Foreign Minister announces new High Commissioner to South Africa – Norma Taylor Roberts

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh has announced the appointment of Mrs. Norma Taylor Roberts as Jamaica's new High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa.

High Commissioner Designate, Mrs. Taylor Roberts who will assume duties by mid-April, succeeds H.E. Audley Rodrigues, former High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, who was assigned as the first Ambassador of Jamaica to Kuwait in October, 2010.

Mrs. Taylor Roberts’ posting to the Republic of South Africa will be her first such as Head of Mission.

The High Commissioner Designate’s previous postings include: Deputy Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations, New York (2002-2007); Deputy Head of Mission to Belgium and the European Communities, now the European Union (1993-1996) and Deputy High Commissioner to Canada from 1984-1987.

From 2006-2007, the Jamaican High Commissioner Designate was Chair of the United Nations’ (UNs’) Committee for Programme & Coordination, and in 2005, she was the Chief Negotiator for the Developing Countries (G77& China) on Administrative and Budgetary Matters.

Some of Mrs. Taylor Roberts’ national assignments include: Member of the National Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (2007-2010); Chairperson, National Eligibility Committee on Refugees (2007-2009) and Member of the National Negotiating Team on Maritime Delimitation and Air Policy Agreements (1999-2002).

Mrs. Taylor Roberts is Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade’s outgoing Director of the International Organizations Department, (IOD), (2007-2010), and she was the Director of the Marine & Aviation Affairs Department (1999-2002).

The career diplomat and public servant of over 25 years, has a degree and post graduate diploma in International Relations, along with Public Relations and Journalism training, and plans to utilize her multiple skills to continue the good relations and work between Jamaica and the Republic of South Africa.

While her tasks will include a multitude of diplomatic activities, such as bilateral negotiations, conferences and consular activities, Mrs. Taylor Roberts has some special interests – increasing Jamaica/South Africa trade and tourism relations and strengthening cultural cooperation.

The High Commissioner Designate, who enjoys hiking, also plays the drums and steel pans.

Issued by: The Ministry of Foreign Affair & Foreign Trade