Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 October 2026.

Statement by Archie Young, UK Ambassador to the General Assembly, at the UN Fifth Committee.

We begin the 81st session after a year of significant achievement and we recognise the work of the previous Chair and Bureau in driving it forward.

June’s agreement on a revised credits methodology demonstrated what constructive engagement can deliver. 

We urge all members to bring that same spirit to our work: translating reform commitments into concrete results that strengthen our delivery on the ground.

During this Main Session, the UK will press for practical reforms that improve the UN’s effectiveness, sharpen accountability, and deliver value for money. 

All of this can help strengthen the UN’s positive impact for people across the world.

We will focus on three priorities.

Firstly, the Regular Budget. 

Last year, this Committee endorsed the UN80 agenda through the Revised Estimate. 

Reform, however, requires sustained effort. 

We welcome its continuation in the 2027 budget and look forward to further proposals, including to reduce senior posts in 2028.  

Second, the Resident Coordinator (RC) System. 

An empowered RC System is essential to a coherent UN Development System. 

We will assess the proposals against the need for sustainable and predictable funding, underpinned by strong accountability. 

Third, the Common System. 

The Committee will consider the Comprehensive Review and recommendations on the Noblemaire principle. 

This is a significant opportunity to secure a modern, fair, and sustainable compensation package. 

Across these priorities, our work should reflect the principles agreed in resolution 80/251. 

Reporting should be streamlined, duplication reduced, and new proposals accompanied by early indicative financial implications. 

Mandate discipline and budget discipline must go hand in hand.

We encourage the Secretariat and Bureau to set out how the Fifth Committee will take this work forward. 

Chair, the 80th session may be over, but the work of UN80 is not. 

By bringing the same spirit of constructive cooperation to the session ahead, this Committee can translate reform commitments into concrete results, maintaining momentum, exercising budget discipline, and concluding its work on time. 

In doing so, we can give the incoming Secretary-General and their team the strongest possible foundation to deliver a positive impact for people across the world.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 October 2026.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford highlighted reports of Russia’s violations of international law, including torture, enforced disappearances and the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children. He reaffirmed support for accountability mechanisms and urged Russia to agree an unconditional ceasefire and pursue a just and lasting peace.

Thank you, Moderator.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to inflict immense suffering on civilians.

More than four years after the start of the full-scale invasion, evidence assembled by OSCE/ODIHR, successive OSCE Moscow Mechanism expert missions, the United Nations and other independent bodies continues to paint a deeply disturbing picture. This reporting documents the Russian Federation’s persistent violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

OSCE/ODIHR has recorded accounts of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment, conflict-related sexual violence, and the fabricated prosecution of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. It has also documented systematic restrictions on fundamental rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, alongside the humanitarian consequences of Russia’s attacks on populated areas and civilian infrastructure.

Successive OSCE Moscow Mechanism expert missions have reinforced these findings. Experts have documented Russia’s unlawful transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, efforts to alter their identity, and programmes of militarisation and indoctrination. They have also reported widespread torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as well as allegations of executions, sexual violence and the denial of protections required under international law.

Moderator, the international community has not forgotten Bucha. It has not forgotten Irpin. Nor has it forgotten the countless communities across Ukraine where civilians have suffered as a result of Russia’s aggression.

Today, that suffering continues.

Russia has now intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities to unprecedented levels. August saw record numbers of jet-powered drone attacks and near-record numbers of ballistic missile strikes. July and August brought the two highest monthly civilian casualty totals of 2026. In the first eight months of this year, civilian casualties rose by 55 per cent compared with the same period last year.

As winter approaches, Russia has openly signalled its intention to intensify large-scale strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Millions of civilians once again face attacks that threaten to deprive them of electricity, heating and essential services.

The United Kingdom remains committed to accountability. We will continue to work with Ukraine to support efforts to document violations and preserve evidence, including of the over 260,000 recorded alleged war crimes. We will also continue to pursue justice through international and domestic mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression and the Register of Damage. 

