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PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine needs effective security guarantees that will work unconditionally – Mykhailo Podolyak

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 17 March 2022.

Immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine are among the key aspects of a peace agreement that could be signed as a result of negotiations with Russia to end the war against Ukraine. But strategically, our state wants to have a concrete mechanism that will guarantee its security in the future.

This was stated by Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak in an interview for WP Wiadomości.

“Immediate ceasefire and immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine is one of the key aspects of the peace agreement. There is no other way. However, the negotiations are a large-scale process in which not only Russia and Ukraine are involved. Our partners also take an indirect part. Because we don’t just have to sign a treaty. We want to develop a concrete mechanism that will guarantee our security in the future,” he said.

Mykhailo Podolyak noted that the Ukrainian and Russian delegations are still defending their positions at the talks, so it may take some time to agree on the disputed issues. Unfortunately, the process is not as fast as we would like it to be.

“During this time, we must move closer to a peace agreement. First of all, taking into account the interests of Ukraine, which has suffered enormous destruction by the Russian Federation,” he stressed.

The Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office is convinced that after the signing of such an agreement, Russia will have no choice but to begin the immediate withdrawal of its armed forces from Ukraine.

“After the signing of the treaty, the Vienna Convention will enter into force for both parties. It makes it clear that a peace treaty can be annulled if the belligerent states do not withdraw their troops from the enemy’s territory. Therefore, any attempts to keep Russian soldiers on Ukrainian land will be legally groundless,” he explained.

Mykhailo Podoyak noted that in order to prevent Russia’s another violation of international law and treaties, Ukraine wants to spell out in detail a specific plan for the withdrawal of Russian troops, legally verify it and gain the support of international partners.

“Besides, it is foreign states that will guarantee the fulfillment of conditions and Ukraine’s security in the future. This will be a document that describes in detail the procedure in case of repeated aggression by Russia. This is an innovative formula authored by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which can become the basis for creating a completely new security system in Europe,” said the Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office.

In his opinion, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown that the entire architecture of European security must be revised. That is why our state wants to end this war with a new coalition, so powerful that it will stop Russia if it wants to attack someone again.

Theoretically, now is the time to speak publicly about all aspects of modern challenges and openly assess the level of modern security contours. Do they cope with these challenges? Can they protect European cities from the barbaric bombings that Ukraine is experiencing today? Will Europe be able to finally get rid of the fear of the Russian Federation? It is obvious that the countries that will be the new guarantors of security will undertake certain commitments. “In the future, on the basis of today’s global crisis, a completely new alliance will be created, which will ensure the security of the whole of Europe,” Mykhailo Podolyak stressed.

The Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office stated that Ukraine would not agree to compromises that could damage its interests in any way. And it is not for the sake of such compromises that Ukrainians are now dying on the battlefields willing to fight to the end.

“We are not Russia. We know how and will continue to have a dialogue with our society. And we always hear our society. Unlike Russia, we can discuss any issues that should have been discussed long ago, but we will not agree to any ultimatum,” he said.

Mykhailo Podolyak noted that despite the complexity of this process, Ukraine must hold negotiations with Russia, as no one else wants to fight together with our state. We just have to understand that negotiations during the war are just another frontline.

August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : To date, nine humanitarian corridors have been agreed upon to evacuate the population and send aid – Iryna Vereshchuk

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 17 March 2022.

As of March 17, nine humanitarian corridors have been agreed upon to evacuate residents of settlements affected by the Russian invasion. An information bureau for war prisoners has also been set up. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk.

In particular, an evacuation corridor from the city of Mariupol to the city of Zaporizhzhia has been agreed upon in the Donetsk region.

“We have asked for approval of this route and plan to send buses from the city of Zaporizhzhia to Berdyansk to gather people from Mariupol. We will also send a tank truck to refuel private cars on the route,” she said.

A number of humanitarian corridors are planned in the Kyiv region:

From Borodyanka to Zhytomyr.

From the village of Shevchenkove to the city of Brovary.

“We also plan to deliver humanitarian aid in the form of food and medicine to the cities of Hostomel and Bucha, the villages of Semypolky, Markivka and Opanasiv,” said Iryna Vereshchuk.

