Tag: 2025

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 August 2025.

A joint statement from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom on the 5th anniversary of the fraudulent 2020 presidential election in Belarus.

Joint statement from the Commonwealth of Australia, Canada and The United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland:

Five years ago, the Lukashenko regime launched a brutal crackdown on peaceful protestors following the fraudulent 2020 presidential election in Belarus. We – Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom – stand united in condemning the ongoing repression and human rights violations.

Since August 2020, the Belarusian authorities have waged a campaign to shut down civil society, independent media, and any form of political opposition. Thousands have been unjustly detained, subjected to torture, or forced into exile. These actions represent a flagrant breach of Belarus’ international law obligations and are a serious violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The regime’s support for Putin’s illegal war against Ukraine further underscores its disregard for global peace and security.

While we welcome the recent releases of several political prisoners in Belarus, we remain deeply concerned by the continued arrests and persecution of individuals for exercising their human rights.

Over 1,100 individuals remain detained in connection with political activities. We jointly call for their immediate and unconditional release and urge the Belarusian authorities to end their campaign of repression.

Our nations remain steadfast in defending human rights, promoting accountability, and supporting the Belarusian people’s aspirations for a free and democratic future.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 August 2025.

International Development Minister Baroness Chapman announced further UK funding for the UN humanitarian response in Gaza.

• UK announces additional support for UN agency as current humanitarian funding reaches over 750,000 Palestinians
• UK is the largest contributor to a UN Humanitarian Fund which is delivering vital support to 2.3 million people in desperate need
• Announcement comes as UK urges Israel to reverse its plan to expand its military operations in Gaza

UK aid funding announced today has the potential to reach thousands of desperate civilians in Gaza if Israel allows the UN and other agencies to operate at the scale needed.

The announcement follows the Israeli security cabinet approving a plan to further escalate its Gaza offensive, which the UK Prime Minister warned would do nothing to bring an end to the conflict.

The £8.5m funding announced will be delivered through the UN’s OCHA Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) Humanitarian Fund which targets the delivery of aid such as food, water and fuel to the areas of Gaza in the most acute need.

UK support delivered through OCHA has ensured critical healthcare provisions, food and cash assistance for over 750,000 Palestinians over the conflict. OCHA’s healthcare work overall, including fuel for hospitals and medicines have benefited almost 1 million people.

But the UN agency warns that their work is being systematically obstructed, despite their best efforts to coordinate and deliver much needed aid.

Minister for International Development Jenny Chapman said:

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues and we urge Israel to reverse its decision to expand military operations. All sides must return to the ceasefire to end the appalling suffering and secure the release of all hostages.

It is unacceptable that so much aid is waiting at the border – the UK is ready to provide more through our partners, and we demand that the Government of Israel allows more aid in safely and securely. The insufficient amount of supplies getting through is causing appalling and chaotic scenes as desperate civilians try to access tiny amounts of aid.

The UK is supporting the UN and other humanitarian partners who are delivering desperately needed support in the most difficult circumstances. Our announcement today will help to address that urgent need, but only if Israel allows Gaza to be flooded with aid.

The UK is the largest donor to the UN OCHA pool fund in 2025, demonstrating the government’s commitment to playing a leading role in alleviating the suffering of Gazans.

This funding is part of the UK’s £101m ODA budget for the OPTs for this financial year, of which £60m will provide lifesaving humanitarian support. As well as delivering humanitarian relief, UK ODA in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is supporting Palestinian economic development and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform.

The UK urges Israel to reconsider its plan to further escalate its offensive and continues to push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and an immediate surge in aid to Gaza.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 August 2025.

A statement from the UK alongside other G7 RRM member states (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, and the European Union) as well as G7 RRM associate members (Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden).

Today, members of the G7 RRM (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union) as well as G7 RRM associate members (Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden) issued the following statement:

The G7 RRM notes recent statements made by the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand condemning the July 25, 2025 decision by the Hong Kong Police Authorities. The authorities issued arrest warrants and bounties on individuals outside Hong Kong’s borders, including in G7 RRM countries, for exercising their freedom of expression. This form of transnational repression undermines national security, state sovereignty, human rights, and the safety of communities.

