Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Second World War veterans to travel to overseas commemorations paid for by the Government [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Second World War veterans to travel to overseas commemorations paid for by the Government [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 May 2026.

    The Ministry of Defence will pay for Second World War veterans to attend commemorations in Europe this summer in partnership with the Royal British Legion.

    Second World War veterans will travel overseas for commemorations of the Normandy Landings and the Battle of Arnhem, paid for by the Government.  

    This commitment ensures that those who served can attend remembrance ceremonies in Europe, returning to sites of profound historical and personal importance. 

    The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will provide the funding to the Royal British Legion, which offers lifelong support and expert advice to the Armed Forces community including serving personnel, veterans, their families and the bereaved.

    The Royal British Legion will give the funding to charities such as The Spirit of Normandy Trust and The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to make the visits to commemorative events possible. 

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    VE Day reminds the nation of the importance of coming together to honour those who secured our freedom more than eight decades ago.

    Standing at Utah Beach during previous D-Day commemorations, I was struck by the extraordinary courage of those who came ashore in 1944 – young men facing unimaginable danger to secure the freedoms we endure today.

    While we can never repay the depth of their service, I am determined to ensure we honour our Second World War veterans and their extraordinary contribution to our freedom.

    The funding follows the 2025 publication of a 10-year Veterans Strategy and the Strategic Defence Review, which commit to use a whole-of-society approach to defence and celebrate the contribution of veterans to the community and national security. The government is investing record levels in veterans, with Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the MOD rolling out a new £50m support system called VALOUR across the UK.  

    Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP said: 

    We are delivering on our promise in our Veterans Strategy, providing visible support to the devoted veterans who have served in our Armed Forces.

    This government is renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve, and our actions are guided by the change that veterans want to see. 

    I have seen firsthand how important these commemorations are to our veterans and am committed to supporting their continued attendance.

    With the number of living Second World War veterans declining, the government recognises the importance of supporting them to pass on their legacy to future generations.  

    The enduring relationship between the UK and its Armed Forces remains invaluable and must be protected. 

    This essential defence funding enables veterans to return to the places where they served, honour those who did not come home, and reconnect with their shared history.  

    From the beaches of Normandy to battlefields in Europe, these journeys are a vital act of remembrance. 

    Richard Palusinski, Chairman, Spirit of Normandy Trust said: 

    Over the many years that I have been taking veterans to Normandy for the annual D-Day commemorations I have come to understand that they make the trip each year not out of any sense of bravado, but to remember those who paid the ultimate price.   

    As a small charity we have limited ability to raise the necessary funds to ensure a safe and meaningful pilgrimage for the veterans, particularly as they have reached a great age and their needs are more complex. The funding from the Office for Veterans Affairs is vital, enabling us to embark or the pilgrimages with confidence and give the veterans the opportunity to honour their friends.

    Steve Baynes, the Royal British Legion’s Head of Grants, said:

    The freedoms we enjoy today would not have been possible without the courage and sacrifice of the Second World War generation, and as the nation’s champion of Remembrance, the RBL is dedicated to ensuring their legacy is always remembered.

    We’re proud to be working with the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to ensure those who served can attend commemorative events across Europe, and delighted to be collaborating with the Spirit of Normandy Trust and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, whose long-standing experience in organising these deeply meaningful visits is invaluable.

    This government remains committed to supporting veterans emotionally and financially as they continue to pay their respects through these annual pilgrimages.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK government shows “unwavering support” for war crime accountability [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK government shows “unwavering support” for war crime accountability [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

    Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones visits Ukraine to address the United for Justice Conference.

    • Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones visits Ukraine to address the United for Justice Conference, underlining the UK’s commitment to holding Russia to account for crimes committed throughout the war  
    • Minister also made “harrowing but essential” visit to Bucha and Irpin, towns that saw civilian suffering at the start of the war 
    • In line with the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, the UK is also seeking Ukrainian expertise to turbocharge counter-drone technology development 

    “Russia must be held to account for its crimes”, the Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls stressed on a visit to Kyiv yesterday [Thursday 7 May]. She was in the city to address the United for Justice Conference, an event aiming to coordinate global efforts to investigate, prosecute, and ensure accountability for international crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.  