In the Kharkiv region, a humanitarian route from the city of Vovchansk to Kharkiv has been agreed upon.

According to Iryna Vereshchuk, work is underway to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to all settlements that are surrounded or blocked.

“We are stepping up our efforts to free captured civilians,” she said.

These include the release of Dniprorudne Mayor Yevhen Matvieyev, Melitopol District Council Chairman Serhiy Pryyma, Ivankiv Mayor Tetiana Svyrydenko, Shchastya Civil City Administration Chairman Volodymyr Tiurin, Skadovsk City Council Secretary Yuriy Paliukh and SES rescuer Oleksiy Danchenko.

Iryna Vereshchuk informed that in accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war, the National Information Bureau was established on March 17.

“It is determined that the state enterprise “Ukrainian National Center for Peacebuilding”, which belongs to the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, will be a legal entity of public law and perform the functions of the National Information Bureau. We have informed the Red Cross through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the establishment of such a bureau and we hope that our work will be fruitful and productive for people, families who are waiting for their children to return home from captivity,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine held a meeting with the International Criminal Court Prosecutor

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 16 March 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a video conference with International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan who is on a visit to our country.

The President noted the importance of the decision of the International Criminal Court to start an investigation into Russia’s horrific violations of international criminal law during the invasion of Ukraine.

The President also thanked him for the visit to our country at this difficult time.

“It is very important for us during the war, during the aggression of the Russian state against our people, that you reacted so quickly, so professionally,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He assured that the Ukrainian authorities are ready to provide maximum assistance to the ICC investigation team, which began working in our country in March. The Prosecutor General of Ukraine and relevant law enforcement agencies are involved in this work.

“Everyone understands what is happening. There are already two thousand war prisoners, there are witnesses, there are video testimonies and everything they said without pressure. All those who took people’s lives for nothing on our land must be punished. We will cooperate with you at the highest level,” the President said.

He stressed that no war crime or crime against humanity committed as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine should be left unpunished. Everyone guilty must be brought to international legal and criminal responsibility – from the perpetrators to the military-political leadership of the aggressor country.

Karim Khan, for his part, said that he had already had the opportunity to see photos and videos of the aftermath of the invasion and bombings in Mariupol and other cities – the suffering of people, including children and women.

“The law must now move forward and be used to protect these people,” the International Criminal Court Prosecutor said.

He stated that in order to support Ukraine in this struggle, a historically rapid unification of a large number of countries took place.

“They realized that the rule of law could not just live in universities and courts. It must be put into practice if we want justice,” Karim Khan said, adding that he looked forward to effective cooperation with Ukraine to receive information from all intercepted evidence in order to really get to the bottom of it.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that he was ready to do everything possible to facilitate the ICC investigation “so that all criminals could be brought to justice.”

August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : As of today, Ukraine has become a member of the European Energy Union – Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 16 March 2022.

The system operator of the Ukrainian power grid Ukrenergo, together with its European counterparts, has completed the integration of domestic and European energy systems. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Ukrainian and European energy systems are already working synchronously,” the President said.

He reminded that on the night when Russia started the war against Ukraine, our state disconnected from the Russian and Belarusian energy systems and will never return.

“The enemy expected that the Ukrainian power system would collapse, that we would not be able to cope, so he seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, deliberately bombed and keeps bombing thermal power plants in Ukrainian cities and power lines. But the Ukrainian energy system has worked stably and steadily throughout the 21 days of the war, as recognized by Europeans. And starting from today we are no longer alone. As of today, Ukrainian electricity flows to Europe and European electricity flows to Ukraine,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to him, from now on the Ukrainian energy system has reliable energy reserves, which are located abroad, so it is protected from attacks by the invader.

“I am thankful to all the EU member states, personally to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson and dozens of people from Ukraine and Europe who worked day and night during these days of war, so that today we can say this: Ukraine is in the “energy EU”. We now have a single energy circulatory system from Lisbon to Mariupol. Ukraine is in the “energy eurozone”. We cannot be defeated,” the President said.

August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian side has not yet received approval of humanitarian corridors for evacuation of the population on March 16 – Iryna Vereshchuk

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 16 March 2022.

