Tag: 2024

  • Rishi Sunak – 2024 Comments at Joint Press Conference with President Zelenskyy

    Rishi Sunak – 2024 Comments at Joint Press Conference with President Zelenskyy

    The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 12 January 2024.

    Volodymyr, thank you for the very kind honour you’ve just bestowed on me and for inviting me here today.

    It is an honour to stand with you…

    …and to send a message on behalf of the United Kingdom…

    …and indeed your allies around the world:

    Ukraine is not alone.

    And Ukraine will never be alone.

    Putin might think he can outlast us – but he is wrong.

    We stand with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.

    Because this war is about Ukraine’s right to defend itself and determine your own future.

    And the Ukrainian people’s historic choice…

    …to be an independent democracy at the heart of Europe.

    Your quest for freedom has inspired and moved the British people.

    And for the free nations of the world, aid to Ukraine is also an investment in our own collective security.

    Because if Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there.

    And our opponents around the world believe that we…

    …have neither the patience nor resources for long wars.

    So waver now, and we embolden not just Putin…

    …but his allies in North Korea, Iran, and elsewhere.

    That’s why the United Kingdom – and the free world – will continue to stand with Ukraine…

    …as we have since the very beginning of this war.

    Judge our commitment to Ukraine’s freedom not by our words, but by our actions.

    The UK was the first to train Ukrainian troops.

    First in Europe to provide lethal weapons.

    First to commit western battle tanks.

    First to provide long-range weapons.

    But we need to do more.

    Our actions right now will determine the path of the war…

    So, far from our resolve faltering, the United Kingdom is announcing today…

    …the biggest single package of defence aid to Ukraine since the war began, worth £2.5bn.

    This will include:

    More air defence equipment…

    More anti-tank weapons…

    More long-range missiles…

    Thousands of rounds more ammunition and artillery shells…

    Training for thousands more Ukrainian servicemen and women.

    And £200m to build thousands more drones…

    …the single largest package of drones given to Ukraine by any nation.

    In total, since the war began, the UK will have provided almost £12bn of aid to Ukraine.

    And I’m proud that today, President Zelensky and I…

    …have signed a new security agreement…

    …that will form the core of a partnership between our two countries…

    …that will last a hundred years or more.

    This is the first in a series of new, bilateral security assurances promised to Ukraine by 30 countries…

    …at last year’s Vilnius Summit.

    And it says that if Russia ever invades Ukraine again…

    …the UK will come to your aid with swift and sustained security assistance.

    We will provide modern equipment across land, sea, and sky…

    Sanction Russia’s economy…

    And work closely with allies to do so.

    You will not have to ask.

    You will not have to argue for what you need.

    The UK will be there from the first moment to the last.

    And of course, we continue to support Ukraine’s journey to NATO membership.

    You belong in NATO and NATO will be stronger with you.

    I pay tribute to all those whose significant efforts made today’s agreement happen…

    …from the Office of the President, to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and many others besides.

    President Zelensky and his team serve not only their country but the cause of peace and justice.

    The UK Parliament applauded your courage, resilience, and sincere love of for your country.

    Even at a time of war, you are reforming Ukraine for the better.

    And with your leadership, Ukraine will prevail.

    Volodymyr, the UK stands with you.

    I believe this is the greatest moment in the history of our relationship.

    It extends security guarantees from the UK to Ukraine that are unprecedented.

    It defines our future as allies, working together for the security of Europe.

    And it says that Ukraine’s place is, without doubt, among the free nations of the world.

    Be in no doubt:

    We are not walking away.

    Ours is the unbreakable alliance.

    The nezlamni allianz.

    And just as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine…

    …so those same principles guide our actions around the world.

    Let me say a brief word about the situation in the Red Sea.

    Overnight, the Royal Air Force carried out strikes against two Houthi military facilities in Yemen.

    I want to be very clear that these were limited strikes, carefully targeted at launch sites for drones and ballistic missiles.

    Over recent months, the Houthi militia have repeatedly attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea… risking innocent lives and causing huge economic disruption.

