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The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 September 2024.

Joint funding announced between the UK and Kuwait to help UNICEF deliver lifesaving aid to almost 2.5 million people in Gaza and Yemen.

• the UK and Kuwait announce new joint funding of £4.5 million to help UNICEF deliver lifesaving aid to almost 2.5 million people in Gaza and Yemen
• the agreement was secured in the margins of the 21st UK-Kuwait Joint Steering Group in London
• the UK’s Minister for the Middle East and Kuwait’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed key pillars of bilateral cooperation, and took part in Kuwait Culture Week in London

The UK and Kuwait have today (Wednesday 4 September) announced new joint funding plans to help UNICEF deliver lifesaving aid to almost 2.5 million people in Gaza and Yemen.

The funding will go towards UNICEF’s efforts to restore water supply and sanitation systems in Gaza, and to sustain primary healthcare services in Yemen, and has been set out in two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by both parties.

The UK and Kuwait will provide £4.5 million of joint support ($6 million in total – $3 million to each project), to UNICEF, whose work is expected to benefit approximately 1,000,000 in Gaza and 1,450,000 people in Yemen.

Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said:

Conflict has aggravated the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Yemen and the UK is committed to pushing for more lifesaving aid to reach those in desperate need.

The UK and Kuwait’s joint funding towards UNICEF’s lifesaving work in Gaza and Yemen demonstrates our shared commitment to tackle some of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

I am proud of the UK and Kuwait’s close ties, which have now endured for more than 125 years and continue to go from strength to strength.

Kuwait’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said:

This year marks an important milestone for both the State of Kuwait and the UK as we jointly commemorate 125 years of partnership. Kuwait is proud of its deep-rooted and historic ties with the UK and is committed to deepening this partnership in all its aspects. This week in London, we were happy to witness the commencement of the Kuwait cultural week in the UK and the successful convening of the 21st session of the JSG. The Action Plan signed during the JSG paves the way for further collaboration in a number of fields.

We are pleased to cooperate with the UK to support the essential work of UNICEF in both Palestine and Yemen. As pioneers in the field of international development, both our countries will continue to explore avenues of cooperation to provide development and humanitarian assistance to populations affected by conflicts and natural disasters.

UNICEF’s Representative to the Gulf Area Eltayeb Adam said:

UNICEF deeply appreciates the generous contributions from both the UK and Kuwait, which will have a transformative impact on the lives of children and families in Gaza and Yemen.

This funding is not just a financial commitment; it is a beacon of hope for communities struggling with the devastating consequences of conflict. Together, we can ensure that essential services such as water, sanitation, and healthcare reach those who need them most, restoring dignity and a sense of normalcy to countless lives.

The 21st UK-Kuwait Joint Steering Group (JSG) was co-chaired in London today by the UK Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, and Kuwait’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

In the margins of the JSG, Minister Falconer and the Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development Waleed Al-Bahar signed the two MoUs.

In addition, Minister Falconer and Sheikh Jarrah also reached an agreement for planned UK support to Kuwait’s Civil Service Commission on the delivery of training programmes to Kuwaiti Government employees, and signed an action plan detailing how their respective Governments will drive forward cooperation on a range of key issues such as defence and security and international development and humanitarian partnerships, over the coming months.

The UK and Kuwait are celebrating 125 years of official diplomatic relations throughout 2024. Yesterday (Tuesday 3 September), Minister Falconer and Sheikh Jarrah attended the headline performance of a special “Kuwait Culture Week” organised by Kuwait’s Embassy in London, titled “Rhythms of Kuwait”.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 September 2024.

In these Commonwealth Services we remember all those of the Commonwealth of Nations who gave their lives at sea, on land and in the air in two world wars. We also remember the brave people of the Polish Armed Forces who fought and died here on their soil and abroad alongside their comrades from the Commonwealth.