As of March 16, the Ukrainian side has not received a response on the approval of humanitarian corridors, and so far there are no guarantees for the safe evacuation of residents of settlements affected by the Russian invasion. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk.

“During the work of humanitarian corridors in the last few days, Russia has started gross violations of the ceasefire agreements. The invaders began firing at humanitarian convoys of buses, settlements and gathering places of people from which the evacuation of civilians was planned, as well as taking hostages of escorts,” she said.

Iryna Vereshchuk reminded that Oleksiy Danchenko, a rescuer from the State Emergency Service, remains in captivity. In addition, the invaders seized an intensive care hospital in Mariupol, took hostage 400 people, medical staff, and shelling is held from there now.

“We have not received a response to our proposals made yesterday to the International Committee of the Red Cross to open humanitarian corridors today. The issue of organizing humanitarian corridors today for Izyum and Mariupol remains open. In such conditions, of course, we cannot safely evacuate people,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

According to her, work is underway to organize the delivery of humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, to the captured or surrounded settlements of the Luhansk, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Chernihiv and Kherson regions.

Iryna Vereshchuk added that in case of change or opening of humanitarian corridors she will inform during the day.

August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the heads of governments of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia in Kyiv

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 16 March 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Jarosław Kaczyński, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala and Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša who arrived in Kyiv.

The President of Ukraine thanked the heads of government of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia for the support their countries provide to Ukraine, as well as for their personal visit to Kyiv.

“At a time when many ambassadors have left Ukraine in connection with the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, these dignitaries, leaders of their beautiful independent European states, fear nothing, care for our fate more, and they are here to support us. This is a great courageous, correct and friendly step. And I am sure that with such friends, with such countries, with such neighbors and partners, we will really be able to win,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters after the meeting.

The President noted that the talks focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, strengthening sanctions against the aggressor state, as well as the prospects of Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.

The interlocutors also touched upon plans to rebuild our country after the end of hostilities. In this context, international assistance in replenishing the relevant reconstruction funds already established by the Ukrainian government is important.

“We know for sure that everything we are discussing will reach the positive goal for our country, our security and our future,” the President stressed.

August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Research shows Londoners are worst affected by soaring inflation
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 22 August 2022.
- New City Hall analysis shows Londoners are experiencing higher inflation for local goods and services than the average across the UK
- Local food and rental asking prices driving London’s underlying inflation
- Low-paid Londoners face double threat of slow pay rises and rising inflation
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has warned that low paid Londoners are being hit harder by the cost of living crisis than other parts of the UK, as new City Hall research suggests that London is experiencing faster underlying inflation in some areas.

The UK’s rate of inflation jumped to 10.1 per cent in July, the first time it has registered a double-digit annual increase in more than four decades, and Bank of England projections point to inflation accelerating further later this year. However, over the last six months, underlying inflation for local prices in London has consistently been found to track 1.5 percentage points higher than the national figure.

Rising local food costs is one of the key pressures pushing the capital’s underlying inflation above the national average. This will affect Londoners on the lowest incomes the hardest as they spend a larger proportion of their income on food.

London rental prices are also a major factor: the Rightmove Rental Price Tracker (1) indicates asking rents for new rentals in London are growing faster than anywhere else in the UK, up as much as 15.8 per cent annually in the last three months. This inflationary pressure will only grow as more people renew or move out of contracts that may have been kept at a lower price for longer due to the pandemic.

However, Londoners spend less on energy compared to their counterparts in the rest of the UK due to warmer weather and smaller property sizes due to high housing costs, though they are of course still severely affected by inflation.

Meanwhile, London continues to see an uneven pattern of pay growth, with mostly high-paying jobs seeing the fastest wage growth, and lower-paying sectors seeing slower growth. Whilst sectors such as finance, ICT and science and technology have seen median pay grow by more than 17 per cent in London since 2019, sectors with low median pay have seen much smaller pay rises, which will likely be rendered as pay cuts in real terms when inflation is accounted for (Table 1).

Research from YouGov published last week (2) found 20 per cent of lower-income Londoners have regularly or occasionally gone without food or essential items or relied on outside support in the last six months. The number of Londoners being hit by the rising cost of living is also going up every month, with nearly a third saying they are ‘just about managing’ and almost one in five ‘financially struggling’.

