Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 May 2024.

Several countries gave a joint statement on sanctions designations on actors and entities involved in the unlawful transfer of arms from North Korea to Russia.

Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, and the EU gave a statement on their recent sanctions designations on actors and entities involved in the unlawful transfer of arms from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Russia:

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the High Representative of the European Union, and the Secretary of State of the United States of America affirm that the recent sanctions designations by each of our governments represent a coordinated effort to hold the DPRK and Russia to account and to impose costs on actors and entities involved in the unlawful transfer of arms from the DPRK to Russia for use in attacking Ukraine.

Our governments stand in resolute opposition to these continued arms transfers, which Russia has used to strike Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, prolonging the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

We are gravely concerned by the deepening DPRK-Russia cooperation in flagrant violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions and condemn Russia’s veto of the UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of the UN 1718 Committee Panel of Experts.

By the use of its veto, Russia has sought to deprive all UN member states of the objective and independent information and guidance they need to implement binding Security Council resolutions concerning the DPRK which all remain in effect.

We call on the DPRK and Russia to cease unlawful arms transfers and urge the DPRK to take concrete steps towards abandoning all nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

We urge the DPRK to respond to the numerous and genuine offers to return to diplomacy, the only path to an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 May 2024.

Ambassador Holland tells the OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Committee that Russia’s commitment to refrain from acts of economic coercion lies in tatters.

I would like to thank you and the Maltese CiO for dedicating a committee session to this topic. It is quite right that our sessions are flexible enough to address the key concerns of the day.

Mr Chair, can I start by noting that normally when one makes a complaint, it makes sense to stay to listen to the answer just in case it actually addresses or solves the complaint you raised.  We sit and listen to Russian disinformation and propaganda in this building every week with more respect than many of us feel is deserved. So I thought the behaviour of the Russian delegation in registering a complaint and leaving without bothering to listen to your explanation was rude and disrespectful to the Chair.

Chair, let us be clear when we talk about the ‘destruction of critical infrastructure in Ukraine’ – this is not destruction caused by hurricanes or floods; not even because of human mismanagement or negligence. The destruction is entirely intentional as one participating State – Russia – seeks to break down Ukraine’s resolve.

In this organisation’s 1975 Decalogue, Russia joined all other States to commit to ‘refraining from any act of military or economic coercion designed to subordinate to their own interest another participating State’s sovereignty.’ With Russia’s invasion and subsequent assault on Ukraine’s infrastructure, this commitment lies in tatters.

Mr Chair, this spring Russia has targeted power-plants, electricity sub-stations and gas storage facilities across Ukraine. Russia’s deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure have caused millions of people to experience restrictions to power, heating, and water; and thousands have been displaced. What is more, these attacks hamper humanitarian efforts to stop the situation getting even worse.

When Russia has decided to end its senseless war the OSCE could play a key post-conflict role. We were happy to support the OSCE’s assessment of the environmental impact of the war against Ukraine. This, and many other assessments, will be important in holding Russia to account.

To help, the UK has committed £44 million to the Energy Community’s Ukraine Energy Support Fund, and we encourage others to do the same. Together, we will help Ukraine repair, restore, and defend its infrastructure. We also remain committed to a sustainable recovery. The Ukraine Recovery Conference will support Ukraine’s ambition to build a modern, secure, decentralised, and cleaner energy system, fit for a Net Zero future and with greater integration with Europe.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 May 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing by UNHCR.

Thank you, President, and thank you, High Commissioner Grandi for your powerful remarks today.

This meeting comes at a crucial moment. As the High Commissioner has told us, the number of people who have been forced from their homes continues to rise, with direct impacts for regional stability and international peace and security.

We all have a role to play in reversing this trend, not just because it is the right thing to do for displaced people and host communities, but because it is necessary if we are to leave no one behind and meet the Sustainable Development Goals. As we raise our collective ambition in line with the 2030 goals – for inclusive education, for women and girls, and for climate resilient populations – the UK is committed to efforts to address the root causes of displacement, to tackle human trafficking and to ensure that displaced populations are not left behind.

This Council has a role in tackling rising displacement, including by addressing the conflicts that are driving it. We have discussed the very concerning situations in Gaza and Ukraine in recent days. So today, I will focus my remarks on the UK’s efforts in two contexts which require more international attention including in this Council.
First, the Rohingya have faced decades of persecution and are the largest stateless population in the world. Almost a quarter have been confined to IDP camps in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Around one million Rohingya refugees live in camps in Bangladesh, the majority of whom arrived in 2017 after fleeing ethnic cleansing by the Myanmar military. They are heavily reliant on humanitarian aid, with very little opportunity to work and largely unable to leave. The UK is a leading donor to the Rohingya response and our humanitarian programme is focused on meeting the basic and urgent needs of refugees. Since 2017 we have provided over $57 million of support to the Rohingya and other Muslim minorities in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and over $496 million in Bangladesh to the Rohingya. We must also do more as a Council to bring an end to the conflict in Myanmar.

