News story

Change of High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

Mr Simon Tonge has been appointed British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Simon Tonge

Simon Tonge

He will succeed Ms Jacqueline Barson MBE, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Tonge will take up his appointment during June 2014.

Mr Tonge joined the FCO in 1996 and has carried out a wide variety of roles, most recently as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

On his appointment as British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Tonge has said:

I am delighted to have been appointed as High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, a fascinating country that I have fond memories of visiting as a tourist.

I look forward to building our already strong bilateral relations and contributing to Papua New Guinea’s rapid economic emergence for the mutual benefit of our people.

Curriculum vitae

Personal details
Full name: Simon Tonge
Married to: Hera Lutsenko Tonge
Period
Jun 2012 – present Abidjan, Head of Mission
Feb 2012 – Jun 2012 Full-time language training (French)
Nov 2008 – Dec 2011 Baku, Deputy Head of Mission
Oct 2004 – Nov 2008 Grand Cayman, Head of Governor’s Office
May 2004 – Oct 2004 FCO, Head of Section, Press Office
May 2002 – May 2004 FCO, Regional Security Policy Adviser, South Asia Group
May 1998 – Apr 2002 Jakarta, Second Secretary (Political)
Jul 1997 – May 1998 New York, Committee Support Officer, UK Mission to the United Nations
Sep 1996 – Jul 1997 FCO, Research Analyst for South East Asia
1996 Joined FCO

Further information

UK and Papua New Guinea

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Published 18 February 2014