Those being hit the hardest and most likely to say they are financially struggling are Asian and Black Londoners, those with an income of less than £20,000, renters and Deaf and Disabled Londoners.

Sadiq has suggested a range of measures the Government should implement now to ease the cost of living crisis for Londoners.

These include:
- The introduction of an energy ‘Lifeline Tariff’ for the most vulnerable Londoners, providing the minimum energy needed for a household to function for free, with any charges kicking in only once a minimum use threshold had been met. This would be a major step towards helping ensure people would not need to choose between heating and eating this winter.
- Introducing a two-year rent freeze for London’s 2.4m private renters, which would act as a first step towards devolving full rent control powers to cool London’s overheated private rental sector. City Hall analysis shows a rent freeze in the capital over two years would save renters an average of £2,988.
- Extending the provision of healthy free school meals to all primary school children during term-time with free meal vouchers available for those in most need during the school holidays. As well as helping all families with the cost of living, research shows that making free school meals universal helps reduce stigma and therefore boosts take up among families who need them most.
- Restoring the £20 Universal Credit uplift, which Ministers removed in September last year, pushing 130,000 more Londoners into poverty. The Mayor is also calling for all benefits to be raised in line with inflation and all caps to be removed to help cut poverty in London and across the UK.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “This new report shows in black and white that millions of low paid Londoners are living on the front line of the cost of living crisis.

“I’m doing all I can to support Londoners, but we need the Government to step up. This must include doing more on energy bills to ensure no one has to make the choice this winter of heating their home or eating, increasing benefits in line with inflation, and giving me the power to implement rent controls in London.

“Whoever becomes the next Prime Minister must make tackling the cost of living for Londoners – and people across the country – their top priority.”
August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mayor launches new nature trails to connect Londoners to green spaces

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 23 August 2022.

·         Four new London Nature Trails provide walking routes to connect natural spaces in the city’s most built up areas

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched four new London Nature Trails for Londoners to enjoy over the August bank holiday weekend.

The new walking routes connect natural spaces in the city’s most built up areas via green “corridors”, such as waterways and tree-lined streets to promote the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature. The Covid-19 lockdown highlighted how vital it is for Londoners to have access to green spaces for good health and wellbeing. These walking routes will connect Londoners to nature on their doorstep and will also help to address the inequalities in access to green space across our city.

The four new London Nature Trails are –

o    Wanstead to Royal Docks (East London)

o    Brockley to Bermondsey (South London)

o    Swiss Cottage to Kings Cross (Central London)

o    Wembley Stadium to Burnt Oak (North London)

Nature sites along the route include Camley Street Natural Park (Camden), Stave Hill Ecological Park (Southwark), Welsh Harp Open Space (Brent) and Bow Creek Ecology Park (Newham). The trails also pass landmarks such as the new City Hall in the Royal Docks, the Covid-19 memorial at the London Blossom Garden at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Wembley Stadium, ZSL London Zoo, the Thames and many more.

To launch the new routes, free nature activities will take place across the city this Bank Holiday weekend as part of the Mayor’s Let’s Do London campaign – which has been encouraging people back to the capital following the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry

These include bug house building, nature hunts and sculpture workshops. Full details on the routes and free activities can be found at www.footways.london/london-nature-trails

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

“The recent heatwaves, wildfires and flash-flooding we’ve experienced shows how vulnerable London is to the climate emergency. I’m doing all I can to support London’s green spaces and help improve the resilience of areas in our city.

“Every Londoner should have access to quality green spaces that are proven to help our health and well-being.

“I encourage all Londoners living near one of the new nature trails to get out and enjoy the routes. These new trails will show Londoners that even in built up areas, there are hidden gems to be explored and are a key part of my vision of a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners.”

Emma Griffin, Co-founder of Footways said:

“Walking is the best way to see London, enjoy its wildlife and be healthy. We’ve carefully designed these walking routes to follow London’s natural corridors – its canals, rivers, parks, woodlands and nature reserves. We’ve also picked out some interesting cultural and historical features to discover on the way. So whether you want a full-day activity, or choose a section for a shorter walk, you’re guaranteed to see something new and feel great.”

August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UNESCO Day for Remembering the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Abolition

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 23 August 2022.