    In December, we launched Operation Prosperity Guardian with our allies to bolster maritime security.

    On 3 January, 14 counties issued a clear warning that attacks must cease.

    On 10 January, the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning the attacks… and highlighting the right of nations to defend their vessels and preserve the freedom of navigation.

    Yet the attacks have continued.

    British and American warships have been targeted.

    That’s why we’ve taken this further, limited action today… in self defence, consistent with the UN Charter.

    In the face of this aggression, we will always stand up for the rule of law.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Polish Armaments Group agrees defence agreements with UK firms [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Polish Armaments Group agrees defence agreements with UK firms [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department of Business and Trade on 12 January 2024.

    The Polish Navy’s Miecznik (“Swordfish” in Polish) frigates programme will now begin its next phase of development.

    • Latest phase of “Miecznik” programme to get underway in Poland
    • Three major UK defence companies will help build state-of-the-art multi-mission frigate fleet
    • “A major vote of confidence in our world-class expertise” – UK Investment Minister

    The UK Government has welcomed deals between three of the UK’s largest defence contractors and the Polish Navy.

    The Polish Navy’s Miecznik (“Swordfish” in Polish) frigates programme will now begin its next phase of development.

    An agreement between MBDA UK and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) was signed today. This is the third of PGZ’s contracts with UK companies under the Miecznik programme, following agreements with Babcock and Thales UK. The first of the three multi-mission frigates is expected to enter service in 2029.

    Investment Minister Lord Dominic Johnson said:

    Our defence exports are good for the economy and boost investment and jobs across the country.

    This agreement is a major vote of confidence in our world-class industrial expertise. Poland is a key partner for the UK, and this partnership will further strengthen the Polish fleet by putting some of the best UK capabilities behind it.

    The UK government has supported negotiations for a series of strategic agreements between three major UK defence companies and the Polish Armaments Group.

    UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE), part of the UK Department for Business and Trade, has been a key player in facilitating and securing these deals, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy. The aim is to strengthen long-term economic and defence cooperation between the two countries and support the UK’s competitive export offer.

    These agreements mean the frigates will be built in Poland with substantial transfers of technology and skills, boosting the economic security of a key NATO ally.

    Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge said:

    It is a testament to our outstanding defence industry that our key NATO ally has chosen warships based on the AH140 design – a design utilised by the Type 31 Frigates soon to be in service with the Royal Navy. The ships will enhance the Polish fleet, bolster NATO capabilities and support interoperability between the UK and Poland.

    These agreements are also another example of the very close working relationship we have with our Polish counterparts, building on our progress in many areas of defence.

    Each company plays a crucial role in the Polish frigate programme as a partner of the Miecznik consortium led by PGZ.

    Through a design licence agreement for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, Babcock is the platform design provider and strategic technology partner. The company is also a key part of the Programme Management Office which oversees design and construction of the ships.

    Thales UK will equip the frigates with the TACTICOS combat management system, sensors and radars, while MBDA UK will provide its Sea Ceptor naval air defence system, which will be equipped with CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) family missiles that have been recently procured by Poland for ground-based air defence.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on DPRK-Russia ballistic missile transfers [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on DPRK-Russia ballistic missile transfers [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 January 2024.

    Joint statement issued by Foreign Ministers on the DPRK’s export and Russia’s procurement of ballistic missiles, which have been used against Ukraine.

    The following is a statement from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the High Representative of the European Union, and the Secretary of State of the United States of America.

    We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) export and Russia’s procurement of DPRK ballistic missiles, as well as Russia’s use of these missiles against Ukraine on December 30, 2023, and January 2, 2024. The transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia’s war of aggression, and undermines the global non-proliferation regime. Russia’s use of DPRK ballistic missiles in Ukraine also provides valuable technical and military insights to the DPRK. We are deeply concerned about the security implications that this cooperation has in Europe, on the Korean Peninsula, across the Indo-Pacific region, and around the world.

