Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : People smugglers who brought in illegal migrants in car boots jailed [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 14 July 2023.

The men were sentenced to over six years in prison for smuggling seven Indian migrants into the UK.

Two British men were sentenced yesterday (13 July 2023) to over six years in prison for smuggling seven Indian migrants – including women and children – into the UK, in the boots of two cars.

Palvinder Singh Phull, 48, from Hounslow, received three and half years for assisting unlawful immigration. On 8 July 2018, Mr Phull was stopped at the UK border in Dover, and three Indian nationals claiming to be Afghan Sikhs were found in the boot of his hire car.

His co-accused, Harjit Singh Dhaliwal, 45, from Middlesex, was jailed for three years and two months, also for assisting unlawful immigration. Four days after Mr Phull was arrested, on 12 July 2018, Mr Dhaliwal was stopped at the UK border and four Indian nationals also claiming to be Afghan Sikhs were found hiding in the boot of his car.

Following an investigation by the Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) unit, the suspects were found to be linked via mobile phone records.

The sentencing took place at Canterbury Crown Court, where the defendants both pleaded guilty to assisting unlawful immigration.

Chris Foster, Deputy Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the Home Office, said:

Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to those abusing our laws and borders: we will stop at nothing to bring to justice anyone attempting to smuggle people into the UK.

I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of my team, and their tireless efforts to tackle this type of crime. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt people smuggling gangs and make sure those who break our laws face the consequences.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Situation in Sudan – joint statement from members of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 July 2023.

Members of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI), issued a joint statement on the situation in Sudan.

This is a joint statement by members of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI). The following Alliance members support this statement: Australia, Colombia, France, Kosovo, Liberia, Luxembourg, Republic of Korea, Spain, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Nadia Murad, Dr Mukwege, Mukwege Foundation and Global Survivors Fund. Lord Ahmad announced the statement at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence on 14 July.

As members of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, we are deeply concerned by the increasing reports of sexual violence, including rape, in the context of the conflict that erupted in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023.

All too often, women and girls are disproportionately impacted by conflict. Together, we urge all parties to the conflict to end the violence, including sexual violence.

The provision of prompt and quality services for survivors of sexual violence must be prioritised. We stress the urgency for parties to the conflict to ensure unimpeded, safe humanitarian access to all in need. This requires enabling the free movement of humanitarian workers and humanitarian supplies that will cater for people’s basic needs, including the provision of medical assistance and psychosocial support for survivors of sexual violence.

Sexual violence must stop and survivors must be supported. As members of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, we will continue working to end conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan and across the globe.

The Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

As an Alliance, we raise our voice, shining a light on appalling reports of sexual violence in Sudan and calling for an end to violence, support to survivors and safe humanitarian access.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : South Yorkshire named as first UK Investment Zone [July 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 14 July 2023.

Communities in the region are set to benefit from thousands of new jobs and £1.2 billion of investment.
- Significant boost for South Yorkshire, with the UK’s first Investment Zone focused on Advanced Manufacturing.
- Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley all stand to benefit from an estimated 8,000 new jobs and £1.2 billion of private funding by 2030, which this Investment Zone will help to deliver.
- Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Loop Technology and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) have partnered to support the first investment worth over £80 million.
Communities in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley are set to benefit from thousands of new jobs and £1.2 billion of investment as part of the UK’s first Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today (14 July) hailed the first Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone in South Yorkshire for bringing opportunity into areas which have traditionally underperformed economically.

Growing the economy, and creating opportunities across the UK, is a priority for the Prime Minister. Twelve Investment Zones will be established across the UK based around a university and clusters of high growth industries like Advanced Manufacturing, life sciences or green industries, will deliver benefits directly to local communities.

Building on the area’s strengths, the South Yorkshire Investment Zone is focused on Advanced Manufacturing and includes the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. It’s expected that the Investment Zone will help leverage more than £1.2bn of private funding and help support more than 8,000 jobs by 2030.

The Chancellor welcomed the first of those investments as he met executives from Boeing at the AMRC’s Factory 2050, a manufacturing technologies research and development facility.

People from Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley will see blockers to growth in their area, such as challenges attracting finance and investment, supporting business growth, and clear pathways to higher skilled jobs, reduced. They will also benefit from further government funding through the Investment Zone worth up to £80 million.

This could be through potential support for specialist training programmes tailored to industry and support for local businesses in the sector’s supply chains, helping drive more business activity and productivity.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

“Our first Investment Zone is a shining example of how we will drive growth across the country.