The background context for this growing humanitarian suffering is clear. Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its readiness for peace. But Russia has instead chosen to intensify its attacks.

The United Kingdom calls again for Russia: to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire; to enter – in good faith – into serious negotiations; and to commit to a just and lasting peace – ending the dire humanitarian consequences of its war against Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 October 2026.

UK Statement on behalf of the Sudan Core Group, on the draft resolution on the human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan, as delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

Mr President, 

On behalf of a core group of Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom, I present draft resolution L.26, which responds to the Human Rights and Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan. 

Mr President, the UN Fact-Finding Mission’s report paints a devastating picture: communities shattered, millions displaced, and civilians trapped in a cycle of violence. Drone warfare conducted by both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces has extended the geographical reach of hostilities. Attacks on hospitals, markets, even a kindergarten, have left civilians with nowhere safe to go. Illegal flows of weapons and external support are enabling these atrocities, wreaking havoc across the region, and undermining prospects for peace. It is imperative that States and other external actors cease arming, financing and otherwise sustaining this devastating conflict.  

The core group calls for accountability across the full chain of responsibility, and via every avenue available. In this context we commend the critical work of the International Criminal Court to ensure accountability and justice for victims of atrocities in Sudan, and call for full Sudanese cooperation with the Court. 

Faced with unconscionable horrors across Sudan, this Council cannot look away. We must stand united. The UN Fact-Finding Mission is the only independent investigative body documenting and reporting on these violations and abuses across Sudan. We welcome its commitment to working in-step with other independent accountability efforts, in particular the Joint Fact-Finding Mission of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Banjul Joint Declaration in May of this year is testimony to the collaboration and complementarity between the UN mechanism and the African Union, whose leadership remains crucial to ending the conflict.  

Renewing the Fact-Finding Mission’s mandate is essential to enable justice in Sudan and lay the groundwork for future accountability.  

Throughout the session, we have held consultations and discussed this draft extensively with all delegations, starting with Sudan. We took on board many of the proposals made, including a number from Sudan themselves.  

It is regretful that these changes were not enough for the Sudanese authorities as this is a resolution very much for the people of Sudan.  

We reiterate the Banjul Joint Declaration’s recognition of the courage and resilience of victims, survivors and human rights defenders across Sudan who remain committed to peace and documentation efforts, often at great personal risk.  

These brave actors deserve more than this Council’s attention; they deserve our solidarity.  

We urge all members to stand with the people of Sudan and vote in favour of this resolution.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 October 2026.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford reaffirms the UK’s commitment to human rights, democratic institutions and media freedom, condemns Russia’s violations in Ukraine, and pledges continued support for civil society and the OSCE’s autonomous institutions.

Chair,

The UK strongly supports the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security, and the central place of the human dimension within it. Democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are essential to our collective security – and as the UK Foreign Secretary has made clear, defending these values is the only real route to peace and prosperity across our continent.

That is why the UK remains strongly committed to supporting the OSCE’s autonomous institutions, including ODIHR. Its work on election observation, democratic governance and human rights supports participating States and strengthens public confidence in democratic processes.

At a time of growing hybrid threats and attempts to undermine democratic elections, ODIHR’s role remains as vital as ever. We have seen the value of its independent election observation in recent elections this year, notably in Armenia and Hungary.

As 2026 co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, the UK will continue to champion independent and pluralistic media. We firmly support the mandate of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, whose work remains indispensable as journalists face intimidation, harassment, censorship and violence in parts of the OSCE region. Minister Elmore, the UK Foreign Office Minister for Human Rights, will focus on this issue when he visits Warsaw to attend this conference next week.

Supporting Ukraine remains the UK’s priority number one at the OSCE. ODIHR and other international reporting documents Russia’s continuing, widespread and systematic violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, such as arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The UK condemns Russia’s illegal war of aggression, including its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, its repression in temporarily occupied territories, and its wider assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Russian air attacks intensified significantly this summer. Russia’s increased use of ballistic missiles and jet drones in urban areas has caused extensive harm to civilians.

