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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.