City Hall will tonight (Tuesday 23) hold an event to commemorate the UNESCO International Day for Remembrance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its Abolition.

The fifth annual event, and the first to be held at City Hall’s new location at the Royal Docks, will remember the victims of the Transatlantic slave trade, reflect on its legacy, and honour those freedom fighters who fought for its abolition.

This year’s overarching theme is ‘decolonisation’ and will consider how we can best decolonise our history and ensure that the Transatlantic slave trade and its devastating, wide-ranging and ongoing impact is never forgotten.

This year’s event is in partnership with Sankofa Day and will be hosted by broadcaster Eddie Nestor MBE. The event will include speeches from Dr Debbie Weekes Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice; Dr Onkar Sahota, Chair of the London Assembly; and Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director General of Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO.

The keynote speech will be given by Professor Verene Shepherd, Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society and Hon. Fellow, Jesus College, Cambridge. Prof. Shepherd is the first Jamaican/CARICOM citizen and the first Black woman of African descent in the African diaspora to chair the United Nations’ Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Other speakers and performers include Brixton born Irish-Jamaican spoken word artist Ragz-CV, the London Youth Assembly, music by jazz band Tomorrows Warriors, the South African Cultural Gospel Choir UK, and an art exhibition by Deanio X.

The event has been planned in conjunction with the Windrush Foundation, Slavery Remembrance, and Wanda Nation and will be broadcast online from 6pm.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It is hugely important to remember and honour the millions who suffered as a result of the Transatlantic slave trade and the impact this has had on generations of Black communities here in London and worldwide. By bringing Londoners together for this event we provide an opportunity to reflect on the injustices of the slave trade, while learning about and celebrating all those who resisted and helped bring about change. We will also pay tribute to grassroots Black activist movements in present day and the work they are doing to improve our society.”

Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Dr Debbie Weekes Bernard, said: “This event provides a significant opportunity for Londoners of all backgrounds to come together and learn about how the history of the capital connects to histories of enslavement. The impact of Transatlantic slavery shaped the London we live in today, so it is crucial that we deepen our understanding of the legacy and effects of this appalling practice. We must take the time to remember the millions who suffered and died, celebrate those who fought to bring about abolition, and acknowledge the lasting injustices that tragically continue to affect Black Londoners today.”

Director of the Windrush Foundation, Arthur Torrington CBE, said: “This is an annual commemoration that focusses on more than 12 million Africans who were trafficked and enslaved in the West Indies, Americas, and Europe from the 16th century. On 23 August, we come together and celebrate the men and women who resisted and campaigned for its abolition. Also, we vow to fight against all forms of racism and enslavement.”

August 25, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mayor encourages Londoners to rediscover their capital
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 25 August 2022.
- Love London is the latest chapter of the Mayor’s Let’s Do London campaign and highlights some of the many unique things to love about life in the capital
- A takeover of the world-famous Piccadilly Lights, along with posters, cinema, radio, and social media adverts will carry a love letter to the city as people are invited to ‘make a date with London’
- New film, art and nature trails are part of the Mayor’s campaign to encourage Londoners to make the most of the many fantastic free and discounted things to enjoy in the city
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today encouraged Londoners to discover their city anew as his tourism campaign sends a love letter to the capital.

Emotive adverts will be running across the Tube network, on posters and billboards, in cinemas, on the radio and all over social media in the coming months to promote some of the most exceptional aspects of life in the capital. There was also a 10-minute takeover of the famous Piccadilly Lights advertising boards yesterday morning encouraging people to ‘make a date with London’.

New film, art and nature trails have been created to help Londoners see their city with fresh eyes. In collaboration with Film London, ‘London film locations to love’ highlights 10 famous movie scenes that can be recreated, including from the multi-award winning features Four Weddings and a Funeral, Paddington, and Rocks. A Summer Art Trail, in partnership with TfL, Somerset House, Heart of London and North Bank BIDs, shows off the best contemporary public art and culture, such as Art on the Underground, Zarah Hussain’s Pop Geometry at St James’s Market and ‘This Bright Land’ at Somerset House. Not only that but four brand new nature trails will now provide scenic walking routes to connect natural spaces in some of the city’s most built up areas.