    In Kyiv, the Minister also met with frontline organisations directly supporting survivors of sexual violence, which Russia has used as a weapon of war. The visit also furthers the government’s commitment, under the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, to support Ukraine in the reform and recovery of its justice system.  

    Addressing the conference, Minister Davies-Jones expressed the UK Government’s “unwavering” commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in securing justice and accountability. The UK is supporting Ukraine politically, financially, and practically, including with £16.5 million in funding for domestic war crimes investigations, providing Ukraine with the skills and expertise it needs to drive this action forward.  

    While in Ukraine, Minister Alex Davies-Jones also visited the towns of Bucha and Irpin, defining sites of civilian suffering caused in the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion and during Russian occupation. Russian forces occupied Bucha until early April 2022, during which widespread war crimes including conflict related sexual violence were reported. The Minister visited the memorial at the town’s mass grave site, which pays tribute to the Ukrainians who were killed during the occupation.  

    Irpin became one of the heaviest-hit areas during Russia’s early invasion of Ukraine and was a front-line battlefield in February 2022. The Minister visited the “Bridge of Life” in Irpin, which was exploded by the Ukrainian armed forces to prevent Russian troops and tanks from entering Kyiv city. The remnants of that bridge were the only route through which Ukrainians could seek evacuation and leave Russian occupation, and many Ukrainians were killed trying to make their way there. 

    Reflecting on the visit, Minister Davies-Jones said: 

    While here in Ukraine I’ve heard powerful testimonies from survivors and seen the harrowing evidence of war crimes firsthand. Working daily with survivors of violence at home, I know that behind every statistic is a person whose life has been changed forever. >  The courage it takes to speak out, to bear witness and to demand justice is something I deeply commend.  

    Ukraine is still living under daily attack, and the UK stands firmly with its people in that same pursuit of the justice, accountability and freedom they deserve. Russia must be held to account for its crimes.” 

    The Minister also reflected on the expertise Ukraine has to share with the UK, forged through the experiences of government under the pressures of the full-scale invasion. The Minister announced the opening  of a new competition worth £5m by InnovateUK, an initiative that  will accelerate counter-drone research in the UK, with a hope to encourage further technological partnerships between our nations.    

    The visit follows the Deputy Prime Minister’s trip to Ukraine to mark the first anniversary of 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine in January this year. Whilst there, he announced £6.5 million investment to support research and development on stopping drones smuggling contraband into prisons – including phones, drugs and weapons. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : 52nd Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Palau [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : 52nd Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Palau [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

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

    Thank you Mr President and a warm welcome to the delegation of Palau.

    The United Kingdom welcomes Palau’s efforts to strengthen its anti-trafficking legal framework, including updating its Anti-Human Smuggling and Human Trafficking Act. We also commend Palau’s progress in updating its Family Protection Act to improve access to services and address gender-based violence. 

    We encourage Palau’s continued engagement with the UK and other international partners to support the effective establishment of a national human rights institution and ratification of CEDAW.

    We recommend that Palau: 

    1. Updates relevant legislation to set the minimum age of marriage to 18, without exception.
    2. Amends the Anti-Discriminatory Act to explicitly prohibit all forms of disability-based discrimination and establish clear procedures for the investigation and remedy of complaints.
    3. Aligns the minimum age of employment with the end of compulsory education, in line with ILO Minimum Age Convention standards.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 52nd Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Somalia [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : 52nd Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Somalia [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

    Statement by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Somalia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    The UK commends Somalia for its engagement with the UN human rights system. We recognise the progress Somalia has made by establishing a National Independent Human Rights Commission.

