On 19 August, new British High Commissioner to Mauritius, Charlotte Pierre, met the Honorable Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth following her arrival in Mauritius.
During her courtesy call, High Commissioner Pierre congratulated PM Jugnauth on Mauritius’ increasing Covid-19 vaccination rate. She also thanked PM Jugnauth for confirming his attendance of COP26 which will be hosted by the UK later this year.
HE Charlotte Pierre paid a courtesy visit on Thursday morning to Xavier Duval, the leader of the opposition. Xavier Duval, on his page, wrote the following: “during the 50 minutes meeting, we were able to discuss a wide range of issues both local and international of relevance to Mauritius and the UK. I was able to congratulate her excellency on her posting to Mauritius, and express our pride and joy on the appointment of a person of Mauritian descent to this high post.”
Charlotte Pierre succeeded Keith Allan as head of the British High Commission in Mauritius but is the first person of Mauritian origin to hold such a diplomatic post in our country.
Charlotte Pierre gives her first impressions in her own words
“I have a Mauritian heritage. I am a British citizen, and I was born in Britain, but my parents are from Mauritius. They left the country before the island gained independence for higher education. They settled in London. I am immensely proud of my Britishness, and I am here to represent Britain. But I am equally proud of my parents and their country of origin.
So I was delighted when the Foreign Secretary chose me. It shows what’s good about Britain. I am a woman of colour, and it shows that Britain is about competence and inclusion. This is the image that Britain wants to promote abroad. The British government walks the talk.
It’s not about saying we’re for women’s empowerment and saying whatever we want and having one type of diplomat or one type of representation abroad. It’s important to demonstrate, as a government, how modern British society is in the 21st century and project that image abroad.”
Britain is a major economic and trading partner. It intends to be actively involved in the empowerment of women and young people. In the following interview, the new diplomat talks about the visit of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) delegation to Mauritius next month and the British government’s commitment to supporting the financial services sector. She also mentioned the upcoming COP 26 in Glasgow, which Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is expected to attend. The British High Commission, currently in Port Louis, will soon move to new premises in the courtyard of Wesminster House in Floréal. Charlotte Pierre is married to Paul Noris, a British diplomat, and has two children.