“It’s already secured more than £80 million of investment, including backing from Boeing, and will help support more than 8,000 jobs by 2030.”

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said:

“Today’s announcement is a significant moment for South Yorkshire as it becomes the home of England’s first advanced manufacturing Investment Zone. This will help level up the region, creating jobs and boosting economic growth.

“We want to build on South Yorkshire’s proud heritage so that it can make an even greater contribution to the UK economy. This is what levelling up is all about, promoting growth and providing opportunities so people can thrive in the communities they are from.”

Today’s announcement of an investment of more than £80 million for a portfolio of Research & Development projects, backed by Boeing, will look at the future of aerospace. Boeing will work with industry partners, Spirit AeroSystems and Loop Technology at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Factory 2050 in Sheffield Business Park.

The project, co-funded by industry and government, including through the Aerospace Technology Institute programme, and with support from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the University of Sheffield, puts the UK at the cutting edge of aviation research, development and manufacturing as demand for commercial aircraft is forecasted to be greater than 40,000 over the next 20 years.

Boeing has a long history in South Yorkshire – its programme can be traced back to the company co-founding the AMRC with the University of Sheffield around 22 years ago. Since then, the AMRC has spawned the advanced manufacturing campus in the former brown-field site including Boeing’s first European factory.

Government will continue to work with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and other local partners to co-develop the plans for their Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone, including agreeing priority development sites and specific interventions to drive cluster growth, over the summer ahead of final confirmation of plans.

At Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced eight places in England as eligible to host an Investment Zone.

Each was invited to identify an Investment Zone that offered an imaginative partnership between local government and a university or research institute in a way that catalyses emerging innovation clusters.

Today’s news follows a joint announcement by the UK and Scottish Governments that there will be two Investment Zones in Scotland, with Glasgow City Region and North East of Scotland offering the most potential to host these. Discussions will now begin with both regions to develop detailed proposals.

Each Investment Zone will be backed with £80 million of support for a range of interventions which could include skills, infrastructure and tax reliefs, depending on local circumstances. The zones will help drive growth in the government’s key growth sectors including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, green industries, digital and technology and creative industries.

The government is also working closely with the devolved administrations to establish how Investment Zones in Wales and Northern Ireland will be delivered.
July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Former First Minister of Scotland visits PH to reaffirm UK’s support to Peace Process in Bangsamoro [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 July 2023.

Lord Jack McConnell reaffirmed the UK’s strong commitment to bringing international expertise on devolution & democratic governance to support the BARMM peace process.

On 10-13 July, former First Minister of Scotland, Lord Jack McConnell, visited the Philippines for engagements with the national government, leaders in the Bangsamoro region and members of the international community.

On the national level, he met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Senator Robinhood Padilla, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., and Senior Undersecretary Isidro Purisima, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

He also visited Davao City together with His Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA) to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, where they met with the Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA), other BARMM Ministers, sectoral and community representatives of the Council of Leaders and civil society organisations.

He discussed international support for the peace process with members of the International Contact Group (ICG) and UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez.

Speaking after the visit, Lord McConnell said:

At this crucial period, it is important to stay true to the commitments made in the journey to achieve peace in the Bangsamoro region. The cornerstones of a sustainable peace will be upholding democracy, good governance, and inclusion. We trust that our friends and partners in the national government and the Bangsamoro will be steadfast in their commitment to achieve a stable, progressive, and peaceful transition. The UK reiterates its unwavering support in overcoming challenges and delivering the economic and social dividends of peace.

Lord McConnell has been visiting the Bangsamoro region and sharing his experience of leading a devolved parliament since 2014. He served as first Minister of Scotland between 2001 and 2007.

The visit was in collaboration with British Embassy Manila and its implementing partners, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). In April 2020, the British Embassy Manila launched Integrated Security Fund (CSSF) programme to support the peace process with a total value of £15m.

The programme primarily focuses on three interconnected programme strands on the governance track of the Bangsamoro Peace Process; namely, strengthening democratic stability and institutions for the new regional parliament, strengthening women’s political participation and increasing awareness of BARMM Parliamentary systems.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK condemns the DPRK’s launch of yet another inter-continental ballistic missile – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 July 2023.

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

Colleagues,

I thank Assistant Secretary General Mohammed Khiairi for his briefing. I welcome the participation of the DPRK at this Council for the first time since 2017. The United Kingdom condemns the DPRK’s launch of yet another inter-continental ballistic missile.