Russia’s illegitimate attempts to organise Duma elections in Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia are instruments of occupation, not democracy. These regions are part of Ukraine, and sham elections cannot change that.

Russia must stop these violations, withdraw from Ukraine, and respect its OSCE commitments. The UK remains resolute in supporting Ukraine and holding Russia to account.

Likewise, we commend ODIHR and other OSCE institutions for supporting Ukraine now, and for helping its institutions prepare for future democratic processes when conditions allow.

The human dimension is at the heart of the OSCE’s purpose, and this conference is an opportunity to demonstrate our shared commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The UK will continue to raise concerns where these commitments are not met, and support participating States, civil society and independent institutions working to uphold OSCE principles.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 October 2026.

The Speaker of the UK House of Commons, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, will visit Arusha to attend the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

More than 600 parliamentarians from around the world will gather for the Assembly, which is hosted for the first time by Tanzania and takes place in Arusha between 5-9 October 2026.

Sir Lindsay and his counterparts will discuss how to deliver good governance, empower communities, and tackle shared challenges, including climate change and inequality.

He will meet young Tanzanians and alumni of UK-supported Commonwealth and Chevening scholarship programmes, to hear about their achievements and leadership aspirations.

He will also visit students and teachers at a Special Secondary School – and learn more about longstanding UK-Tanzanian efforts to strengthen inclusive education for children with disabilities and special educational needs.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, UK Speaker of the House of Commons, said:

In a world that faces a number of challenges, it’s so important for parliamentarians to have a forum to discuss how we deal with these in an ever more interconnected society. The IPU Assembly will be a great opportunity to exchange ideas and best practice with parliamentary colleagues from across the globe.

I am also looking forward to witnessing first-hand how UK-supported programmes have helped develop Tanzania’s leaders of the future, as well as our joint efforts to expand inclusive education in the country.

Sally Hedley, UK Chargé d’Affaires to Tanzania, said:

I am delighted to welcome UK Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to Tanzania for the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, to engage with fellow parliamentarians on good governance and tackling shared global challenges.

The UK is proud to be a longstanding development partner in Tanzania, working alongside Tanzanians to expand inclusive education and provide opportunities for ambitious young leaders to study at the UK’s world-class universities.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 October 2026.

UK Statement for the Item 10 General Debate. Delivered at the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Madame Vice President,

Item 10 remains key to the promotion and protection of human rights.

We know that lasting human rights progress depends on more than commitments. It depends on effective institutions, independent judiciaries, accountable governance, and the capacity to deliver rights in practice.

When applied effectively, technical assistance helps states strengthen national institutions, improve access to justice, and support the implementation of international obligations.

It is also valuable in preventing a cliff edge in support when country situations evolve: supporting states on the path from scrutiny and reporting towards sustainable implementation and long-term progress.

Strong institutions are the best defence against future violations, and technical assistance is one of the most effective tools this Council has to support them.

The United Kingdom will continue to champion technical assistance and capacity building, and thanks the Office of the High Commissioner for their work in providing this valuable support.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 October 2026.

UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr Vice-President.

The United Kingdom thanks the High Commissioner for his report and remains deeply concerned by the grave human rights situation, particularly in eastern DRC.

We are alarmed by continuing reports of unlawful killings, conflict-related sexual violence, the recruitment and use of children, arbitrary detention, and attacks against schools, healthcare facilities and civilian infrastructure. The findings of the UN’s investigations underline the gravity of the situation facing civilians in eastern DRC.

We are particularly concerned by the impact of the conflict on women and children, the continued displacement of millions of people, and the obstacles this creates for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We are also concerned by the continued transmissions of Ebola, which is exacerbating vulnerabilities among conflict-affected populations and placing strain on already overstretched health services.

The UK reiterates its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and calls on all parties to comply with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Those responsible for violations and abuses must be held accountable.

What further action is needed from the international community to strengthen civilian protection, support the response to the Ebola outbreak, and ensure accountability for human rights abuses and violations?