Ambassador of Ireland to Mozambique
Patrick Empey
Welcome Message from Ambassador Empey
I am delighted to welcome you to the website of the Embassy of Ireland in Maputo. It is an honour for me to have taken up duty as Ambassador of Ireland to Mozambique in October 2022.
The Government of Ireland first opened an embassy in Mozambique in 1996 to demonstrate our commitment to deepening and strengthening the relationship and close ties between Mozambique and Ireland.
Since 2020, the work of the Embassy has been guided by a five year strategy The Global Ireland: Ireland in Mozambique, Eswatini and Madagascar 2020 – 2024 which aligns closely with A Better World: Ireland's Policy for International Development. This Strategy sets out Ireland’s ambition to deepen bilateral, political, economic and cultural cooperation between Ireland and Mozambique, as well as our two countries of secondary accreditation, Eswatini and Madagascar. It reflects our priorities across the five pillars of Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World and has as its overarching goal to promote Ireland’s values and interests in Mozambique, with a focus on the empowerment of women and girls. Support for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing inequality is at the core of the Embassy’s mission.
There are key areas of focus for our Mission Strategy and our development cooperation programme in Mozambique:
- Gender equality;
- Health;
- Education;
- Climate change;
- Governance.
Following on from that, our Strategy identifies the following core outcomes for our work:
Ø Progress towards more peaceful, safe and prosperous societies;
Ø Improved business and fiscal environments;
Ø Delivery of high-quality consular services and assistance;
Ø Improved social services, with a focus on education, health and social protection;
Ø Strengthened governance and accountability.
Our team at the Embassy provides consular services to the Irish community and guidance on visas to Mozambicans, Swazis and Malagasy interested in travelling to Ireland. The Embassy also manages the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme for Mozambique, a scholarship initiative that aims to nurture future leaders and develop in-country capacity to achieve the SDGs.
A key priority for all Irish diplomatic missions is the promotion and facilitation of trade and business links between Ireland and our countries of accreditation. The Embassy is more than happy to assist any Irish companies interested in doing business in the country and I would encourage them to contact the Embassy for advice.
If you believe that the Embassy may be able to assist you in exploring opportunities for trade with Ireland or in Mozambique please do not hesitate to get in touch.
We often arrange cultural and social events for our Irish community and friends. If you would like to be added to our database to attend these events, please contact us.
For those planning to visit Mozambique we recommend registering your details with the Embassy and checking our Travel Advice Section before you travel. We welcome feedback on our website and on the services we provide – please contact us with any comments or queries and stay in touch via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Biography of Ambassador Empey
Patrick Empey is the Ambassador of Ireland to the Republic of Mozambique (and Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Eswatini). Ambassador Empey presented credentials in Mozambique in October 2022.
Patrick Empey has worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for 26 years. Prior to joining the DFA, he worked in the private sector and the United Nations. He entered DFA in 1996. He has held various positions in the Department in Ireland and abroad, Development Specialist in Maputo (1996 – 2000) and Addis Ababa (2000 – 2003). Evaluation Manager (2003 – 2007), Deputy Head of Mission in Maputo (2007–2013), Head of Human Development (2013–2017), Deputy Head of Evaluation (2017 – 2021) and Counsellor (August 2021–until his appointment as the Ambassador to Mozambique).
Born in Canada in 1961, Ambassador Empey has an academic background in Public Policy, Economics, and Sociology. He speaks English and Portuguese. He is married and has two children. His hobbies include sports, reading and music.