    Our governments stand together in resolute opposition to arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia. The transfer of ballistic missiles, along with any other arms and related materiel, from the DPRK to Russia flagrantly violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) – namely, resolution 1718 (2006), resolution 1874 (2009), and resolution 2270 (2016) – that Russia itself supported. We are closely monitoring what Russia provides to the DPRK in return for these weapons exports. We call on the DPRK and Russia to abide by relevant UNSCRs and to immediately cease all activities that violate them.

    We urge all UN Member States, including all members of the United Nations Security Council, to join us in condemning Russia and the DPRK’s flagrant UNSCR violations. As Russia launches waves of missiles and drones against the Ukrainian people, we will continue to stand together in support of Ukraine. We further call on the DPRK to respond to the numerous and genuine offers to return to diplomacy, the only path to an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Experts and sector leaders invited to shape new UK National Maths Academy as call for evidence launched [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Experts and sector leaders invited to shape new UK National Maths Academy as call for evidence launched [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 12 January 2024.

    The call for evidence into a new UK National Academy of Mathematical Sciences is now open.

    • New National Academy of Mathematical Sciences to drive up skills
    • voices from business, academia and beyond encouraged to shape new Academy
    • maths underpins our economy from air travel to financial markets and will drive future tech like artificial intelligence and quantum

    Maths experts are invited to help shape a new National Academy of Mathematical Sciences that will skill-up the country and grow our economy, after a call for evidence was launched by Science, Research and Innovation Minister, Andrew Griffith, today (Friday 12 January).

    From keeping aircraft in the skies, to enabling global financial markets and even baking cakes, maths already touches every corner of our lives. It will play a pivotal role in keeping the UK at the forefront of future, transformative tech like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, making it even more important to seize the opportunity to make our country a maths superpower.

    Today marks the start of the process to deliver a prestigious, independent Academy with specific objectives that offers leadership within the sector and helps make the UK a maths powerhouse – upskilling our workforce and growing the economy.

    It is the latest development in government backing for maths, which includes a commitment to establishing 11 maths schools for 16-19 years olds that will prepare the most mathematically able pupils to succeed in maths-related disciplines in further education and future careers. It also comes amid a consultation into the Advanced British Standard, a baccalaureate style qualification framework to provide every child with a world-class education and ensure all young people have the skills they need, including a core focus in maths.

    The call for evidence is open until Sunday 25 February 2024 and stakeholders from academia, education, industry, the public sector and beyond are encouraged to express their views on its remit through the online form and/or applying to attend a series of roundtables organised by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

    Work will then begin on identifying delivery partners to build the Academy, who could in turn receive up to £6 million of government funding over the next three years, alongside charitable donations, and potential private sector funding.

    Over time, the new Academy will mark mathematics as a major priority in skills development and seek to emulate respected institutions in other fields such as the Royal Society, which offers authoritative scientific advice to decision makers and issues fellowship grants in excess of £80 million per year, or the Royal Academy of Engineering which offers extensive support to many of the UKs most innovative new businesses.

    As a subject which continues to be central to scientific progress and discovery, mathematics is at the root of understanding the world we live in and key to the spectacular progress we have seen in physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science over centuries. A new institution will help to reflect the prominence and focus that a discipline vital to driving such progress and understanding the universe deserves.

    Initial objectives of the Academy, subject to feedback, include:

    • Helping the sector to speak with one voice on enhancing mathematical sciences
    • Promoting maths’ role in growing the economy
    • Coordinating, views and evidence from across the mathematics community to provide high-quality advice to government and industry
    • Developing strategies to boost maths skills and qualifications in people of all ages and backgrounds across the UK.

    Science, Research and Innovation Minister, Andrew Griffith, said:

    From everyday arithmetic to expert application in financial markets and engineering, mathematics is at the root of so much of our lives and our understanding of the universe.

    Establishing a National Academy is an exciting opportunity for the brightest minds in the UK to come together and shape the future of their sector, and in turn helping to skill-up our country in a vital subject and growing our economy.

