Tag: 2024

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 May 2024.

Justin Addison, Second Secretary at the UK Delegation to the OSCE, addresses the OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Forum First Preparatory Meeting.

The UK would like to thank the chair for dedicating a session to this theme, which is timely. Food production and agriculture cause extensive nature loss and greenhouse gas emissions. Pressure is mounting to urgently develop more resilient food systems that benefit people, planet and prosperity.

The UK recognises the scale of the challenge. Our long-standing funding of CGIAR, the world’s leading agricultural science and innovation organisation, has helped millions of farmers to increase the resilience of their crops.  Our investment in the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program has helped over 18 million smallholder farming households, including across Central Asia. And our support for the Agriculture Breakthrough will accelerate development of clean technologies and sustainable solutions in the agriculture sector.

We are proud of these efforts, however we cannot forget one of the key drivers of food insecurity is conflict, where innovative policies and technical fixes are wholly insufficient.

One of the tragic results of Russia’s unjustified and illegal invasion of Ukraine has been the impacts on global food security. Over two years of war have seen agriculture costs increase, while landmines have reduced the amount of land available to farm.

Since intentionally causing the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative last year, Russia has systematically attacked Ukrainian civilian grain and port infrastructure, clearly intending to degrade Ukraine’s ability to export food.

In response, the UK has worked closely with Ukraine and others to ensure Ukraine can continue to export its grain. We have worked with Ukraine to secure the temporary maritime corridor, including by providing equipment and preventing and deterring Russian attacks. The ‘Unity Facility’, developed by Ukraine and a UK-based insurer, has been key in reducing insurance premiums for commercial shipping using the corridor.

Chair, the world needs a free and a safe Ukraine. Then it can return to helping supply the world with its food, avoiding further damage to an already fragile global economy; and innovative policies can be used to secure its sustainable development.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2024.

The UK has imposed new sanctions on extremist groups and individuals for inciting and perpetrating settler violence in the West Bank.

• further sanctions package targets those inciting and perpetrating settler violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
• new measures follow unprecedented rise in settler violence over the last year and come after a previous UK sanctions package in February

The Foreign Secretary has today announced further sanctions on extremist Israeli groups and individuals for violence in the West Bank.

Today’s package includes 2 groups known to have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as well as 4 individuals responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses against these communities.

The measures follow an unprecedented rise in settler violence in the West Bank over the last year, with the UN recording at least 800 incidents since October.

Hilltop Youth, one of the groups sanctioned today, is a hardline nationalist Israeli youth group which establishes illegal settler outposts across the West Bank with the stated mission of expelling all Palestinians from the Occupied Territories. Lehava is also sanctioned today for facilitating, inciting, and promoting violence against Arab and Palestinian communities.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said:

Extremist settlers are undermining security and stability and threatening prospects for peace.

This latest package of sanctions targets 2 groups leading these attacks, and 4 individuals who are directly responsible for egregious violence against Palestinian civilians.

The Israeli authorities must clamp down on those responsible. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if needed, including through further sanctions.

The 4 individuals sanctioned today for egregious human rights abuses against Palestinian communities are:

• Noam Federman: a radical settler activist and former leader and spokesperson of the now-defunct Kach party, that espoused overtly racist and violent policies. He has trained settler groups to commit acts of violence against Palestinians and how to avoid repercussions from the Israeli state
• Neria Ben Pazi: is responsible for illegally constructing 3 illegal outposts between 2015 and 2023 and has supported and participated in acts of violence and displacement of Bedouin and Palestinian communities in the West Bank
• Eden Levi: has been documented on multiple occasions as taking part in assaults and intimidation of Palestinians, as part of a wider intimidation campaign aiming to drive their population out of the area. As recently as 12 October 2023, he was involved in an incident during which Palestinian villagers were beaten and sexually assaulted
• Elisha Yered: is an unofficial spokesperson for Hilltop Youth. He has a history of making inflammatory statements inciting religious hatred and violence, including justifying the killing of Palestinians on religious grounds, and calling for the takeover of Palestinian land and the expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank

Today’s measures impose financial restrictions on the entities and individuals, and travel restrictions on the individuals.

