The head of the UK Foreign Office has announced the appointment of Edwin Samuel as ambassador to Mongolia. He will succeed Fiona Blythe, who is moving to another position within the diplomatic service. Edwin Samuel will begin his duties in July 2026.
Edwin Samuel is a qualified diplomat who previously served as the official Arabic language spokesperson at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Throughout his career, he has spent significant time in the Middle East and North Africa, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s nuances. As an accredited second-level mediator, he explores the effectiveness of various forms of mediation and informal channels in the Middle East.
Samuel is also known for his approach that combines “soft intelligence” and “restraint” to implement diplomatic policy. As the UK’s representative in Arab media, he has actively participated in developing an interfaith strategy aimed at combating radicalizing propaganda, as well as creating training programs for the Coalition against ISIS.
The diplomat has experience working with open-source intelligence, which aids in making strategic decisions. He also advises companies on doing business in Myanmar following the military coup.
During his career in the British diplomatic service, Edwin has been to cities such as London, Berlin, Damascus, Brasília, and Riyadh. In his free time, he prefers to relax in the desert with Bedouins, studying the Arabic language, and has a passion for classical music.
