A report on diplomatic activity in Spain from the Coordinated Institute for Governance and Applied Economics points out that Madrid It is a “prestigious destination for diplomats, with 28% female representation”.
“The prestige of Madrid as a diplomatic destination has been increasing in recent years, becoming one of the most desired by diplomats to perform their role here as ambassadors. Currently they are 175 countries accredited to the Kingdom of Spain with diplomatic representation, of which 49 have an ambassador in Madrid; 28% of the total,” he says.
The most recent appointment was that of Saudi Arabia, which Princess Haifa Al Mogrin now tells in the Spanish Foreign Ministry. “This appointment must be limited within its transformation and modernization strategy that is being carried out in Saudi Arabia. Haifa Al Mogrin has extensive international experience and is one of the most prestigious Saudi diplomats. The ambassador to Spain of Saudi Arabia is an accredited economist, with degrees and international activity. Among previous destinations, Haifa Al Mogrin was ambassador to UNESCO and played a key role in the designation of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as the venue for the 2030 World Expo. Having recently arrived in Madrid, she is already preparing an intense diplomatic agenda,” Add.
A team of analysts from the Coordinated Institute of Governance and Applied Economy has reviewed the role of these diplomats in Spain and points out that in general they stand out for his great activity and for managing to positively overcome tensions in the relations between the Spanish Government and that of his country.
It points out that countries from the Near and Middle East, Africa and Europe and Latin America have women in Madrid as diplomatic representatives of their countries. “Some have held ministerial and highly relevant positions in their governments, so being ambassadors in the Spanish capital is a privileged destination for your career. In addition to Saudi Arabia, the representatives of the United States, Julissa Reynosa, appointed in 2022, Morocco, Karima Benyaich, Mexico, María Carmen Oñate Muñoz, Australia, Sophie Ross, Colombia, exercise their high diplomatic function in Madrid. , María Carolina Barco, Ireland, Sile Maguire, Israel, Rodica Radian-Gordon, Finland, Tiina Jortikka, Jordan, Areej Mahmoud Saled Hawadeh, Romania, Gabriela Dancau, South Africa, Thenjine Ethel Mtingo, Wendy Drukier, from Canada, among others”, holds.
“The value of female diplomacy takes on special value in Madrid. The number of ambassadors shows an upward trend, but the most important thing is the value of women in relevant positions, which is an objective of the latest governments that already accredit a unique mark in its way of intervening in crises”says Jesús Sánchez Lambás, executive vice president of the Coordinated Institute of Governance and Applied Economics (ICGEA).
She adds that some of the ambassadors consulted affirm that they feel especially comfortable in their activity in the Spanish capital, since at no time have they felt differential treatment due to their status as women and that their interlocutors, whether men or women, have always maintained They have an attitude of equals. “This influences the fact that when they are assigned to Madrid they join their duties with great confidence. A work as discreet as it is efficient that Cary Batalla Junco has carried out from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as head of the general management of Introducer of Ambassadors. After his María Sebastián de Erice is leaving for New York as consul general of Spain, has maintained her level,” continues the Coordenadas Institute.
“It cannot go unnoticed that countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Israel, Lebanon, Oman and Tunisia or Turkey have women in our country as top representatives of the diplomacy of their countries. Many international organizations such as the Ibero-American General Secretariat or The United Nations has also entrusted women with representation in Madrid, but even a certain outdated culture tries not to put emphasis on an aspect that at the Coordenadas Institute seems to us to be a milestone and a “new diplomacy” in international relations. Also that it happens in Spain It is another sign that we should know how to interpret in its extraordinary value,” the entity states.
“A case of interest among the foreign diplomatic representation in Madrid is the first capital in the world to have an aboriginal ambassador from Australia, who was replaced by the current one, Sophie Ross. In short, concludes the analysis of the Coordenadas Institute, diplomacy in Madrid is increasingly feminine and the number of female ambassadors is growing and is creating another step in the always multifaceted diplomacy. But a step of enormous value that must be followed with special attention,” he concludes.