A new photography competition is also being launched in partnership with Time Out to encourage Londoners to share what they love about London, with the winners set to receive one of five exclusive experiences in the city and their photo featured on Piccadilly Lights.

The promotions are part of Love London – the latest chapter of the Mayor’s Let’s Do London campaign which has been encouraging people from London, the rest of the UK and around the world to visit Britain’s capital following the devastating impact of COVID-19 on its retail, cultural, hospitality and leisure industries.

Last year, the biggest domestic tourism campaign the capital had ever seen generated an additional £81m in expenditure and 330,000 more overnight visitors to the city giving the capital’s economy a much-needed boost. Earlier this year, the Mayor extended this campaign with a £7m investment to encourage international tourists back to London.

This summer, after a poll by City Hall showed that 40 per cent of Londoners don’t know of ways to enjoy London for free, the Mayor has been highlighting the wide range of free and cut-price events and activities available. He has also partnered with Art Fund to offer discounted access to museums and galleries while Transport for London has teamed up with Official London Theatre’s annual Kids Week initiative to release thousands more ‘kids go free’ tickets for a range of top West End shows.

2022 has already been an exceptional year for major events in the capital with The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the 50th Anniversary of Pride in London, and this Bank Holiday weekend will see the return of the world-renowned Notting Hill Carnival. Throughout September there are a range of free events and activities, including the Greenwich + Docklands Festival, Open House Festival, Totally Thames Festival, the 20th anniversary of the London Design Festival, the inaugural Sculpture Week London and a range of events as part of Lewisham’s year as the London Borough of Culture.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “There is so much to love about London with our incredible cultural attractions, world-class shops, bars and restaurants, and, most importantly of all, the fantastic people who live here.

“That’s why London is the greatest city in the world and I’m proud my Let’s Do London campaign is encouraging everyone to enjoy the many varied and unique experiences our city has to offer.

“I’m delighted that my tourism campaign has already generated tens of millions of pounds for our economy and attracted hundreds of thousands to our city and I want to encourage even more people to make the most of our capital as we build a better London for everyone.”

Director Richard Curtis said: “I’m delighted to support the Mayor’s Let’s do London campaign. London is such a great city to film in – things you write become twice as good because of wonderful places you can set your scenes. I hope people will enjoy visiting the locations, remembering the scenes and relishing our great city.”

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “London’s history, dynamism and unique cultural mix have inspired spellbinding films and TV shows throughout the years. And these productions have in turn led visitors from all over the world to spend time discovering our city. Screen tourism is becoming an essential part of London’s industry, with films like Notting Hill, Rocks and Paddington showcasing the city’s myriad locations and effectively providing global advertising that money just can’t buy. I’m delighted to extend this invitation to Londoners and visitors alike to come, re-live and re-love London all over again.”

Zarah Hussain, artist and winner of the Art of London Brighter Future R&D grant, said: “London is an amazing, multi-cultural city with people from all over the world and those visiting the Brighter Future exhibition will be able to discover and enjoy bright, colourful art on some of our busiest streets”

Harry Hill, comedian and judge of Art of London’s Brighter Future programme, said: “It’s been a pleasure working with these artists and seeing our visions of a ‘Brighter Future’ come to life through art. Join my quirky art tour, Harry Hill’s Alien Art Adventure to discover more about the wonderful works we’ve unveiled across the West End.”

Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners which runs Visit London said: “London is buzzing with energy again and its fantastic to see Londoners and visitors from across the UK rediscovering their capital city. From art trails, exhibitions and festivals to our parks and theatre shows – there is something for everyone to enjoy in London these next few months, no matter their budget. Londoners play an important part in helping their city’s tourism and hospitality businesses bounce back by embracing the bars, restaurants and cultural attractions on their doorstep. There has never been a better time for Londoners to fall in love with the city they call home.”

Bernard Donoghue OBE , Director, Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), said: “London just felt less ‘Londony’ when our amazing museums, galleries and theatres were closed; London’s diverse culture and amazingly rich cultural offering is what makes this city great. Exploring what we have on our doorstep, and beyond, the different villages and markets, nature trails and urban safari adventures that make up London is the perfect way to make a date with London. And you don’t even have to dress up, come as you are.”
August 25, 2022