Senior Tibetan Civil Servant to Lead London-based Office of Tibet After 15 Years

(By Tsering Passang, London)

In a significant diplomatic development, Mrs. Tsering Yangkey, a seasoned civil servant from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamsala, has been appointed as the new Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the United Kingdom. This marks the first time in 15 years that a senior Tibetan civil servant from Dharamsala will head the Office of Tibet in London. 

The Office of Tibet, responsible for maintaining diplomatic relations with the UK, Ireland, Northern Europe, and the Baltic States, will be under Yangkey’s stewardship as the UK experiences a political shift. This appointment follows the Labour Party’s landslide victory earlier this month under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, ending the Conservative Party’s 14-year rule.

Mrs. Tsering Yangkey’s new role also signifies a milestone as she becomes the second Tibetan woman diplomat to serve as the Dalai Lama’s Representative to the UK. Her extensive experience within the CTA positions her as an exemplary ambassador for Tibetans in the UK. Tibetans and supporters eagerly anticipate her contributions to the Tibetan cause.

Distinguished Career of Secretary Tsering Yangkey

Born on June 15, 1971, in the Mundgod Tibetan Settlement, South India, Tsering Yangkey began her career with the CTA in 1996 as Under Secretary in the Department of Religion and Culture. Over the years, she has held several key positions:

• Deputy Secretary, Department of Religion and Culture (1999)
• Joint Secretary, Department of Finance (2007)
• Joint Secretary, Department of Health (2008)
• Director, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (2012)
• Additional Secretary, Tibet Policy Institute (2014)
• Additional Secretary, Department of Information and International Relations (2016)
• Director, Tibet Policy Institute (2018)
• Secretary, Tibetan Election and Public Service Commission (2019 – present)

Yangkey’s progression through various departments of the CTA highlights her dedication and multifaceted expertise, making her well-suited for her new diplomatic role in London.

The Tibetan community and their supporters in the UK, Ireland, Northern Europe and the Baltic States look forward to Yangkey’s leadership in fostering stronger diplomatic relations and advancing the cause of Tibetan people’s rights and justice. Her appointment is a testament to the growing recognition and support for Tibetan leadership on the global stage, currently led by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Congratulations to Tsering Yangkey on her new role as the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the UK. Her extensive experience and dedication promise to bring a renewed focus and vigour to the Office of Tibet in London.

Secretary Tsering Yangkyi is Appointed Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Office of Tibet, London

Central Tibetan Administration – www.tibet.net