    We remain deeply concerned about reported differentiation of the age of “responsibility” and the age of “maturity”. It is essential that the rights of children, individuals below the age of 18, are protected. 

    We remain concerned at the ongoing loss of civilian life due to conflict and insecurity, continuing cases of sexual and gender-based violence, and restrictions on freedom of expression, including the detention of journalists.

    We recommend:

    1. Prioritising protecting the rights of children, protecting the rights of all individuals under the age of 18.
    2. Ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and undertaking its swift implementation.
    3. Ensuring freedom of speech and strong protections for journalists operating in Somalia.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : European Political Community Summit in Armenia – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : European Political Community Summit in Armenia – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

    The UK welcomed Armenia’s successful hosting of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, reaffirmed UK support for Armenia’s democratic resilience, and highlighted the agreement of a new UK–Armenia Strategic Partnership.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.  And I thank the delegation of Armenia for updating us on the European Political Community Summit held in Yerevan earlier this week.

    The UK warmly welcomes Armenia’s hosting of the EPC and commends the Armenian authorities for the smooth organisation of the Summit. We were pleased that the OSCE was invited to attend and that the Secretary General was able to participate.

    My Prime Minister met Prime Minister Pashinyan in the margins of the Summit. He commended the significant steps taken to secure peace in the region and thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for his leadership on the issue.

    My Prime Minister also underlined the UK’s steadfast support for Armenia’s democratic resilience – including through practical co-operation on counter-disinformation, cyber security, and supporting an independent judiciary and media.

    As the next step in deepening our relationship, our leaders agreed a new UK–Armenia Strategic Partnership, marking a step change in the bilateral relationship and taking cooperation to a new level across defence and security, economic growth, and democratic resilience.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and others announce that the recipient of the 2026 Democracy Defenders Award is PromoLex from Moldova [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and others announce that the recipient of the 2026 Democracy Defenders Award is PromoLex from Moldova [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

    The Democracy Defenders Award recognises the contribution civil society makes to promoting democracy in the OSCE region. PromoLex promotes democratic values, developing a strong civil society and implementing internationally recognised human rights standards in Moldova.

    On behalf of the Democracy Defender Initiative, I would like to inform the Permanent Council of the following matter.  

    In 2016, the Democracy Defender Award was established to recognize the enormous contribution that civil society makes to defending and promoting democracy in the OSCE region.  The Award honours outstanding contributions to upholding the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.  

    In keeping with this tradition, we are pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2026 Award is PromoLex.  

    PromoLex focuses on promoting democratic values, developing a strong civil society, and implementing internationally recognised human rights in Moldova. The organisation is made up human rights activists who work to provide legal assistance, strategic litigation, research, and human rights monitoring.  It is also a leading actor in election observation, contributing to the integrity and transparency of electoral processes through monitoring, independent reporting, and advocacy for electoral reform in line with international standards.” 

    The 10th Anniversary Democracy Defender Award Presentation and Seminar will take place on 13 May 2026.     

    In addition to the official presentation of the 2026 Democracy Defender Award, the Seminar, featuring a panel of expert speakers, will explore how civil society can help address democratic backsliding and build democratic resilience in the OSCE region. Invitations have been distributed, and we encourage Delegations’ response and attendance.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK provides cyclone support to Solomon Islands [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK provides cyclone support to Solomon Islands [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

    The UK Government stands with the people of Solomon Islands following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

    We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected and commend the leadership of the Solomon Islands Government, local authorities and communities for their swift response, alongside humanitarian partners.

    UK support is helping people recover, rebuild, and stay safe in four key areas:

    Supporting children and families to recover

    Under this area the UK has provided US$150,000 to enable United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to repair damaged homes and schools and restore access to clean water through its Today and Tomorrow Initiative. This support will help children return to learning, improve safety, and ensure families have access to basic services as communities recover.

    Rapid financial support for the national response

    Given the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Maila, Solomon Islands has received a rapid payout of US$500,000 through the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC). UK support to this regional insurance mechanism helps Pacific governments access immediate funding after disasters, easing pressure on national finances and enabling faster response for affected communities.

