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ong Keng Yong, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore and former Secretary-General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
 Gopinath Pillai, former Ambassador-at-Large of Singapore[4] Gopinath Pillai, former Ambassador-at-Large of Singapore[4]
 Gene Loh, Ambassador-at-Large of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 1997 to 2001[5] Gene Loh, Ambassador-at-Large of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 1997 to 2001[5]
 Audrey Tang, Cyber Ambassador-at-Large of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and former Minister of Digital Affairs[6] Audrey Tang, Cyber Ambassador-at-Large of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and former Minister of Digital Affairs[6]
 Ahmet Davutoğlu, Formerly Ambassador-at-Large of Turkey; he subsequently served as Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Formerly Ambassador-at-Large of Turkey; he subsequently served as Foreign Minister and Prime Minister
Europe
[edit] Charles Aznavour, Franco-Armenian singer, Armenian Ambassador-at-Large to Switzerland, then to the United Nations Organization Charles Aznavour, Franco-Armenian singer, Armenian Ambassador-at-Large to Switzerland, then to the United Nations Organization
 Petri Salo, Finland's Roving Ambassador for the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia)[7] Petri Salo, Finland's Roving Ambassador for the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia)[7]
 Jacques Valade, Ambassador-at-Large of France for decentralized cooperation in Asia, from 2008 to 2015. Jacques Valade, Ambassador-at-Large of France for decentralized cooperation in Asia, from 2008 to 2015.
 Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador-at-Large of Hellenic Republic, Vice President of the European Parliament and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador-at-Large of Hellenic Republic, Vice President of the European Parliament and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece
 Georg von Habsburg, Ambassador-at-Large of Hungary[8] Georg von Habsburg, Ambassador-at-Large of Hungary[8]
 Dame Nuala O'Loan, of Ireland. Roving Ambassador for Conflict Resolution and Special Envoy to Timor-Leste[9] Dame Nuala O'Loan, of Ireland. Roving Ambassador for Conflict Resolution and Special Envoy to Timor-Leste[9]
 Jarosław Pijarowski, Ambassador-at-Large of International Human Rights Organization for Poland[10] Jarosław Pijarowski, Ambassador-at-Large of International Human Rights Organization for Poland[10]
 Cristóbal Colón de Carvajal, 18th Duke of Veragua, Ambassador-at-Large for the Commemorative Events of the 500th Anniversary (Quincentennial) of the Fourth Voyage of Columbus (2002–2006).[11][12] Cristóbal Colón de Carvajal, 18th Duke of Veragua, Ambassador-at-Large for the Commemorative Events of the 500th Anniversary (Quincentennial) of the Fourth Voyage of Columbus (2002–2006).[11][12]
Africa
[edit] Nicolas Kazadi, Ambassador-at-Large for the Democratic Republic of the Congo Nicolas Kazadi, Ambassador-at-Large for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
 Amina Mohammed, Ambassador-at-large representing Kenya Amina Mohammed, Ambassador-at-large representing Kenya
 Lineo Ntoane, Kingdom of Lesotho Ambassador-at-large Lineo Ntoane, Kingdom of Lesotho Ambassador-at-large
 Princess Esther Kamatari, Ambassador-at-large representing Burundi Princess Esther Kamatari, Ambassador-at-large representing Burundi
Americas
[edit] Chavano "Buddy" Hield, Ambassador-at-Large for The Bahamas[13] Chavano "Buddy" Hield, Ambassador-at-Large for The Bahamas[13]
 Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ambassador-at-Large for Barbados[14][15] Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ambassador-at-Large for Barbados[14][15]
 Attallah Shabazz, Ambassador-at-Large for Belize Attallah Shabazz, Ambassador-at-Large for Belize
 Oscar de la Renta, Ambassador-at-Large of the Dominican Republic[16] Oscar de la Renta, Ambassador-at-Large of the Dominican Republic[16]
 Wyclef Jean, Ambassador-at-Large for Haiti Wyclef Jean, Ambassador-at-Large for Haiti
 Barbara Carrera, former Ambassador-at-large for Nicaragua, appointed by then-president Arnoldo Alemán Barbara Carrera, former Ambassador-at-large for Nicaragua, appointed by then-president Arnoldo Alemán
 Suzan Johnson Cook, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
 Henry A. Crumpton, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Department of State[17] Henry A. Crumpton, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Department of State[17]
 Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS Coordinator (Ambassador-at-Large for HIV and AIDS)[18] Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS Coordinator (Ambassador-at-Large for HIV and AIDS)[18]
 John Hanford, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
 Philip Jessup, former United States Ambassador-at-large under President Harry S. Truman Philip Jessup, former United States Ambassador-at-large under President Harry S. Truman
 Strobe Talbott, US Ambassador-at-Large and Special Advisor to the Secretary on the New Independent States[19] Strobe Talbott, US Ambassador-at-Large and Special Advisor to the Secretary on the New Independent States[19]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ The Guide of the Modern Diplomatic Protocol
- ^ Milani, Abbas (2008). Eminent Persians: The Men and Women who Made Modern Iran, 1941-1979. Vol. 1. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press. pp. 766–767. ISBN 978-0815609070.
- ^ "CHAN Heng Chee". 9 October 2015.
- ^ "Live Mint". Live Mint. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
- ^ Chu, Monique (18 April 2002). "Veteran diplomat tells it like it was". Taipei Times. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- ^ Scanlan, Sean (8 October 2024). "Taiwan President Lai Ching-te appoints new ambassadors-at-large". Taiwan News. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ "Roving Ambassador for South Caucasus –". Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. 18 October 2012. Archived from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ "The Habsburgs' new empire: The princess and the bear". The Economist. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ "New Roving Ambassador Nuala O' Loan to Travel to Timor". Irish embassy. 10 March 2008. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ "International Human Rights Organization". yt.com. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs (11 May 2002). "Real Decreto 438/2002, de 10 de mayo, por el que se designa a don Cristóbal Colón de Carvajal, Duque de Veragua, embajador en misión especial para los Actos Conmemorativos del Quinto Centenario del Cuarto Viaje de Colón". Official State Gazette (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (9 September 2006). "Real Decreto 996/2006, de 8 de septiembre, por el que se dispone el cese de don Cristóbal Colón de Carvajal como Embajador en Misión Especial para los Actos Conmemorativos del Quinto Centenario del Cuarto Viaje de Colón". Official State Gazette (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Chavano "Buddy" Hield Appointed Ambassador At-Large For Sports And Cultural Development". mofa.gov.bs. 16 February 2024.
- ^ "Rihanna's officially titled 'right excellent,' named Barbados national hero". PBS NewsHour. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "Rihanna appointed ambassador for her native Barbados". The Guardian. Press Association. 22 September 2018. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ Mower, Sarah (2002). Oscar: The Style, Inspiration and Life of Oscar De La Renta. New York: Assouline. p. 12.
- ^ "Biography: Henry A. Crumpton". US Department of State Archives. 3 August 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ "Goosby, Eric". State. 23 June 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ "Strobe Talbott: Richard von Weizsäcker Distinguished Visitor – Class of Spring 2009". American Academy in Berlin. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
 
	