Dates of the services:

*Lidzbark Warmiński – Commonwealth War Cemetery; Tuesday 5 November 2024, 10:40am

*Malbork – Commonwealth War Cemetery; Wednesday 6 November 2024, 10:40am

*Kraków – Commonwealth War Cemetery (Rakowicki Cemetery); Friday, 8 November 2024, 10:40am

*Warsaw – RAF Liberator Memorial Stone in Skaryszewski Park; Sunday, 10 November 2024, 10:40am

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 September 2024.

High-Level Informal Presidential Discussion on new technologies, Artificial Intelligence and the digital divide. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Mr President,

Thank you for convening today’s session, thank you to our panellists for their insights but also their challenges.

As we’ve heard, new and emerging technologies, such as AI, don’t just have the potential to transform our societies. They are already doing so. Whilst they can facilitate the promotion and protection of Human Rights, they also pose risks.

We are at a critical juncture as we grapple to regulate effectively a technology that develops exponentially. We are proud to have played our role in enabling that discussion, not least through the inaugural AI Safety Summit last year and passed our mantle onto Korea and now France. We are committed to the development of safe, ethical AI in which to use Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s excellent phrase, human rights are the bedrock of our digital future.

We must avoid deepening the digital divide as this technology develops. By working together, we can achieve a digital transformation that is inclusive, sustainable, protects human rights and harnesses tech to get the SDGs back on track.

Finally, Mr President, we look forward to the conclusion of the Global Digital Compact in which human rights are central to the development and use of tech and enhances OHCHR’s capacity to provide an advisory service on Human Rights for governments and partners alike.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 September 2024.

Pakistani students from every corner of the country have been given British High Commissioner Jane Marriott’s top tips for living in the UK, ahead of a year studying at British universities.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Commonwealth Scholarship programme, and 46 Chevening and 47 Commonwealth scholarships have been awarded to Pakistanis. These long-standing programmes have developed a network of over 1,500 Commonwealth and nearly 2,000 Chevening alumni in Pakistan, who regularly meet to discuss live issues.

Scholars come from diverse backgrounds, representing the rich cultural tapestry of Pakistan. This year’s cohort come from Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Pakistan Administered Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and the Federal Capital Territory. Over 60% of this year’s Chevening scholars are women. The British High Commission strongly encourages people from all backgrounds and across Pakistan to apply.

British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said:

“The Chevening programme helps develop a new generation of Pakistani leaders and changemakers. Many of our alumni have gone one to achieve extraordinary things back home. Not only do they get the benefit of studying at some of the best universities in the world, they also get to experience the best of living in the UK. From climate studies to football coaching, I am looking forward to seeing what they achieve, and encourage all those interested to apply early.”

Fareeha Gull Hashmi, Assistant Manager of Oral History Project Citizens Archive of Pakistan and upcoming Chevening scholar, said:

“I am thrilled to be joining the University of Essex for my MA in Heritage and Museum Studies. This programme is exactly what I was looking for to help me on my journey to improve heritage and cultural preservation in Pakistan. I can’t wait for my journey to begin.”

The cohort includes those on a scholarship in Football Science, with the support of Swindon Town Football Club. For the first time, this year’s cohort also saw an additional scholarship for Heritage and Museum Studies with the support of Essex University. This scholarship will cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs. This, and a University of Essex Scholarship for Climate Studies, are again available in this year’s application cycle, as are additional scholarships from the University of Birmingham.

This month, the British High Commission launched Chevening Connect in Karachi, a new debate series bringing together industry experts and Chevening alumni. The first debate, on tackling climate, looked at the technical, economic and political leadership needed to support Pakistan with adaptation and resilience.

Notes to editors

• Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK from 2025-26 will close on 5 November. Applications for the South Asia Journalism Programme, a two-month journalism fellowship with the University of Westminster, are open and will close on 10 October. Applications for the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies fellowship, a five-month fellowship, are open and will close on 5 November 2024. To find out more about eligibility and to apply, visit Chevening
• Applications for the Commonwealth Scholarships for 2025-26 will open later this year. For more information, visit the CSC website at Homepage – Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (fcdo.gov.uk)