    I would encourage voices from academia, business, education, charities and beyond to get involved and offer their views.

    The new Academy builds on a recommendation of Professor Philip Bond’s independent ‘The Era of Mathematics Review’ and the recently published ‘Independent Review of the UK’s Research, Development, and Innovation Organisational Landscape’, led by Sir Paul Nurse.

    Feedback from the call for evidence will be used to develop a final set of objectives and functions that a new National Academy would be expected to deliver. This information will be published on the Gov UK website within four weeks of its closure, with stakeholders interested in delivering the organisation then asked to express their interest to DSIT.

    Professor of Creativity and Innovation at University of Manchester, Professor Philip Bond, said:

    The mathematical sciences, as the beating heart of modern innovation, underpin numerous scientific, technical and social advances that improve health and raise living standards. Recent advances in medical imagery, genetics, AI and quantum technologies, for example, all rely heavily on mathematical sciences such as harmonic analysis, optimisation, statistics and group theory.

    The recent announcement by government that a National Academy for the Mathematical Sciences is to be created is therefore very welcome news. The existing national academies provide essential support for the academic communities that they serve and form key bridges to industry and government.

    Their provision of expert advice and evidence-based policy recommendations provides enormous positive impact contributing to the well-being of the nation. I expect the new Academy to make a further significant contribution by enabling our mathematical scientists to foster communities more effectively, ensuring that the mathematical sciences flourish in the UK and by supporting academia, industry and government in working together to create a vibrant future for all.

    Chief Executive Officer of Smith Institute, Dr Ruth Voisey, said:

    I wholeheartedly welcome the establishment of a mathematical academy. It aligns with Smith Institute’s vision to bring the boundless potential of mathematical ingenuity to the everyday world, creating a positive impact across society, the economy and the environment.

    Possessing a single, authoritative voice supporting mathematical sciences will help the UK to make this vision a reality. I firmly believe that mathematics forms the bedrock of innovation, of harnessing the potential of new technologies and of shaping our response to crucial challenges that lie ahead.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Air strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Air strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 January 2024.

    On 11 January, Royal Air Force aircraft joined coalition forces in striking a number of facilities used by the Houthi rebel faction in Yemen to attack shipping in the southern Red Sea.

    The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond has already been active alongside US and French warships in defending vital international shipping lanes against Houthi drones and missiles. Given the persistence of the Houthis in threatening merchant ships, several of which have already suffered damage, and the deliberate targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on 9 January, coalition forces identified key facilities involved in these attacks, and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis’ capability to violate international law in this manner.

    Four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker therefore used Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct precision strikes on two of these Houthi facilities. One was a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones. A number of buildings involved in drone operations were targeted by our aircraft.

    The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft.

    In planning the strikes, particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians, and any such risks were mitigated further by the decision to conduct the strikes during the night. The detailed results of the strikes are being assessed, but early indications are that the Houthis’ ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow, and our commitment to protecting the sea-lanes, through which some 15% of the world’s shipping passes and which is vital to the global economy, has been amply demonstrated.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Famous Downing Street corridor showcases collection of Newcastle artworks [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Famous Downing Street corridor showcases collection of Newcastle artworks [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 12 January 2024.

    Artworks from the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle chosen to adorn the corridors of Number 10 Downing Street.

    • The initiative is part of the Government Art Collection’s ‘Number 10 Museum in Residence’ project.
    • Nine paintings will hang in the heart of Government for 12 months, on display to world leaders and high-profile guests.

    Nine artworks from the Laing Art Gallery collection in Newcastle have gone on display in 10 Downing Street’s corridor leading from the famous black door through to the Cabinet Room.

    The display will showcase the talent of artists from the North East to world leaders and industry bosses as well as high-profile guests, philanthropists, front-line workers, and charitable and civic leaders attending events in the building.

    The artworks will remain in the corridor for a year, as part of the Government Art Collection’s ‘Number 10 Museum in Residence’ project.