This was the twelfth ICBM launch since the start of 2022. It was the second test of a solid fuel ICBM, and the fourth ICBM test this year. It came in the wake of a failed military reconnaissance satellite launch on 31 May.

The DPRK’s actions violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions and demonstrate flagrant disregard for the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. We must be firm and united in our response to these violations. Inaction by this Council cannot continue.

It is clear from listening to statements today the council members share deep concern about the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

With this in mind, I call on the DPRK to, first, abandon its illegal nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes, which are impoverishing its people and destabilising the region. Second, to return to compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Third, to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. And finally, to take up repeated and unconditional offers of dialogue.

Allowing diplomats and NGOs back into the country is an important part of this process. Diplomacy is the only route to making progress towards a sustainable peace on the Peninsula.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK supports the International Criminal Court to deliver justice for the people of Darfur – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Sudan International Criminal Court investigation.

I thank Prosecutor Karim Khan for his 37th report on the Situation in Darfur and his briefing today, and I welcome the ICC’s unwavering commitment to help deliver justice for the people of Darfur. I also recognise the participation of the Representative of Sudan at this meeting.

The UK welcomes the progress made in the trial of Mr Abd-Al-Rahman. This case is testament to the victims’ courage and patience to tell their stories after two decades. We urge all parties to help maintain the trial’s momentum.

We regret, however, that from the October 2021 military coup until the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, there was an almost complete failure by the Sudanese authorities to cooperate with the ICC.

Furthermore, we share the Prosecutor’s concern over the impact of the current conflict on the ongoing investigations, including the apparent release from custody of ICC suspects.

We are also deeply troubled by today’s reports of continued violence and mass graves outside the capital of West Darfur.

The UK shares the Prosecutor’s assessment that the current conflict stems in part from the failure to ensure justice and accountability on the part of those who hold power in Sudan. Their disregard for international obligations and for meaningful justice for past crimes has helped sow the seeds for this latest cycle of violence and suffering.

All sides are responsible for the crimes they commit, and we remind the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces that the ICC’s mandate in Darfur is ongoing.

We welcome the Prosecutor’s decision to commence investigations into offences committed in the current conflict – including in particular ethnically-targeted killings and sexual violence.

In closing, the UK would like to reiterate our support to the Court to deliver justice for the people of Darfur. At the same time, we underline this Council’s call for an immediate end to the current hostilities.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : NHS staff receive pay rise [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 July 2023.

Most eligible dentists and doctors will receive at least a 6% pay rise. Pay for junior doctors will be increased by an average of around 8.8%.
- Most eligible dentists and doctors will receive at least a 6% pay rise
- Pay for junior doctors will be increased by an average of around 8.8%. Pay will be uplifted by between 8.1% and 10.3% depending on where they are in their training
- Government accepts the independent pay review bodies’ pay recommendations in full, recognising the vital contribution that NHS staff make to our country
- This pay rise recognises the need to recognise, recruit and retain NHS staff while protecting the taxpayer and bringing down inflation
- Announcement follows nurses, paramedics and midwives also receiving a pay rise and one-off payments
Pay scales for most doctors and dentists to increase by at least a 6% this year after the government accepted the recommendations from the independent pay review bodies in full.

Around 130,000 full-time equivalent doctors and dentists, including junior doctors and consultants, will see their pay rise in line with the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration’s (DDRB) recommendations. Pay for junior doctors will be increased by 8.8% on average. The agreement means pay for a first year junior doctor will increase by 10.3%. Pay for the most experienced junior doctors will increase by 8.1%. For consultants, this means a rise of 6%.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

We hugely value the work of all NHS staff.

That’s why we’re giving junior doctors, consultants and senior NHS staff a fair and reasonable pay rise as recommended by the independent pay review bodies.

But it also balances the need to keep inflation in check while giving some staff significant pay increases.

We’ve made it clear this pay award is not up for negotiation and urge those unions still in dispute with the government to end their strikes immediately.

As recommended by the DDRB, most dentists and doctors will receive at least a 6% pay rise. Junior doctor pay will be increased by 6% plus £1,250.

Average basic pay for a first year junior doctor will increase from £29,300 to £32,300 and for a junior doctor in core training with 3 years’ experience it will increase from £40,200 to £43,900. For consultants and SAS doctors on pre-2021 contracts, this is on top of the 4.5% pay rise they received last year. Some staff will also benefit from performance pay, overtime, pay progression and pay rises from promotion, alongside the pay uplift.

