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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rebecca Hilsenrath is confirmed as the acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rebecca Hilsenrath is confirmed as the acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 May 2024.

    Rebecca Hilsenrath is confirmed as the acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman from 18 April 2024.

    Hilsenrath is moving from her role as the PHSO’s Chief Executive, to which she was appointed in July 2023. Previously she was the Chief Legal Officer and then Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, after which she joined the PHSO as Director of External Affairs, Strategy and Communications in 2021.

    Under Section 3A of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 and Section 2 to Schedule 1 of the Health Commissioners Act 1993, the acting Ombudsman is appointed by His Majesty by Letters Patent for up to 12 months, or until a new Ombudsman is appointed. Rebecca Hilsenrath’s appointment as the acting Ombudsman was approved by the House of Commons on 25 March 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Home Secretary delivering on promises to tackle immigration [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Home Secretary delivering on promises to tackle immigration [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 May 2024.

    Progress on immigration as numbers on key visa routes fall 24%, detentions start after passing of Rwanda law, and a major crackdown begins on illegal working.

    The Home Secretary’s strong action to tackle both legal and illegal migration is working and delivering progress, as data reveals a dramatic drop in visa numbers, whilst the first flights to Rwanda draw closer as the first cohort of illegal migrants to be removed are detained.

    New monthly visa statistics revealed that the Home Secretary’s comprehensive reforms to address unsustainable levels of legal migration are already starting to have a decisive impact. Visa applications across key routes affected by the changes fell by 24% in the first 3 months of 2024, compared with the same period last year.

    This comes as the government has moved quickly to operationalise its landmark policy to stop the boats and deter migrants making perilous and illegal journeys across the channel. The first group of migrants set for removal to Rwanda are being detained following a series of Immigration Enforcement operations across the country, whilst the first migrant to arrive in Rwanda through the voluntary scheme was successfully relocated.

    Meanwhile, leading food delivery companies have agreed to introduce enhanced security checks on their apps to prevent the market being abused by illegal workers, following a series of discussions with ministers and officials across government.

    Home Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

    Across the board our plan is working – we are delivering a fairer and stronger immigration system.

    Legal migration reached grossly unsustainable levels, but we worked quickly to implement the changes I brought forward last year. The early signs show strong progress, and numbers will continue to fall.

    And our partnership with Rwanda is moving forward at great speed. We must deter those risking their lives in the channel, and this week we have shown that we mean it when we say you will be detained and removed if you come here illegally.

    Migration is a global issue, but the UK stands at the forefront of the response and we’re tackling it head on. With robust, innovative, and unrelenting action, we are delivering as promised.

    New monthly visa statistics show falling numbers across Skilled Worker, Health and Care, and Study visa routes. This includes, in the first 3 months of the year, the number of student dependants fell by almost 80% compared to the same period last year, after a restriction was placed on most postgraduate students bringing family with them from January.

    Later this month, the Migration Advisory Committee will complete their rapid review of the Graduate Route as part of the government’s plan to protect the integrity and quality of UK higher education and ensure it works in the best interests of the UK. The committee’s findings will be considered closely and the government will act if change is necessary.

    The government’s full plan to cut legal migration would mean 300,000 who arrived last year would be unable to do so under the new rules and new monthly statistics will allow the public to see the impact of the full set of measures.

    Following the passage into law of the Safety of Rwanda Act and the ratification of the Treaty with Rwanda, the Home Office has moved quickly to arrest and detain the initial cohort of migrants to be removed. Preparations are now being made to safely remove them to Rwanda where they can start rebuilding their lives, with a flight set to take off within 9 to 11 weeks.

    Under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership the government is now also able to send those with no right to remain in the UK to Rwanda under the voluntary removals route, the first individual has been successfully relocated and is being fully supported.

    As part of the government’s wider efforts to tackle and deter illegal migration, including cracking down on incentives to cross the channel, Minister Michael Tomlinson, the Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, and Minister Kevin Hollinrake, the Minister for Business and Trade, met with representatives from Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. All 3 companies agreed to enhanced security checks on their apps to prevent account sharing by those looking for work who have no right to be in the UK.

    They will now change their processes to ensure substitute riders are working in the UK legally and that right to work checks will be carried out, helping to protect the economy and legitimate workers.

    Progress demonstrated comes as the government’s wider plan to tackle illegal migration continues to deliver. In 2023, small boat crossing fell by a third on the previous year whilst enforcement visits rose by 49% and arrests more than doubled. Returns of those with no right to be in the UK increased by two-thirds.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Madagascar – Patrick Lynch [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Madagascar – Patrick Lynch [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2024.