    For the past twenty years, the Government Art Collection has instigated an annual partnership with a museum or gallery across the UK to display artworks from their collection. Previous galleries include the Glynn Vivian in Swansea, The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester and The New Art Gallery in Walsall.

    The nine chosen works from the Laing Art Gallery, situated in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, are representative of the city and the wider North East of England. Five of the paintings showcase Newcastle’s cityscape, while the others point to the diverse art scene of the North East. All of the works are by influential artists from the area, who taught at its art schools, or who have been inspired by its landmarks and landscapes.

    Paintings in the display include a large oil painting by Edward Dickey, depicting the iconic Tyne Bridge mid-construction, and Caravans, Figures and Helter Skelter, a work from 1930 by Byron Dawson that shows a scene from the long-running travelling fair The Hoppings, which sets up on the Town Moor annually. There are also several mid-20th-century works by figures associated with the region’s progressive art schools such as graduates of King’s College (now Newcastle University).

    Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

    The Museum in Residence scheme helps to ensure that visitors to 10 Downing Street get a glimpse of the brilliant range of artistic talent the UK has to offer.

    I’m delighted that visitors over the next year will get to learn more about the proud culture and rich heritage of Tyneside thanks to this partnership with the Laing Art Gallery. The first thing they’ll see after walking through that famous front door is a huge portrait of the Tyne Bridge, which fills my Geordie heart with pride.

    Julie Milne, Chief Curator of Art Galleries at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said:

    We have enjoyed working with the Government Art Collection team in selecting paintings from the Laing Art Gallery. It has enabled us to see the works from a fresh perspective – to hone and highlight narratives about the North East. We are delighted that our wonderful pictures will be seen by a range of people, from the UK and around the world, as they pass through the doors of Number 10.

    Works are selected on the basis that they are not part of the lending gallery’s programme over the period of the display, giving them an opportunity to be seen by new people.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2024 Statement on Strikes Against Houthi Military Targets

    Rishi Sunak – 2024 Statement on Strikes Against Houthi Military Targets

    The statement made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 12 January 2024.

    The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

    In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices. Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

    Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.

    This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.

    The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister in Kyiv – UK support will not falter [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister in Kyiv – UK support will not falter [January 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 January 2024.

    The Prime Minister will reiterate the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine in a visit to the capital Kyiv today.

    • Prime Minister to visit Kyiv today [Friday] to set out a major new package of support and reaffirm the close UK-Ukraine partnership
    • Rishi Sunak will increase military funding for Ukraine next financial year to £2.5 billion, supporting largest ever commitment of drones
    • The Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy will also sign a historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation
    • The Prime Minister is expected to meet first responders dealing with the aftermath of Russian bombings as part of his visit

    Later today, the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy will sign a historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation. The G7 nations agreed to provide Ukraine with bilateral security assurances at the NATO Summit in Vilnius last year; the UK is the first country to deliver a final agreement. The totemic agreement is intended to be the first step in developing an unshakeable hundred-year partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

    The UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation formalises a range of support the UK has been and will continue to provide for Ukraine’s security, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation.

    It also commits the UK to consult with Ukraine in the event it is ever attacked by Russia again, and to provide “swift and sustained” assistance for their defence.

    Ahead of meeting President Zelenskyy, Rishi Sunak has also confirmed the UK will provide £2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2024/25, an increase of £200 million on the previous two years.

    The funding will help to leverage the best of UK military expertise and defence production to ensure Ukraine’s victory on the battlefield, including in critical areas like long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

    Of the £2.5 billion, at least £200 million will be spent on a major push to rapidly procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones. The technology will give Ukraine cutting edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens and target the invading Russian forces on land and sea.

    This will be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation. Most of the drones are expected to be manufactured in the UK, and the Ministry of Defence will work with international partners to significantly scale up the number of drones provided for Ukraine’s defence.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.

    I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.

    “The UK is already one of Ukraine’s closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security. Today we are going further – increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.”

