Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkachenko MP has congratulated long-serving diplomat, Her Excellency Ms. Winnie Kiap CBE, on the official announcement of her appointment as Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation. "Congratulations are in order for Her Excellency Ms. Winnie Kiap on this international appointment to office." "Her Excellency Ms. Kiap is a long-serving diplomat as Papua New Guinea's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom with accreditation to Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, South Africa, and Zimbabwe from 2011 to 2022, and rightfully so, we are proud of this recognition and appointment by the Commonwealth.” “With her wealth of experience in the public service before serving as one of Papua New Guinea's top diplomats, Ms Kiap was also recently an integral part of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) tasked with the review and drafting of the Foreign Policy White Paper." "We thank and appreciate member countries of the Commonwealth for the confidence and trust in our government's recommendation for this post and for the support in this appointment." The Commonwealth Foundation is an inter-governmental organization established by Heads of Government of the 56 member countries in support of the belief that the Commonwealth is as much an association of peoples as it is of governments; hence, Tkachenko said their recommendation is their commitment to the role of the Foundation. “The Commonwealth comprises countries working together for development, democracy, and peace and is a voice for small states and a champion for young people." "Papua New Guinea holds with high regard, the role of the Commonwealth Foundation and will endeavour to work closely in partnership with Her Excellency and the Foundation towards its goals and objectives for our people."