Ambassador Speaker Series Features UK Ambassador Wilks
With Qatar’s standing as a pivotal player in global diplomacy on the rise, the new Ambassador Speaker Series hosted by Georgetown University in Qatar offers the community in Qatar exclusive opportunities to interact with current and former diplomats. The public event series recently featured a distinguished talk by the British Ambassador to Qatar, HE Jonathan Wilks, titled “Reflections on 30 Years as a UK Diplomat in the Arab World.”
In a discussion moderated by the dean of GU-Q, Dr. Safwan Masri, Ambassador Wilks shared insights from his experience in Middle Eastern diplomacy on behalf of the UK Foreign Service. Interwoven with personal anecdotes and professional wisdom, his talk offered a unique perspective on UK-Arab relations, regional politics, and the evolving dynamics of international diplomacy.
Ambassador Wilks highlighted the importance of debate and dialogue in his extensive travels through the region as the Arabic spokesperson for the UK, saying “Getting to know this part of the world, getting to know the issues, getting to see the perspectives…that has been one of the best parts of the job.”
He also commended Dean Masri for elevating Georgetown’s role in pivotal public discussions on pressing global matters, including hosting a series of public events on Palestine and launching the Hiwaraat Conference Series. Ambassador Wilks spoke at the first Hiwaraat series event on “The Invasion of Iraq: 20 Years On.”
Ambassador Wilks further noted that Qatar’s unique diversity and location make it a vibrant place to live and engage in this dialogue, saying:
“Being able to engage in discussion and debate is part of what makes Doha one of the most extraordinary cities in the world, and one of the most extraordinary cities that has ever existed in this region. And I think Georgetown has a very special role to play in that, given the number of nations we have here, the different backgrounds, and the fascinating things that everyone is involved in.”
Dean Masri expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Wilks for his participation in the series, emphasizing the significance of the university’s collaboration with experts and practitioners of diplomacy.
“His Excellency Ambassador Jonathan Wilks is a seasoned diplomat with a long-spanning career grounded exclusively in the Middle East. He has served in Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iraq, during some of the most turbulent times in modern Arab history. Since 2020, he has been the UK’s Ambassador to Qatar. We are incredibly honored to have him participate in the GU-Q Ambassador Speaker Series, sharing insights and reflections on his thirty years as a UK diplomat in the Arab World.”
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A led by Dean Safwan Masri, where students engaged with Ambassador Wilks on a range of international affairs topics.
About Ambassador Wilks
Ambassador Wilks will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service early in 2024 and taking up a post at the Center for Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford, following a career marked by a deep commitment to engaging in complex diplomatic environments, with a focus on conflict zones and critical regions. His roles have required a combination of diplomatic skill, deep regional knowledge, and the ability to navigate challenging political landscapes.
His career in foreign affairs began in 1989 with Arabic language training and early posts in Sudan and Saudi Arabia. He went on to navigate a number of complex geopolitical challenges, including serving as Ambassador to Iraq from 2017 to 2019. His tenure in Oman (2014-2017) fostered UK-Oman relations, prior to which, as the Ambassador to Yemen (2010-2011), he witnessed firsthand the country’s turbulent Arab Spring experience.