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Letters of Credence and Winter Diplomatic Reception

March 10, 2020

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, received the letters of credence of five new heads of mission during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

His Excellency Adriatik Kryeziu

Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo

His Excellency Pedro Henrique Lopes Borio

Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil

Her Excellency Fatima Braoulé Méïté

Ambassador of the Republic of Mali 

His Excellency Ajay Bisaria

High Commissioner for the Republic of India

His Excellency Aly Diané

Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea

About the Presentation of Letters of Credence

Upon their arrival in Canada, and before they can carry out their duties as heads of mission, new ambassadors, as well as new high commissioners of countries for which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is not head of State, must be officially welcomed by the Governor General of Canada. High commissioners representing countries for which The Queen is the head of State are formally introduced to the prime minister of Canada. Letters of credence are the official documents by which new heads of diplomatic missions are presented by their head of State as their official representative. Currently, there are more than 180 missions accredited to Canada.

A photo of flags lined up in the Tent Room at Rideau Hall during a Letters of Credence ceremony.
The Governor General shakes hands with the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Kosovo.
The Governor General shakes hands with the Ambassador-designate of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
The Governor General shakes hands with the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Mali.
The Governor General shakes hands with the High Commissioner-designate for the Republic of India.
The ambassador-designate of the Republic of Guinea bows to the Governor General before presenting his letters of credence.
The Governor General shakes hands with the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Guinea.
The Governor General stands and poses for a photo with new heads of mission to Canada.
The Governor General delivers remarks from a podium during a Letters of Credence ceremony at Rideau Hall.
The Governor General delivers remarks from a podium during a Letters of Credence ceremony at Rideau Hall.
The Governor General delivers remarks from a podium during a Letters of Credence ceremony at Rideau Hall.

In the evening, the Governor General hosted the Winter Diplomatic Reception at Rideau Hall. She was joined by members of the Diplomatic Corps to Canada.

Members of the diplomatic corps skate at the Rideau Hall rink.
Two members of the diplomatic corps skate at the Rideau Hall rink.
A photo of the Rideau Hall skating rink taken from above, bustling with skaters.
A photo of the Rideau Hall skating rink taken from above, bustling with skaters.
A photo of a man roasting a marshmallow on a fire at Rideau Hall.
A photo of a warm fire at Rideau Hall, marshmallow roasting above.
A Rideau Hall employee pours maple taffy onto ice during the Winter Diplomatic Reception.
A photo of the Rideau Hall skating rink taken from above, bustling with skaters.
A photo of the Governor General meeting with members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Rideau Hall skating rink.
The Governor General skates with members of the Diplomatic Corps during the Winter Diplomatic Reception at Rideau Hall.
Members of the diplomatic corps skate at the Rideau Hall rink.
The Governor General sings with the choir inside the Tent Room at Rideau Hall during the Winter Diplomatic Reception.
The Governor General meets with members of the Diplomatic Corps inside the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.
The Governor General meets with members of the Diplomatic Corps inside the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.
The Governor General addresses members of the Diplomatic Corps inside the Tent Room at Rideau Hall.
The Governor General addresses members of the Diplomatic Corps inside a packed Tent Room at Rideau Hall.
A choir sings inside the Tent Room at Rideau Hall during the Winter Diplomatic Reception.
The Governor General sings with the choir inside the Tent Room at Rideau Hall during the Winter Diplomatic Reception.
The Governor General speaks with a member of the Diplomatic Corps during the Winter Diplomatic Reception at Rideau Hall.

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