Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 August 2023.

The UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament spoke at the First Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

Mr Chair, the United Kingdom remains committed to the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons with undiminished security for all, as the Prime Minister reaffirmed when he visited Hiroshima in May. We firmly believe that the only credible way of achieving this goal is gradual multilateral disarmament negotiated through the NPT.

We must be clear eyed about the challenges we face in this task as the security environment has grown more challenging. The UK’s 2021 Integrated Review and its 2023 Refresh set out the growth in systemic competition between states. Some are significantly increasing and diversifying their nuclear arsenals. Some are investing in novel nuclear technologies and developing new ‘warfighting’ nuclear systems which they are integrating into their military strategies and doctrines and into their political rhetoric to seek to coerce others.

As a nuclear-weapon state that takes its responsibilities seriously, the UK will continue to work internationally towards creating the environment for a world without nuclear weapons. The UK has made a significant contribution to the reductions in the global stockpile of nuclear weapons. Since the end of the Cold War, the UK has approximately halved its stockpile and continues to have the lowest stockpile of any Nuclear Weapon State. We have de-targeted and de-alerted our nuclear weapons and have reduced our deterrent capability to a single delivery system and the role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy. We have reaffirmed our negative security assurances, and our support for Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones.

It is important that parties to the arms control architecture fully implement their obligations under it. We urge Russia to return immediately to full compliance with the New START treaty, and to engage constructively with the United States on this matter.

But progress on disarmament is reflected not just through reductions in weapon stockpiles. We must also build collective trust and create a better security environment – not as a condition, but an enabler for our ultimate goal.

In this context, and recognising that it is not a substitute for disarmament, we must redouble our efforts on strategic risk reduction. The UK is ready to work with all states – including those who may threaten our interests and security – to build stability, transparency and better mutual understanding, and to identify and implement effective measures for strategic risk reduction which reduce the likelihood of nuclear use.

Mr Chair, the best way to make progress on disarmament in the current circumstances is to focus on working on the pragmatic and necessary steps to lay the groundwork for the future. The UK is committed to playing its part in this essential work.

In this review cycle, we will dedicate our efforts to making progress on verification, irreversibility and transparency, building on the working papers we submitted, on our own and with partners, at last year’s Review Conference.

On verification, we will continue our domestic research programme and international work, including in the Quad Nuclear Verification Partnership and with the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification. We are pleased that the UN Group of Government Experts was able to adopt consensus conclusions and recommendations. We hope that we can continue this work, including establishing a UN Group of Scientific and Technical Experts.

We will also play our part in further developing our collective thinking on the principle of irreversibility. As set out in the joint statement delivered earlier by the distinguished representative of Norway, we will sponsor relevant research, convene conferences and share the results. We warmly invite all delegations to our side event on this subject, co-hosted with Norway and VERTIC, in Room M6 this lunchtime.

The UK has long spoken of the importance of the principle of transparency. Transparency both underpins confidence-building and negotiations between Nuclear Weapon States, and accountability to our Parliament and public and to fellow States Parties in our implementation of the NPT. While it was encouraging that proposals on this issue at last week’s Working Group on the further strengthening of the review process commanded broad support, we were disappointed that they could not be agreed. We should continue to work on these proposals in the context of the Preparatory Committee with a view to improving the quality, consistency and use of reporting at the Review Conference.

Mr Chair, it is 25 years since the UK signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, 28 years since we declared a voluntary moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, and 30 years since the consensual adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. We continue to call for the entry into force of the CTBT and the commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on an international and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices.

Mr Chair, let me conclude by assuring you of the UK’s continued commitment to progress on this issue throughout this review cycle.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 August 2023.

British High Commissioner-designate to Malaysia, HE Ailsa Terry CMG, has arrived in Kuala Lumpur to take up her new posting at the British High Commission.

Ms Terry arrives excited about the ever-growing UK-Malaysia relationship. In particular, she hopes to strengthen bilateral trade as the two countries are set to benefit from their first ever Free Trade Agreement, through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) which the UK signed up to last month.