Building on the recent G7 Leaders’ Statement on Transnational Repression, G7 RRM members and associate members are committed to strengthening our efforts to safeguard our sovereignty, to keep our communities safe, and to defend individuals from the overreach of governments trying to silence, intimidate, harass, harm or coerce them within our borders.

We encourage individuals to report suspicious activities and any incidents of intimidation, harassment, coercion, or threats to their law enforcement authorities in accordance with domestic laws and regulations.

Since its inception, the G7 RRM has aimed to counter foreign interference. It includes G7 members, and Australia, New Zealand, NATO, the Netherlands, and Sweden as associate members. The G7 RRM and likeminded global partners stand together in countering these ongoing malign activities.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 August 2025.

Statements delivered by Kumar Iyer, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, 22 – 23 July 2025 at the World Trade Organization in Geneva.

Item 4 – Incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into Annex 4 of the WTO Agreement – Draft Decision (WT/GC/W/927/Rev.2)

Thank you Chair, it is a real pleasure to be here today at the WTO General Council meeting. It is my first full working day at the WTO and I have been in Geneva less than 48 hours, but I really look forward to working with all the Members here across the next four years and I very much look forward to working with you, the DG, and the whole team here.

It is a particular pleasure to make my first intervention on this topic. The IFDA shows the potential of the WTO at its best. Advantages of this agreement are well rehearsed and well known to all the Members here: it increases business confidence, reduces complexity, increases growth, increasing jobs and, most importantly, those jobs and growth will be concentrated in the developing world.

This is absolutely vital to closing the gap – the $4 trillion needed in investment to meet the SDGs – at a point in time when Governments around the world do not have the money to spend themselves. It is particularly important that we enable our private sectors to help fill that gap and make that investment across the world.

As I prepared for this role I spoke to a number of businesses and politicians in the UK and around the world and I explained to them the IFDA as an example of what we can achieve. I would explain that 127 members are already in agreement and then they would ask me ‘“so what is holding 127 members back?”’ and I’m afraid my answer to that was less convincing. I think, simply put, the UK feels this deal is ready, this agreement is ready to be made, we think it should be incorporated by MC14 and you can count on the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to make that happen.

Thank you.

Item 5 – Report by the Chairperson of the Trade Negotiations Committee and Report by the Director–General

This topic goes to the core of why we are here.

I am not going to be presumptive enough to make recommendations on what we should be changing on my first day – I’ll wait till tomorrow for that – but I will talk about why I wanted to do the job. It is not just because this organisation is really important and its outcomes are really important, but it is because of the risks posed to this organisation, the rules and standards that it sets.

This will lead to less efficient businesses, a less resilient and more volatile global economy and, if you want a fairness argument, in a world without those common rules and standards: might will make right.

If that is too abstract for us, then, without the WTO I don’t think we would have achieved the level of development goals. I don’t think today we would have an iPhone and, as I was picking up my clothes this morning, I don’t think I could afford my clothing. I was very proud that I had a Hackett suit, a Charles Tyrwhitt shirt and a German street tailor made my shoes.

I looked at the supply chain and it went through no fewer than five countries: it went through India, Bangladesh, China, Italy and the US – and I thought I was buying British-branded clothing.

None of this would be possible without the WTO. That is what our publics care about, that is what our politicians care about. Whether it is clothing, technology, food, infrastructure that is cheaper, quicker, faster; if we care about those things then we really do need to act at MC14. We can choose to miss that opportunity – and if we do choose to miss it – we shouldn’t complain about being poorer for it.

Chair, you will have the UK’s support to try and make MC14 one that should focus on reform.

Thank you.

Item 12 – Member Conversations on Current Economic Issues – Request from Canada

Thank you Chair.

We would like to add that we really support Canada’s work on this initiative. It is really important that we find open and honest ways of talking about the various elephants that we bring to the room. It is a very big room but it feels after the last day and half that we might soon run out of space if we don’t deal with some of them.