Further information

• today’s sanction package is the second UK package targeting persons involved in settler violence in the West Bank. The first tranche was announced by the FCDO on 12 February 2024

Definitions

• an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world
• a travel ban means that the designated person is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, and must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom (and any leave given to a person who is an excluded person is invalid)

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2024.

The United Kingdom has joined with its international partners to condemn malicious cyber activity by the Russian Intelligence Services.

A UK government spokesperson said:

The United Kingdom stands with the European Union, Germany, Czechia and other allies in strongly condemning malicious cyber activity by Russian Intelligence Services.

Today’s statements from our allies demonstrate the scale, persistence, and seriousness of unacceptable Russian behaviours in cyberspace.

Recent activity by Russian GRU cyber group APT28, including the targeting of the German Social Democratic Party executive, is the latest in a known pattern of behaviour by the Russian Intelligence Services to undermine democratic processes across the globe.

On 7 December 2023, the UK exposed a series of attempts by the Russian Intelligence Services to target high-profile UK individuals and entities through cyber operations. At the same time, we sanctioned 2 Russian nationals responsible for political interference.

With multiple elections around the world in 2024, raising awareness of the threat to the UK and our international partners remains vitally important for our collective resilience.

Today, as part of a broad coalition of allies, we are making clear to the Russian state that we will continue to identify, expose, and respond to such unacceptable activity.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2024.

The UK and Ukraine have launched the InnovateUkraine programme, which will support 13 green energy innovation projects in Ukraine with a £16m investment from the UK government.

The UK government has invested £16m in innovations which will support the recovery and future sustainability of Ukraine’s energy system. The programme aims to rebuild Ukraine’s energy system, displace fossil fuels, and support post-war recovery.

The programme is delivered by a UK-based innovation agency and will leverage an additional £5m in private sector co-investment and involves collaborations between over 50 UK and Ukrainian organizations.

Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Halushchenko said:

Today we have a chance to demonstrate that the struggle for energy independence is  a fight for the future. The green transition goes way beyond ecology or distributed generation. For Ukraine, this is a matter of national security. I am sure that the implementation of the project in the field of green technologies is of great importance for the future cooperation between Ukraine and the UK in the energy sector.

The British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris said:

I am proud that the UK continues to support the recovery of the Ukrainian energy sector, particularly after recent brutal attacks from Russia. We want to see it greener and more resilient.

Our support for these 13 innovations – which bring together the best of British and Ukrainian business, universities, and civil society – will help Ukraine recover in a more sustainable way. These projects showcase the depth and breadth of partnership between our countries.

Some notable projects include developing a new space heating technology for heat pumps, an innovative battery storage solution for renewables, a more targeted approach to harnessing geothermal energy in Ukraine, and work to optimise Ukraine’s bioenergy resources.

The funded projects will execute their work plans over the next two years and receive support from an accelerator programme for further investment and market entry.

Originally announced at the UK-hosted Ukraine Recovery Conference in June 2023, this partnership has been designed by the UK and Ukrainian Governments over the course of the last 12 months.

By combining the rich science, technology and innovation heritage of both the UK and Ukraine, this competition aims to address not only Ukraine’s immediate priorities, but also wider global challenges.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 April 2024.

UK Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan met with senior representatives from the Chinese government and Hong Kong authorities as part of her 6-day visit.

The UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, met with senior representatives from the Chinese government and Hong Kong authorities as part of her 6-day visit to Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong.

In Beijing, she met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Li.

The Minister reiterated to Vice Minister Deng the UK’s approach to China, in line with the Integrated Review Refresh – outlining the protect, align and engage pillars of the UK’s China strategy.

They discussed the global issues on which the P5 Security Council need to cooperate. The Minister encouraged China to use its influence positively to avert further escalation in the Middle East; and urge Russia to end its illegal invasion in Ukraine, including through engaging constructively with international efforts to achieve a just peace, and ensuring Chinese companies do not circumvent sanctions by supplying Russia including through dual use goods and components.