The government has been clear about the need for pay awards to recognise the hard work of the public sector while meeting the Prime Minister’s priority to halve inflation and managing public spending effectively.

More borrowing would add pressures on inflation at exactly the wrong time, risking higher interest rates and higher mortgage rates. The government plans to increase the main rate of the immigration health surcharge – to ensure it covers the full healthcare costs of those who pay it, having been frozen for the last 3 years despite high inflation and wider pressures – to at least £1,035, and the discounted rate for students, their dependents, those on Youth Mobility Schemes and under-18s to £776. The government will fund this pay award through prioritisation within existing departmental budgets, with front line services being protected.

Last month one million NHS staff, including nurses and paramedics, received a 5% pay rise worth at least £1,065 to full-time staff as well as 2 one-off payments worth at least £1,655.

Today’s announcement comes weeks after the NHS published its first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, backed by over £2.4 billion government funding, which will deliver the biggest training expansion in NHS history and recruit and retain hundreds of thousands more staff over the next 15 years.

Background information

The pay review bodies considered a range of evidence from various organisations.

All pay awards will be backdated to 1 April 2023. This pay award is only applicable to NHS staff in England. The 2023 to 2024 pay uplift for NHS staff directly employed by NHS providers will be funded by NHS England through system allocations.

The government asked the DDRB and SSRB for recommendations for NHS staff not already in multi-year deals – this includes junior doctors, dentists in training, consultants, SAS doctors on old contracts, dentists and salaried GPs.

The full Pay Review Body reports can be found on GOV.UK. The Review Body for Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (covering doctors and dentists not in multi-year deals) recommended a 6% increase for the majority of its remit group. Pay for junior doctors will increase by around 8.8% on average. This is because the DDRB recommended 6% plus £1,250 on a consolidated basis.

The Senior Salaries Review Body (covering very senior managers in the NHS and executive senior managers in DHSC’s arm’s length bodies) recommended a 5% increase, with a further 0.5% in each employing organisation used to address specific pay anomalies.

Following acceptance of the Agenda for Change (AfC) offer by the NHS Staff Council, the government confirmed it would no longer be seeking recommendations on the 2023 to 2024 pay award from the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) for non-medical staff on the AfC contract.

The government has since received the report from the NHSPRB with their observations on the pay deal in England which we welcome and we have published at the same time as the DDRB and SSRB reports.

Those already in multi-year deals were not in scope of the pay review body’s recommendations this year. The DDRB were not asked to make a pay recommendation for GP partners as they are subject to a 5-year investment agreement to 2023 to 2024, which was agreed with NHS England and the BMA in 2019. For salaried GPs, the 6% award will raise the minimum salary by around £3,900 and the maximum by around £5,900.

The GP contract will be uplifted to provide funding for salaried general practice staff. This funding will be backdated to April 2023 and it is our expectation this funding is passed on promptly to all salaried general practice staff. As self-employed contractors to the NHS, it is for GP practices to determine uplifts in pay for their employees.

The government is absolutely committed to ensuring the NHS has the funding it needs to deliver for patients.

The government is committed to living within its means and delivering value for the taxpayer, and therefore it’s prioritising within existing departmental funding to fund these uplifts.

The government is working in collaboration with the NHS Staff Council to implement the NHS pay deal.
July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Brown remembers the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting that we must learn the lessons of history.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

On 11 July we paused to remember the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to honour the survivors.

Mr Chair, 28 years ago in Srebrenica, genocide took place in Europe for the first time since 1945. The genocide claimed the lives of over 8,000 mostly Muslim men and boys, and led to the displacement of over 20,000 women and children who were forcibly expelled from their homes. We honour the memory of those killed, and pay tribute to the extraordinary courage and resilience shown by their families and by survivors. We stand with the families in their ongoing fight for justice.

The UK is committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in its efforts to build a secure, stable, inclusive society, and heal the fractures caused by conflict. It is regrettable that we continue to see divisive and dangerous nationalist rhetoric, threats of secession, and open challenges to the constitutional order established by the Dayton Peace Agreement. The UK is committed to a single, sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will continue to take action in support of that. We also continue to urge political leaders to condemn any glorification of the perpetrators of war crimes, and to take action against genocide denial.

Mr Chair, as was the case in 2022, we remember Srebrenica this year in the shadow of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. We must learn the lessons of history. Terrible events such as the genocide at Srebrenica show the consequences of inaction. We owe it to the victims to create societies that are stable, inclusive and cohesive, and to fight against prejudice, hatred, fear and division wherever we find it. The greatest tribute we can give to those who lost their lives is to do everything we can to prevent such a horrific crime from ever being repeated.