    Meeting urgent needs in the hardest-hit communities

    Through UK-backed support from the Start Fund, World Vision is helping 2,000 of the most vulnerable people with clean water, sanitation, shelter and food security. This assistance, supported by over US$270,000 in funding, is helping families meet their most critical needs.

    In addition to this support, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $2.5 million to support urgent needs in Solomon Islands. The UK is a longstanding partner to the CERF and is the largest overall donor to the fund since its inception in 2006, contributing more than $2 billion in total over the years.

    Reaching thousands with lifesaving assistance

    As a partner to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund, the UK is supporting the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society to deliver health, water, sanitation, shelter and protection assistance to around 7,500 people. A pay out of US$350,000 has been allocated to those that have been severely affected. 

    The UK remains committed to standing alongside Solomon Islands as recovery efforts continue.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UNISFA plays a critical role in protecting civilians and maintaining stability in Abyei – UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UNISFA plays a critical role in protecting civilians and maintaining stability in Abyei – UK statement at the UN Security Council [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2026.

    Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan and South Sudan.

    First, the United Kingdom underscores UNISFA’s critical role in protecting civilians and maintaining stability in a fragile environment. 

    It is essential that UNISFA is able to deliver its mandate in full. 

    We are concerned by continued restrictions on UNISFA’s freedom of movement, the limited progress by the Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities against key mandate benchmarks agreed last November and the presence of unauthorised forces in violation of Abyei’s demilitarised status. 

    We also again strongly condemn the drone attacks on the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism logistics base in December, which killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured nine others, and we extend our deepest sympathies to their families. 

    We urge accountability and call on all parties to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and premises in accordance with international law. 

    Beyond this tragic human cost, the attack has also led to the first complete suspension of the Mechanism’s physical presence since its creation, which has significantly impacted border monitoring and demilitarisation. 

    Second, we remain concerned at the acute humanitarian and protection situation in Abyei. 

    More than 20,000 people are currently displaced in the region, and access constraints are limiting the delivery of vital assistance. 

    We are also deeply concerned by reports of a pattern of conflict-related sexual violence, including against children. 

    We call on all actors to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and to protect civilians, in line with international law.

    Third, it is critical that progress is made against the benchmarks agreed in resolution 2802. 

    The continued failure to convene joint mechanisms and delays to police deployment are deeply concerning. 

    We urge Sudan and South Sudan to re-engage in dialogue and take concrete steps towards demilitarisation and agreed governance arrangements.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement following the meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement following the meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 May 2026.

    The UK Government and European Commission gave a statement after the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework meeting.

    The Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework met in Brussels today, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government.

    The co-chairs took stock of the implementation of the Windsor Framework since the last meeting on 3 December 2025. They reaffirmed the importance of continued work to deliver the full, timely, and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework.

    They welcomed the further progress made in the Windsor Framework’s implementation across various areas and noted the remaining work to be undertaken to deliver in full the safeguards underpinning the flexibilities for the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    In the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area, they noted the satisfactory functioning of the SPS inspection facilities and individual labelling requirements, as well as the positive direction in the provision of information in the general SPS certificates. Progress should however continue on the remaining pending issues, including full compliance of certificates, box-level labelling, and ensuring that flexibilities are applied for compliant goods only. They also took note of the robust ongoing preparatory work for the interplay between the Windsor Framework SPS provisions and the future EU-UK SPS Agreement, which is undertaken to fulfil the commitment from the Common Understanding(1) from the EU-UK Summit of 19 May 2025.

    The co-chairs also took stock of the ongoing work in the area of customs. They welcomed the finalisation of the work to grant Union representatives access to all relevant UK IT systems. They noted the ongoing discussions at technical level on customs duties of business to consumer parcels. They stressed that further work to ensure that the Windsor Framework arrangements in the customs and trade area are implemented properly should also continue.