    Mr Patrick Lynch has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar in succession to Mr David Ashley.

    Mr Patrick Lynch has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar in succession to Mr David Ashley who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Lynch will take up his appointment during August 2024.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Patrick Martin Lynch

    Year Role
    2019 to 2023 Victoria, British High Commissioner
    2016 to 2019 Washington DC, Head of US Office of Hedayah, Intergovernmental Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism
    2013 to 2016 Abu Dhabi, Director of Capacity Building Programmes, Hedayah, Intergovernmental Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism
    2012 to 2013 Northern Ireland Office, Head of Community Engagement Strategy
    2010 to 2012 Northern Ireland Office, Head of Political Affairs Unit
    2008 to 2010 Kabul, First Secretary – Criminal Justice
    2006 to 2008 Northern Ireland Office, Head of Human Rights and Equality Unit
    2003 to 2006 Northern Ireland Office, Policy Officer, Policing Reforms Division
    2001 to 2003 Belfast, Mediation Northern Ireland, Mediation Practitioner and Trainer
  • PRESS RELEASE : Trustees appointed to Royal Botanic Gardens Kew [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Trustees appointed to Royal Botanic Gardens Kew [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 May 2024.

    Ministers have made one new appointment and four reappointments.

    Defra Ministers have appointed one Trustee and reappointed four Trustees at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Fay Cooke has been newly appointed as Trustee. Her three-year term commenced on 1 March 2024.

    Sir Paul Nurse, Judith Batchelar and David Richardson have been reappointed as Trustees, and Professor Christopher Gilligan has been reappointed as King’s Trustee. Sir Paul, David and Professor Gilligan’s terms commenced on 8 March 2024, while Judith’s commenced on 1 April. Judith and David will serve a further three years. Sir Paul and Professor Gilligan will serve a further four.

    Dame Amelia Fawcett, Chair of the Board of Trustees, says:

    I am delighted to welcome Fay Cooke to the Kew Board of Trustees. Fay brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will significantly enhance our already robust and dedicated Board.

    In addition, I am also very pleased that all four of our Trustees have been re-appointed for a second term as their contributions are vital as we advance our ambitious 10-year strategy.

    Our mission to end the extinction crisis and foster a world where nature is sustainably protected and managed for the benefit of humanity and our planet relies greatly on the experience, expertise and leadership of our Trustees.  We remain grateful for their time and commitment.

    The appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office.

    Biographies

    Fay Cooke

    Fay is the Chief Impact & Financial Officer at Yeo Valley Production Ltd, where she is a member of the executive team and statutory board.  Fay leads Yeo Valley Production’s work on sustainable food and farming and is responsible for the company’s finance, people, technology, risk, governance and responsible business teams. She has a PhD in Zoology and qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte. She has a broad range of leadership experience across food, manufacturing & energy businesses, and is passionate about the environment, regenerative organic farming and holistic decision making. Fay is also a trustee of The Woodland Trust.

    Judith Batchelar

    Judith has worked in the food and drink industry for over 35 years, starting her life in manufacturing before moving into retail at Marks and Spencer. From 2004 to 2021, she worked for Sainsbury’s as Director of Sainsbury’s Brand with responsibility for all aspects of Sainsbury’s product offer, including Corporate Responsibility and Public Affairs. She is a Non-Executive Director of the Environment Agency, Chair of the Rugby Players Association, an ambassador for the Woodland Trust and a member of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Europe Council. Judith was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to Farming and the Food Industry. She is also a Commissioner on the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.

    Professor Christopher Gilligan

    Professor Gilligan is currently a Director of Research at the University of Cambridge, where he has previously held the posts of Head of the School of Biological Sciences and Professor of Mathematical Biology. He has chaired a number of complex bodies, including the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Science Advisory Council for Defra and the UK Tree Health and Plant Security Taskforce. He is also a former Trustee of the Natural History Museum. He was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2015 for services to plant health in the field of epidemiology. He continues to lead research programmes in epidemiological modelling to manage disease in staple crops and the natural environment.

    Sir Paul Nurse

    Sir Paul is a geneticist and cell biologist whose discoveries have helped to explain how the cell controls its cycle of growth and division. He is currently Chief Executive and Director of the Francis Crick Institute, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Board Member. He was previously President of Rockefeller University New York and was President of the Royal Society. Paul received a knighthood in 1999, the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2001, the Legion d’Honneur from France in 2002, and the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan in 2018. In November 2022, he was appointed to the Order of Merit.