As our Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans, James Heappey, said during the UK National Srebrenica Memorial Day Ceremony earlier this month, we will never forget Srebrenica. We can demonstrate that best by doing everything in our power to ensure that the senseless violence of 28 years ago is truly a thing of the past.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – General comment on human rights situation in Columbia [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Statement on technical cooperation and capacity-building in the field of human rights in Colombia. Delivered by UK Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Mr President.

Let me begin by thanking Colombia for presenting this timely and important initiative to the Council. We have valued their openness and transparency throughout the negotiations.

Colombia serves as an important example that resolving enduring differences is only possible through peaceful dialogue. We commend Colombia’s ongoing collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the intent of this text to strengthen this relationship.

The Colombian people have achieved substantial progress since the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement. Yet, as we recognised at the Security Council yesterday, several challenges remain to ensuring full implementation of the Peace Agreement and to securing lasting peace in Colombia.

The security situation has been given repeated attention by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and is detailed in the Truth Commission’s final report, a vital milestone on Colombia’s path to peace.

We take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Truth Commissioner’s hard work and to the thousands of victims who gave evidence for their courage. We urge all parties to implement the Commission’s recommendations, and to support the committee that will supervise their implementation.

That is why the UK supports the appointment of an international human rights expert and the provision of technical assistance to support Colombia and relevant actors as they look to implement the recommendations of the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition.

It is only right that international partners pursue and strengthen their assistance for Colombian-led efforts to tackle the underlying causes of violence and to securing lasting peace.

Mr President,

The UK has co-sponsored this draft resolution. We urge all members of the Council to join us in fully supporting without reserve Colombia’s request for assistance in the field of human rights.

Thank you.

July 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Report by OSCE Head of Centre in Ashgabat – UK response [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 July 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown voices UK support for the OSCE Centre’s work in Turkmenistan, especially on border capability, gender equality, and climate.

Thank you, Chair. I would like to welcome you, Ambassador MacGregor, back to the Permanent Council, and thank you and your colleagues for your report and for the work undertaken at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat over the last year.

We are pleased that the Centre has increased the number and reach of its projects in Turkmenistan, especially among women participants. We are also pleased that, particularly through the visit of the OSCE Secretary General, the visibility of the Centre has remained high.

The United Kingdom and Turkmenistan have a close and productive relationship. This year we held the second annual Structured Dialogue with Turkmenistan, and last week, our Minister for Europe and Central Asia visited Ashgabat and met government interlocutors. We are committed to building cooperation across human rights, security, climate, economy and trade.

Chair, I would like to focus my remarks on three areas of the Centre’s work. First, on border capability, which has continued to develop since the last report and has the UK’s full support. The UK has been continuing its dialogue with Turkmenistan on the situation in Afghanistan, and recently our Minister for Europe discussed with the Turkmen Foreign Ministry the issues arising from terrorist threats emerging from Afghanistan. We are committed to working with Turkmenistan and the OSCE to mitigate these challenges.

Second, on gender equality. We are pleased that the work on promoting gender equality and support for victims of domestic violence has continued. The UK works through the UNFPA on gender-based violence and support for victims, and we co-chair the development partners group on gender issues. We are glad that the OSCE Centre has been able to work with this group. Nonetheless, the UK strongly urges Turkmenistan to address gender based violence and we encourage the Turkmen authorities to legislate accordingly.

Finally, on climate. We welcome the Centre’s dialogue on climate change issues and work with the Turkmen authorities to develop regulations for the supply of renewable electricity to the national power grid. My ambassador met the Turkmen Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection at the climate change conference here in Vienna last week, and briefly discussed areas of cooperation. We welcome the Turkmen authorities’ engagement on climate change issues and encourage the Centre to look for opportunities to raise the issue of methane emissions in future discussions.

Chair, to conclude, we were pleased to see the host government provide renovated premises to the field mission for the next ten years. This allows for some financial savings, and provides some security. But it is important to underline again the negative impact the continued non-agreement of the Unified Budget is having on the work of OSCE field operations, as highlighted in this Report. It is vital that field missions are adequately financed. We urge again participating States continuing to obstruct agreement of the Unified Budget to look beyond a narrow national focus, and to ensure all OSCE institutions have the funding they need to be able to effectively fulfil their mandates.

I would like to once again thank you, Ambassador MacGregor, and your team for your report, and wish you every success in future.

July 24, 2023