The new British envoy will start her appointment as the British High Commissioner-designate on 10 August 2023 and succeeds Charles Hay MVO. She is expected to present her credentials to His Majesty The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong later this month.

Ms Terry said:

I am thrilled to be in Malaysia, a beautiful and diverse country with such a long standing and important relationship with the UK. This is an exciting time for both the UK and Malaysia as we build a modern partnership based around our many shared interests and I have a brilliant team to work with.

Building on the strong connections between our people, and our shared history and values as fellow Commonwealth members, I believe there is huge potential for the UK and Malaysia to work more closely together to boost our trade, education and tech relationship, tackle the climate emergency and uphold the international rules-based system. There is also opportunities to strengthen our defence partnership including through the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

Malaysia is a global biodiversity hotspot and our UK-Malaysia Climate Partnership Memorandum of Understanding will enable us to work more closely together. I also look forward to working with Malaysia on important issues affecting regional security, stability and prosperity especially during the Malaysian chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

Before taking up the post of High Commissioner, Ms Terry was the Director of the FCDO’s inaugural Sanctions Directorate from 2022 to 2023, which she established as part of the UK’s response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Prior to that, she was the Foreign Affairs Sous-Sherpa and Director in the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for the UK’s Presidency of the G7 in 2021. She also worked in the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office which supports the work of the UK National Security Council.

During her time in the British diplomatic service, she has been posted to Islamabad and the UK Mission to the European Union (EU) in Brussels. Ailsa was also the Political Adviser to the EU Special Representative to Afghanistan in 2011.

Ms Terry is married to Adam Terry and they have twin sons. She read English Literature (BA Hons) at Oxford University.  In her spare time Ailsa enjoys reading, cooking and spending time outdoors with her family.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 August 2023.

The UK’s Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, is in India for a 3-day visit to bolster bilateral cooperation on security initiatives and attend the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting.

During a meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, in New Delhi on Thursday (10 August), Minister Tugendhat announced new funding to enhance the UK’s capability to tackle Pro-Khalistan Extremism.

The £95,000 investment will enhance the government’s understanding of the threat posed by Pro-Khalistan Extremism, complementing the joint work already underway between the UK and India through the Joint-Extremism Task Force.

Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, said:

The living bridge between India and the UK reflects our deep and enduring friendship. As the world’s oldest and largest democracies, we have many shared opportunities to make the world a safer and more prosperous place.

A deeper partnership between our two nations means we can more effectively tackle the security threats we both face. I’m committed to working together to enhance our understanding of and capabilities against extremism – whatever form it takes.

Corruption also harms our prosperity, damages our society and threatens our national security. I am delighted to be attending the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial meeting, presided over by India, to continue strengthening global resilience and cracking down on its corrosive influence.

Before travelling to Kolkata for the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial, which will take place on 12 August, Minister Tugendhat will visit the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to discuss joint challenges posed by child sexual exploitation and abuse, and fraud. He will also meet with the Indian National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval.

The UK Government recently launched a Fraud Strategy, which includes a new National Fraud Squad who will work with local forces, international partners – including the CBI – and the UK Intelligence Community to ensure that callous fraud cells are shut down.

At the G20, Minister Tugendhat will emphasise the UK’s unwavering commitment to fighting corruption, which undermines national security and global prosperity.

The G20 discussion will compliment work already underway by the UK Government to deliver a new UK Anti-Corruption Strategy.

British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said:

The unique connection between our people brings both huge opportunities and security challenges. Through mechanisms like the Joint Extremism Task Force we are acting jointly on countering threats, including pro-Khalistan extremism, as well as on migration, to keep our people safe.

Our migration and mobility relationship is a pillar of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which also includes ensuring a free and open Indo Pacific, and tackling the biggest challenges facing the world around climate and health. This is a partnership for now, including India’s G20 Presidency, and for the future.