    David Richardson

    David Richardson grew up in Northern Ireland and is currently Director of Horticulture at Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which has a global historic estate which spans over 150 countries and is one of the world’s largest gardening organisations. He has worked predominantly within the horticultural discipline for the CWGC for over 30 years, in all its major geographies and has recently led initiatives on performance management and chemical reduction. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and has served on the Institute’s Council. He is also a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Gardeners.

    Notes to editors:

    • All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
    • The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, known for its vast collections and scientific expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation, and sustainable development. Kew Gardens was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2023 and celebrated its 260th anniversary in 2019.
    • The current RBG Kew Board of Trustees is now made up of: Dame Amelia Fawcett, Steve Almond, Judith Batchelar, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Professor Christopher Gilligan, Sir Paul Nurse, David Richardson, John Scanlon, Kate Priestman, Professor Ian Graham and Fay Cooke.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Florida Hold Inaugural Working Group Meeting [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Florida Hold Inaugural Working Group Meeting [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 7 May 2024.

    The first working group meeting under the UK-Florida MoU on trade and economic co-operation was held in Tallahassee, FL.

    On Tuesday 30 April 2024, representatives of the UK and state of Florida Governments attended the inaugural government-to-government working group meeting created under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on trade and economic co-operation in Tallahassee.

    Rufus Drabble, His Majesty’s Consul General in Miami, co-chaired the meeting with Alex Kelly, Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce.

    Consul General Rufus Drabble said:

    Our discussions were focused and constructive and demonstrate our strong shared commitment to the strategic UK-FL partnership.

    We have an ambitious pipeline for the next 12 months and I look forward to collaborating with the State to leverage the MoU to open all doors to further expand our trade and investment.

    Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly said:

    While this meeting is the first official meeting of its kind, Florida has already hit the ground running with the UK since the MOU was signed in November 2023.

    The actionable and impactful collaboration between Florida and the UK is one that will strengthen both of our economies for generations to come.

    Attendees met to coordinate the implementation of the MoU and discussed opportunities for increasing bilateral trade and an exchange of best practices in life sciences, space and fintech. Attendees also explored opportunities to progress recognition of professional qualifications and encourage private sector participation in government procurement markets, with further activity planned for 2024. The UK is currently the top foreign investor in Florida and the state supplies the UK with a wide range of products including aviation and aerospace products.

    The MoU is the first the UK has signed which focuses on the aerospace sector. Florida is home to the NASA Kennedy Space Center, as well as the new STARCOM headquarters in Patrick Space Force Base opening at the end of 2024, and has world-leading capabilities in launch infrastructure, manufacturing, and satellite development, presenting huge opportunities for the UK’s growing space industry. In 2023, income from the sector was worth over £17.5 billion and employing nearly 50,000 people.

    The UK and Florida agreed next steps for MoU implementation, including the following:

    Life Sciences: 2024 will see the launch of the UK-Florida Life Sciences Trade Corridor where 30 UK companies will participate in a four-city roadshow in Florida’s key Life Sciences and Innovation clusters.

    Space: DBT will organise a delegation of UK Space companies to Florida for the end of 2024 and will be supporting Florida’s participation at the Farnborough Air Show in July.

    Fintech: The UK will promote Florida as a key “market entry point” for Fintech companies seeking to enter US and Latin American markets, and will coordinate several trade delegations for 2024 aimed at exploring new business opportunities across the state, including opportunities around insurance.

    Trade Policy: Policy leads will hold further discussions on mutual recognition of professional qualifications on architecture and engineering, in the context of wider mutual recognition agreements between UK and US bodies. They will also continue cooperation between the UK Government and the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) on access to government procurement markets, including participation by DMS in an explanatory webinar for interested UK vendors.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 46 – UK Statement on Eritrea [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 46 – UK Statement on Eritrea [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2024.

    Statement from the UK at Eritrea’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

    We thank Eritrea for presenting its National Report, and we welcome some progress on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including action to tackle Female Genital Mutilation and to promote access to clean water and sanitation.

    However, much more needs to be done to ensure the human rights of Eritrea’s people are fully promoted and protected. Meaningful change at pace is urgently needed, and we stand ready to assist.

    We recommend that Eritrea:

    1. Cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, including through enabling access to the country.
    2. Investigate the social impact of national service, including developing schemes that promote access to employment following the completion of the mandated national service.
    3. Implement the Constitution proposed by President Isaias over a decade ago, involving the participation of an elected legislature, independent media and a free and open civil society.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost to bilateral ties as UK Indo-Pacific Minister visits Bangladesh [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost to bilateral ties as UK Indo-Pacific Minister visits Bangladesh [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2024.

