Head of British Diplomatic Service travels to Guatemala
Permanent Under Secretary of State (PUS) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sir Simon McDonald will visit Guatemala from 28 to 30 August.
Simon McDonald
This will be the first visit to Guatemala by the Head of the British Diplomatic Service and is part of a regional tour (including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize).
His visit will focus on strengthening UK ties with Guatemala as well as discussing a wide range of international issues, such as free trade, regional stability and climate change, amongst others.
While in Guatemala, he will meet representatives of the Government, recently elected officials, civil society and the private sector. He will also have chance to meet young Guatemalans who studied in the UK under the British Government’s global scholarship programme, Chevening.
The PUS will also give an update on the UK’s departure from the EU and progress on the ratification of the recently signed UK - Central America Association Agreement. This replicates the existing European Union - Central America Association Agreement, and will ensure continuity of the trading relationship between the UK and Central America when the UK ceases to be a member of the EU.