David Riley OBE
Biography
David Riley was appointed UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in July 2024.
David joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (now the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) in 2000. During his career, he has served at the British Embassy in Washington, and at the UK’s Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Geneva and in New York. David’s roles in London have included Deputy Head of Western Balkans Policy, Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Assistant Private Secretary to four Ministers of State for Europe.
David was born in Plymouth, Devon, and studied at Looe Community School and the University of Exeter.
On his appointment, David said:
“I am excited to join the UK Mission in Geneva as Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament. I do so at a time when global disarmament is under huge strain, and when new and emerging technologies are increasing at an astonishing rate. I look forward to playing my part in ensuring that disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation continue to support international peace and security”.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva
The Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Conference on Disarmament is the United Kingdom’s foremost diplomatic representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Permanent Representatives normally hold the personal rank of Ambassador.