    During his visit to Kyiv, the Prime Minister is expected to meet emergency workers responding to the aftermath of Russian airstrikes. He will announce a further £18 million in aid for Ukraine, building on almost £340 million already provided. Some of that funding will support organisations like the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the frontline, and £8 million will go to fortify Ukraine’s energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.

    As part of efforts to cement the close bond between our two nations and Ukraine’s place at the heart of Europe, the UK will also provide additional funding and resources for English language training in Ukraine.

    The Ukrainian Government has proposed legislation to promote English in Ukraine, boosting economic competitiveness and diplomatic ties. Today’s announcement will see the UK fund online English lessons for Ukrainians of all ages, as well as providing resources and teacher training.

    Today’s visit builds on months of direct diplomacy between the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy, as well as a world-leading record of UK military, diplomatic and economic support for Ukraine. With this latest funding, the UK has now provided almost £12 billion in support to Ukraine and has often been the first-mover on vital lethal aid, from Storm Shadow cruise missiles to a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on strikes against Houthi military targets [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on strikes against Houthi military targets [January 2024]

    The statement made by 10 Downing Street on 12 January 2024.

    Joint Statement from the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States.

    Recognising the broad consensus as expressed by 44 countries around the world on December 19, 2023, as well as the statement by the UN Security Council on December 1, 2023, condemning Houthi attacks against merchant and commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, our governments issued a joint statement on January 3, 2024, which called for the immediate end of illegal attacks and warned that malign actors would be held accountable should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways. Despite this strong warning, attacks in the Red Sea have continued, including the launch of numerous missiles and one-way attack aerial vehicles against ships in the Red Sea on January 9, 2024, including U.S. and UK vessels.  On January 10, 2024, the UN Security Council passed UNSCR 2722, which also condemned these attacks and demanded that they cease.

    In response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.  These precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of international mariners in one of the world’s most critical waterways.

    The Houthis’ more than two dozen attacks on commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Today’s action demonstrated a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international commerce, and defending the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks.

    Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and ensure the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.

  • PRESS RELEASE : We remain concerned by violence against human rights defenders, women and social leaders in Colombia – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : We remain concerned by violence against human rights defenders, women and social leaders in Colombia – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 January 2024.

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

    Thank you, President.

    Let me thank SRSG Ruiz Massieu for his briefing today. I’m grateful to Yolanda Perea for her powerful testimony, and commend the vital work of women peacebuilders and women’s rights organisations working for peace and justice in Colombia. I also welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Leyva in our meeting today.

    As we mark the seventh anniversary of the 2016 Peace Agreement, the United Kingdom continues its unwavering support to the Colombian people along their path to peace.

    We welcome the Government’s commitment to accelerate implementation of the ethnic chapter, including initiatives on access to land and reintegration.

    We urge further steps to ensure 60% of the ethnic chapter is implemented by 2026 as agreed in the recent Government pact. Full implementation of the gender and ethnic provisions of the Peace Agreement is needed to address the drivers of inequality and to protect vulnerable groups including indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities most affected by the conflict.

    We remain strongly concerned by violence against peace signatories, human rights defenders, communities, women and social leaders – this includes three reported killings of peace signatories and human rights defenders already in 2024. We strongly encourage the Government to step up efforts to protect these local leaders and participants in the peace process. Security guarantees are an essential component of the Peace Agreement underpinning progress in all other chapters, including reintegration.

    The recently approved Comprehensive Reintegration Programme is a welcome step. We also reiterate our call for the appointment of a dedicated office within the Presidency to coordinate and advance implementation of the agreement.

    President, we welcome the Government’s commitment to expanding peace through dialogue and we note the intention to extend the ceasefire with the ELN. The ELN’s commitment to abide by international humanitarian law, including refraining from kidnapping, must be reflected in a change of practice on the ground.

    Finally, the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting broad and lasting sustainable peace in Colombia. We look forward to a visit by the Council next month to see first hand the progress made to date and learn how we can contribute to supporting Colombia on this journey.

    I thank you.