DG, you are right to redirect us in your last intervention to engage on the reform agenda when we talk about the problems that we have with the current rule book. The EU Ambassador rightly pointed to forums for diagnosis and solution, and we see this initiative by Canada as being one such forum in the process and journey to MC14. We particularly welcome its open and inclusive nature, the website for transparency, and the mix of developed and developing countries. We understand that the EU and Mexico will host the next session on 24th September and we invite all Members to join.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 August 2025.

Northern Ireland’s historic Hillsborough Castle will provide the backdrop for a foreign ministers’ meeting on the Western Balkans later this year.

Northern Ireland’s historic Hillsborough Castle will provide the backdrop for a foreign ministers’ meeting on the Western Balkans later this year. The Government is putting lasting reconciliation between neighbours in the Western Balkans region at the heart of discussions as the region faces growing threats from instability, corruption and criminal gangs that compromise UK security and growth.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy will welcome over 15 European Ministers to Belfast from 8 October, to lead talks to promote peace, stability and cooperation in the Western Balkans, strengthen Europe’s collective security and combat organised crime and people smuggling gangs.

The County Down location played host to vital moments in UK and Irish politics, including intense negotiations which salvaged peace talks from the brink of collapse, resolving decades of division between Northern Ireland communities and forging the way for the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, signed in 1998 under the last Labour government.

With unresolved disputes and increasing ethnic tensions in the Western Balkans challenging European aspirations and leaving the region vulnerable to malign influence, the Foreign Secretary will draw on experiences of the peace process and the practical examples of the inter-community cohesion present in Northern Ireland today.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

“Hillsborough Castle is a poignant reminder of the power of diplomacy to transform conflict and division into long-term peace and cooperation.

“By harnessing Northern Ireland’s experience, we hope to support partners in the Western Balkans to overcome the challenges of the past through meaningful reconciliation and help build a safe and prosperous future.

“As part of the Plan for Change, this government is committed to strengthening partnerships with Europe, ensuring strong foundations of economic stability, secure borders and national security.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said:

“Northern Ireland’s experience of securing peace through the Good Friday Agreement after decades of conflict has set a powerful example of reconciliation to the world.

“This provides a legacy of hope as well as practical experience which I believe will prove invaluable to our Western Balkans partners as they travel a similar path to peace and prosperity.

“As a long-standing forum for peace-building and politics, it is fitting that Hillsborough Castle has been chosen to host this significant international event.”

Laura McCorry, Head of Hillsborough Castle said:

“For centuries, Hillsborough Castle has been a place where people come together to shape a shared future.

“The castle stands as a living testament to the power of dialogue and reconciliation in a place where peace has been hard won.

“We hope it will provide an inspiring setting for the meeting and look forward to hosting the Ministers this autumn.”

The UK has a longstanding role and an important legacy in promoting security in the region including in Kosovo, where it has maintained a presence through NATO’s KFOR mission since 1999.

Since the election last year, the UK has stepped up engagement with Western Balkans countries to deliver on the Plan for Change, including smashing people smuggling networks exploiting the region as a gateway to Europe. In 2024 alone, more than 55,000 people were trafficked to other countries along routes through the Western Balkans. This government is taking practical steps to make change, including a joint agreement on organised immigration crime signed with Serbia during the Foreign Secretary’s visit to the region in April, when he also visited Kosovo. In May, he visited Bosnia and Herzegovina amid political instability in the country, part of the UK’s increased activity and engagement in the Western Balkans. This year, the Prime Minister has also expanded the Joint Migration Task Force with Albania and Kosovo to include North Macedonia. The task force brings together specialists from the countries involved to design and execute operations to detect, deter and manage illegal migration.

Last month, the Government launched the world’s first sanctions regime targeting irregular migration and trafficking criminals – including those from the Western Balkans – going directly after the vile networks profiting from human misery.

The Foreign Minister meeting forms part of the UK’s chairing of the Berlin Process in 2025: the key international forum instigated by Germany which brings together all six Western Balkans countries alongside partner European nations to drive regional and economic cooperation in the Western Balkans.

Also in October, the Home Secretary will host a migration-focused Interior Minister meeting, and the Prime Minister will host a Leaders’ Summit in London.