Sir Derek Plumbly is a distinguished British diplomat with a career spanning decades, primarily focused on the Arab world. He served as the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon from 2012 to 2015, following three years as Chair of the international commission overseeing the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan (2008-2011). His extensive diplomatic postings include serving as British Ambassador to Egypt from 2003 to 2007 and to Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2003.