Second, President, the consequences of the Sudan conflict have been devastating for civilians. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces are responsible for appalling human rights abuses. Sudan is now the world’s largest displacement crisis, with more than 8.8 million people forced to flee their homes to escape violence and hunger, including 2.1 million who have fled to neighbouring countries. These communities remain vulnerable, often unable to access basic needs, including food, shelter, clean water, sanitation, and medicine. The United Kingdom has nearly doubled our humanitarian assistance to over $110 million to support the Sudanese people. And we will continue to work with Council members towards urgent de-escalation, in particular around El Fasher, a ceasefire and a political process to deliver sustainable peace and improved humanitarian access.

Finally, along with many other states and partners, the UK was pleased to announce new commitments to support refugees and host communities at December’s Global Refugee Forum.

In the face of unprecedented need, now is the time to renew our efforts to address the drivers of displacement and deliver meaningful change for displaced people. Under the leadership of the High Commissioner, we must now work together to translate the commitments we have all made into tangible action that helps to address the needs of the displaced and advances the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees.
The UK also remains committed to improving international efforts to tackle the scourge of people smuggling and human trafficking. It is vital that we all work together to make migration more safe, orderly, and regular. I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 May 2024.

Following North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 30 May, a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson gave a statement.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 30 May are another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK strongly urges North Korea to stop such provocations, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 May 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

We are in the 14th year of this conflict. So let me make three broad points about the changes we need to see.

First, one year on from Syria’s readmission to the League of Arab States, we have seen no real change in the regime’s behaviour. Not on human right violations. Not on the safety of civilians. And not on creating the conditions for the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of refugees. What’s more, Captagon flows have continued to increase, threatening the stability of the region. And Daesh attacks are increasing. We call on the Syrian regime to respond to the positive overtures of our Arab partners by changing its behaviour.

Second, we continue to respond to the devastating humanitarian crisis. This week, the UK and other donors met in Brussels to pledge our support to the Syrian people. The UK is proud to have committed up to $264 million in humanitarian assistance this year, bringing our total funding to over $5 billion since the crisis began. This aid will be delivered to communities across Syria, and includes $43.7 million for early recovery. We are stepping up our humanitarian funding and we call on others to do the same.

We also call on the regime to grant cross-border access for as long as is required, based on humanitarian needs. We note the renewal of permissions earlier this month for aid to cross through two border points. However, as others have said, these short-term and last-minute extensions by the regime mean access is still unpredictable. Since needs are higher than ever in Syria, humanitarians need to be able to reach people in a predictable, principled and cost-effective way. The three remaining UN border crossing points are a critical lifeline, and humanitarian agencies need safe access to reach populations in need.

Finally, President, the only long-term solution to ending this conflict is through the UN-led political process based on resolution 2254. We reiterate our support to your efforts, Special Envoy, and we call on the parties to cooperate fully towards delivering a lasting political settlement in Syria.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 May 2024.

UK Statement on PRSEAH (Prevent Sexual Abuse and Harassment) on behalf of 48 countries at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 48 countries:

• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• EU27 MS
• Japan
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Norway
• North Macedonia
• Panama
• Peru
• Philippines
• Republic of Korea
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• United States

We commend the advances WHO has made to strengthen its systems, policies, and culture to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.  The challenges have been immense but the sustained efforts to date and level of senior engagement in this area have demonstrated that real change and real progress can be made. WHO has shown agility in its response, the ability to prioritise, the ability to self-reflect, and a commitment to zero tolerance.

We urge WHO to sustain this commitment and leadership. Whilst great progress has been made, we – the WHO community – cannot afford to take our foot off the gas now.

Efforts to deliver culture change, to focus on prevention, to prioritise PRSEAH in emergencies and support victim-survivors – all these areas are deserving of further focus and efforts. Establishing an ethical culture that advances gender equality needs to be a clear goal.

The job is not done. We recognise that embedding these changes takes time, especially behaviour and culture change, and particularly in a large and complex organisation such as WHO.

We encourage sustained funding and focus on PRSEAH work in regional and country offices and particularly in responses to health emergencies.

WHO must continue in this positive direction with high ambitions for success. We expect full continued commitment from senior management in promoting a trust-based organisational culture, and on ensuring a safe and respectful workplace, free of any form of misconduct and stigmatisation of victim-survivors. We will be closely following these efforts and are ready to continue to support WHO however we can.