Her Excellency Winnie Kiap CBE is an eminent Papua New Guinean diplomat and global leader in governance reform.
She was the first woman appointed Secretary to Papua New Guinea’s National Executive Council
(1998–2008). From 2011 to 2022, Her Excellency Kiap served as Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to the UK, one of the longest diplomatic postings in the nation’s history. From London she was accredited to Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, South Africa and Zimbabwe. She chaired the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors from 2016 to 2018, working alongside a female Commonwealth Secretary‑General – a landmark moment of female leadership at the highest levels of the Commonwealth. In 2025, Her Excellency Kiap became the first female Pacific Islander to chair the Commonwealth Foundation.
Named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015 and Diplomat of the Year for Most Contributions to the Commonwealth in 2018, she is a champion of reform and gender inclusion, actively supporting legislative change to combat family and gender-based violence through Coalition for Change PNG.
"I would like to ensure that the next generation understands that all life on the planet has a symbiotic relationship and should be respected, conserved and protected. That the planet itself is under threat. That they must do all that they can to ensure their children and children’s children have a future."