    The two-day visit will strengthen UK-Bangladesh modern economic, security and migration partnership.

    • Minister for the Indo-Pacific visit will strengthen UK-Bangladesh modern economic, security and migration partnership
    • UK will back economic development efforts with launch of new trade policy project in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh
    • New UK funding of £12 million ($15 million) announced will provide vital humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar

    UK-Bangladesh cooperation set to increase on priority areas including migration, economic reform and security, as UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, will arrive in Bangladesh on a two-day visit, today morning (Tuesday 7 May). On her second visit to Bangladesh in her role as Indo-Pacific Minister, she will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

    During her visit to Dhaka, Minister Trevelyan will meet Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud. Discussions are expected to focus on UK-Bangladesh migration cooperation, trade and economic ties, and the UK’s support to the Rohingya refugee response.

    The Minister will also meet business leaders, humanitarian actors, climate experts and, in meetings with civil society organisations and political leaders, she will recognise the importance of democracy and human rights as foundations for long-term growth and prosperity. Minister Trevelyan will also announce new UK support to equip and empower youth and vulnerable groups in Bangladesh to engage in climate action.

    Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said

    “I’m pleased to be back in Bangladesh with our new trade policy project marking an important step forward towards closer UK-Bangladesh collaboration, boosting our economic ties.

    “We remain steadfast in our support for the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh, and will provide £12 million of new humanitarian assistance, to increase access to clean water, healthcare, shelter, and protection services for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.”

    British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, said

    “Delighted to welcome UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, to Bangladesh. The UK’s long-standing friendship with Bangladesh is cemented by the deep cultural and people-to-people links between our two countries.

    “The UK-Bangladesh partnership continues to go from strength to strength. From our joint work to tackle economic challenges, to our steadfast support for the Rohingya, and our partnership on climate change, we are determined to do more together.”

    Reaffirming the UK’s sustained support for the Rohingya people, Minister Trevelyan will announce £12 million (over 163 Crore Taka) of new UK humanitarian assistance to support Rohingya refugees and neighbouring host communities in Bangladesh. The new funding will provide clean water, healthcare, shelter and protection services. It will also support the development of the camp’s infrastructure to help protect it from natural disasters.

    Minister Trevelyan will also announce a new trade policy project with the Government of Bangladesh. The UK will provide technical assistance to Bangladesh to strengthen trade policy capability and implement reforms. The project will support Bangladesh tackle economic challenges and graduate successfully from Least Developed Country status in 2026.

    Note to editors

    The new package of funding to support Rohingya refugees totals £12 million. This assistance will be implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

    Since 2017, the UK has provided £391 million ($487 million) to support the Rohingya, and neighbouring host communities in Bangladesh.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Minister for Europe calls out Russian attempts to erase Ukrainian culture, during UK-German forum for cultural co-operation [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Minister for Europe calls out Russian attempts to erase Ukrainian culture, during UK-German forum for cultural co-operation [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2024.

    London hosts to the UK-Germany Cultural Commission for the first time in over 30 years, and Minister for Europe emphasises culture’s role in Ukraine war.

    • UK-German Cultural Commission held in London for the first time in over 30 years, hosted by the Minister for Europe, and German counterpart
    • Minister Ghani will emphasise the importance of celebrating national culture in Europe as Russia attempts to erase Ukrainian identity
    • event follows the Prime Minister’s visit to Germany where he hailed the opening of a ‘new chapter’ in the UK-Germany relationship

    For the first time in 30 years, London will play host to the UK-Germany Cultural Commission today (7 May), where the Minister for Europe will open the forum by emphasising culture’s role in Russia’s war with Ukraine, through which Putin is working to erase Ukrainian cultural identity.

    Minister Nusrat Ghani, herself sanctioned by Russia, will also highlight the importance of celebrating and preserving cultural heritage alongside European neighbours.

    A forum established in 1958 – and revived in Germany last year – the UK-Germany Cultural Commission sets the agenda for joint cultural cooperation between the two nations.

    Joining UK and German organisations and colleagues, Minister Ghani will co-chair the event at Lancaster House with German Foreign Office Minister of State Katja Keul.

    They will champion the strong links between the 2 countries, from language and education exchange, to this year’s European Football Championship, which will see 500,000 UK fans visiting Germany.

    Minister for Europe, Nusrat Ghani said:

    From football to Bauhaus, the UK and Germany are inextricably linked through our culture, and these ties help form the foundation of our close alliance.

    When national identities are threatened, our culture – the customs and institutions that define us – becomes even more important.