The 2 ministers explored mutual opportunities for greater co-operation between the UK and China on issues such as AI safety, trade, development, and climate change.

During the meeting, Minister Trevelyan made UK concerns clear, on human rights, the implementation of National Security legislation and connected cases in Hong Kong, including Jimmy Lai’s ongoing trial. The Minister set out concerns against any interference in the UK’s democratic institutions, stressing the importance of the UK’s parliamentary democracy and that we will always put our national security first. She urged China to lift sanctions on MPs and other British nationals.

Minister Trevelyan then travelled to Hong Kong in the first visit by a UK FCDO minister to the Special Administrative Region since 2018, meeting with Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasised our historic ties to Hong Kong and its people and our support for rights and freedoms set out in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The Minister raised concerns over the deterioration of rights and freedom in the city precipitated by the 2020 National Security Law, as well as the prosecution of Jimmy Lai and others and the recent passage of legislation under Article 23. She also addressed matters of concern for the BN(O) community in the UK including the imposition of bounties.

The ministers also discussed important areas for pragmatic cooperation, including issues of global concern like financial stability, tackling illicit finance and leadership on green finance.

Throughout the visit, the Minister reiterated the need for a constructive and open relationship to be able to discuss issues of mutual and global interest as well as areas of disagreement or concern.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on conflict-related sexual violence.

Thank you, President, and I would like to thank SRSG Patten, Ms Ahmadi, and Ms Gurira for briefing us today. I would particularly like to thank SRSG Patten for her commitment to speaking out on behalf of victims and survivors, and for upholding and delivering on her mandate. Thank you.

President, conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is not an inevitable consequence of war. The UK remains committed to tackling CRSV. Indeed, we have prioritised this agenda through the leadership of our Prime Minister’s special representative, and we’ve contributed through key initiatives including the launch of the Murad Code. I’d like to outline three priorities:

First, on the focus of today’s debate: UNIDIR estimates that 70-90% of CRSV incidents involve weapons and firearms. In contexts where widely available small arms and weapons are contributing to high rates of CRSV, effective conventional arms control can play a vital role in prevention. Women should be at the centre of these efforts.

Our own WPS National Action Plan highlights the importance of arms control. We call for the implementation of national arms control measures, including effective export controls, to strengthen CRSV prevention. Gender-responsive security sector reform will help ensure those who bear arms do not use them to perpetrate CRSV.

The fact that CRSV is so widespread, as shown in the Secretary General’s Annual Report, is truly shocking. This Council has an essential role to play in shaping the international response to CRSV. We should use the tools the Security Council has to deter future CRSV, including through sanctions where appropriate.

Second, President, there are three contexts I would like to draw particular attention to:

First, In Sudan, as Ms Ahmadi’s moving briefing brought home to us so clearly, reports of CRSV paint a dire picture, and the UK is supporting partners to care for and protect survivors. We echo the Secretary-General’s call for the cessation of violence, an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and for humanitarian corridors so that survivors can access support.

The second context is Ukraine. There is mounting evidence of conflict-related sexual violence committed by Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. Two Russian perpetrators have been convicted for CRSV. These acts appear to show a pattern where CRSV is being used as a weapon of war. The UK PSVI Team of Experts is helping to build investigatory capacity to support accountability in Ukraine.

The third context, in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, we condemn all allegations and reports of CRSV. We call for thorough investigations and a survivor-centred approach, and for hostages to be released immediately, and for detainees to be treated with dignity and in line with humanitarian international law.

Finally, President, in a world where, as we heard from Ms Gurira, 80 cents is all it takes to destroy a girl’s life, the UK continues to drive action to strengthen the global response to CRSV, having established last year the International Alliance on PSVI. Twenty-six members have joined including governments, multilaterals, survivors, and civil society organisations, including the ICC, and we continue to welcome new members. Through the Alliance, we are driving forward stronger international coordination to address CRSV and provide support to survivors.

We call for Council members to implement the recommendations of this report to play their part to end these abhorrent acts and to end impunity for them, once and for all.

Thank you.