    They welcomed the technical flexibilities in the functioning of the Duty Reimbursement Scheme for the benefit of Northern Ireland operators whilst maintaining the necessary protection of the Union Single Market.

    The co-chairs took stock of the work of the Joint Consultative Working Group and its structured sub-groups, noting its good functioning and the usefulness of the exchange of information.

    They reiterated the importance of the joint engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders, which should continue, thus supporting the advancement of the Windsor Framework implementation.

    The co-chairs also noted the conclusion of their work relating to the exchange of views on the implications of the Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Resilience Acts for the proper functioning of the Windsor Framework, in line with Article 13(4) of the Windsor Framework, following on from the delegation of that responsibility by the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee. They would report to the Joint Committee co-chairs on their work with a view to advancing the process foreseen under Article 13(4) of the Framework at the next Joint Committee meeting.

  • PRESS RELEASE : World Press Freedom Day 2026 – Joint statement to the OSCE [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : World Press Freedom Day 2026 – Joint statement to the OSCE [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2026.

    Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen of Finland delivered a statement on World Press Freedom Day on behalf of the UK and 33 other countries, stressing that a free, independent media is essential to peace and security across the OSCE region and beyond.

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, members of the Informal Group of Friends on the Safety of Journalists: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and my own country Finland. The following participating States have also aligned with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine.

    To mark World Press Freedom Day, we recognise the vital yet increasingly perilous role that journalists and media actors play in conflict situations, and the important link between a free media and both global and national security. The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day is “Shaping a Future at Peace”. At a time when international peace seems more elusive than it has for a long time, a free, independent, pluralistic media can make an important contribution to both achieving and sustaining peace.

    During conflicts, independent media coverage helps provide accurate and timely information that is critical for the communities affected. Factual, timely reporting can save lives and livelihoods. Public interest journalism can strengthen information integrity and act as a defence against disinformation and propaganda, both of which could increase as the security situation worsens. A free media can be an early warning mechanism in identifying and reporting possible war crimes. It can also play a part in encouraging dialogue during conflicts and fostering mutual understanding, and raising the voices of those often marginalised in mediation and peace processes.

    According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 129 journalists and media workers were killed in 2025, making it the deadliest year since CPJ began collecting such data more than 30 years ago. Reporters covering conflicts are afforded protection under international humanitarian law, and recognised by UN Security Council Resolution 2222 (2015), yet in reality, where once a jacket emblazoned with the word “PRESS” offered protection, it is now often seen as a target.

    This is clearly demonstrated by the Russian Federation’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine: a significant number of journalists have been killed or subjected to arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearance by Russia while exercising their profession. Media infrastructure and media workers have become direct targets of Russian attacks. We call on the Russian Federation to immediately and unconditionally release all media actors imprisoned because of their professional activities, including in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

    In Russia itself and in Belarus media actors have been harassed, attacked and imprisoned for their professional activities on politically motivated charges, on the basis of so called “anti-extremism” and “anti-terrorism” laws, the audience itself is often criminalized for searching for independent information.

    Journalists not only have to deal with increased physical danger; they also face growing online abuse – particularly women – while media organisations have to contend with increasing state censorship, greater financial pressures, a significant rise in disinformation that undermines public trust, and the challenges brought by new technology, including AI.

    In fact, global media freedom is under the most sustained attack in decades – at a time when it is also increasingly important to our mutual security and prosperity.

    We remain deeply concerned by the erosion of media freedom in other parts of the OSCE region, which take a variety of forms, well described and illustrated in the recent RFOM report. We will continue to support RFOM in exercising his vital and unique mandate, and denounce all efforts to reduce the freedom of the media and curb freedom of expression.

    So, amid the high level of conflict in the world today, we call upon states to support a free, independent media as a contribution to “Shaping a Future at Peace”. We also appeal to states to protect those reporting on conflict, and work towards ending impunity for crimes against journalists in the OSCE and worldwide.