    As Russia seeks to wipe Ukrainian culture off the face of our continent, we cannot stand idly by and must stand with our partners in solidarity with Ukraine, their identity and their people.

    The Commission follows the Prime Minister’s visit to Germany earlier this month, during which he declared the opening of a ‘new chapter’ in the UK-Germany relationship, and announced a strengthening of the two nations’ position against Russian aggression, as well as discussing mobility and migration with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

    The forum will also see Ministers, officials, and cultural organisations – such as the Goethe Institute and British Council – discuss the promotion of German language learning in the UK, co-operation in higher education and research, the protection of cultural heritage, and the importance of mobility between the UK and Germany.

    The UK and German governments will also celebrate the ongoing work to boost student exchanges between our schools, this year significantly increasing funding for UK German Connection – a bilateral organisation that facilitates youth and school exchange.

    Several high-profile cultural figures with German and British connections will also be in attendance – including DCMS Minister Lord Parkinson, and illustrator of the iconic children’s book The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler. Delegates will enjoy a performance by young poets from Saxony and Manchester, who are part of the Cultural Bridge programme.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Lety Holocaust memorial opening ceremony in Czechia – Lord Pickles’ speech

    PRESS RELEASE : Lety Holocaust memorial opening ceremony in Czechia – Lord Pickles’ speech

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2024.

    International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Chair Lord Pickles welcomed the transformation of the former concentration camp from an industrial pig farm to a memorial.

    It is a real honour to be here today.

    I can recall many a heated discussion at IHRA plenaries about the indignity of having a pig farm on a site near the mass graves of 300 people from the Roma community who had been murdered by the Nazis and collaborators.

    We have to acknowledge that disregarding the site and unmarked mass graves in favour of the farm was an attempt by some to forget this dark chapter in Czechia’s history. For others, it symbolized the persistence of anti-Roma sentiment in Czech society and in many parts of Europe.

    Being here today at the official opening of Lety clearly shows how far the Czechia has come government has come and its friends rejoice at the opening of the memorial.

    Since 2014 IHRA has been involved in the transformation of Lety from the pig farm it once was to the memorial it is today. IHRA have regularly raised with both the Czech authorities and IHRA member countries the need for a respectful place of commemoration at Lety.

    After decades of campaigning by local activists and increased efforts by the IHRA, the pig farm was redeemed by the Czech government and acquired by the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno.

    In 2019, the Museum of Romani Culture was awarded an IHRA grant to develop a concept for the exhibition for the Lety memorial. This exhibition not only covers the history of the concentration camp, but also works to prevent false assumptions on the purpose of the camp and the conditions of the victims and to counter any new denial of the genocide of the Roma as well as antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination.

    I am pleased that IHRA’s experts remained actively involved as the new memorial complex was designed. This includes IHRA’s Safeguarding Sites team which visited Lety last June.

    IHRA is immensely proud that all member countries adopted the Safeguarding Sites Charter and that Lety stands today as a proud representation of our safeguarding efforts.

    It is an honour to see how we have all worked together to ensure that the victims of the Roma genocide are remembered.

    I also wanted to take this opportunity to praise the Czech government for recently adopting the IHRA working definition of antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination.

    I encourage you now to look at further practical steps to address the long-term discrimination that the Roma community continue to face in this country. Examples include the difficulty Roma people face in accessing compensation for forced sterilisation, and segregation of Roma children in schools. These are legacies of the genocide which need to be eradicated, and learnt from.

    This is an important day for acknowledging the dark moments of the past but looking towards a brighter future. I look forward to continued closer co-operation between the IHRA and Czechia. Thank you, all, for your continued leadership.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to El Salvador – Ramin Navai [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to El Salvador – Ramin Navai [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2024.

    Mr Ramin Navai has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador in succession to Mr David Lelliott OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Navai will take up his appointment during December 2024.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Ramin Navai

    Date Role
    2020 to date  Asunción, His Majesty’s Ambassador
    2018 to 2020 FCO, Deputy Head, Counter Daesh Communications Cell, Communications Directorate
    2015 to 2018  FCO, Head of Programme Team, Syria Unit, Middle East & Near Africa Directorate
    2010 to 2015 Chicago, Deputy Consul General
    2006 to 2010 Bogotá, 2nd Sec Political
    2004 to 2006  Home Office, Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre
    2003 to 2004 FCO, Cuba, Haiti & Dominican Republic Desk Officer, Latin America and Caribbean Department
    2002 to 2003  FCO, G8 Desk Officer, Economic Policy Department