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The Embassy of Barbados in Geneva |
Contact
Address
Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
Chemin François-Lehmann 18A
1218 Grand-Saconnex
Phone Number
+41 22 791 85 00
Fax Number
+41 22 920 98 58
Email
geneva@foreign.gov.bb
The Ambassador
H.E. Mr. Matthew Anthony Wilson
H.E. Mr. Matthew Anthony Wilson has served as the Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva since November 2022, when he presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Wilson worked at the International Trade Centre (ITC) from 2013 to 2022, serving first as Chief of Staff and Chief Adviser to the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director (2013–2021), and later as Chief of Special Projects (2021–2022). He previously worked at the World Trade Organization (WTO) from 2010 to 2013, first as Deputy Aid for Trade Coordinator and later as Senior Adviser/Counsellor in the Office of the Director-General.
Mr. Wilson previously served at the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations Office at Geneva from 2002 to 2009 and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados from 1998 to 2002. He has more than two decades of experience in international trade and development. Mr. Wilson holds a Master of Business Administration from the London School of Economics (2022), a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Bath (2002), a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago (1997–1998), and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Psychology from the University of the West Indies (1994–1997).
History
Barbados became a member of the United Nations on 9 December 1966, shortly after gaining independence on 30 November 1966. Since joining the UN, Barbados has actively participated in multilateral diplomacy, particularly on issues affecting small island developing states (SIDS), including climate change, sustainable development, ocean governance, disaster resilience, and international development cooperation. Barbados has consistently used the UN platform to advocate for the interests of vulnerable island states and for stronger international action on global challenges.
The Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva represents Barbados in Geneva-based UN institutions and international organizations. The Mission works on issues including trade, development, human rights, humanitarian affairs, health, labour, and other areas of relevance to Barbados’ foreign policy priorities. Geneva is particularly important for Barbados due to the presence of institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other bodies involved in global economic and social cooperation.
