Tag: 2026

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 April 2026.

Members of the Armed Forces will soon have expanded access to media and entertainment, from top-flight sports like football and rugby to podcasts, gaming, and the latest and Defence news.

• Renewed BFBS contract will expand secure access to premium media for Service personnel, including from top-flight football to streaming services.
• New plans for a next-generation digital platform will future-proof media experiences and allow entertainment on-the-go.
• Enhancing our Armed Forces Offer to personnel, boosting morale and fostering community.

Members of the Armed Forces will soon have expanded access to media and entertainment, from top-flight sports like football and rugby to podcasts, gaming, and the latest and Defence news.  

The Ministry of Defence has extended their commitment to BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) with a new 10-year contract, expanding and adapting their service to a new media landscape, and ensuring that Service communities remain  connected and informed wherever they are in the world at the touch of a button.   

Media organisation and military charity BFBS plays a vital role in improving the experience and morale for service personnel and families wherever they are based, sustaining morale, fostering community, and alleviating isolation on deployment.  

This agreement is backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, hitting 2.6% of GDP from April 2027.  BFBS will develop new ways to connect with our service personnel, adapting their offer and technology, ensuring secure access in the most remote environments and investing in new entertainment platforms including gaming, catering to the tastes of all our personnel.  

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:  

BFBS are at the heart of service life, providing our personnel with access to secure, trusted entertainment, ranging from live football matches to the latest movie releases, and keeping our people engaged in Forces life from gaming to developing news. 

This 10-year contract renewal demonstrates our long-term commitment to our people – and will ensure they have media access relevant to their needs, devices and interests, wherever they serve. Our message to our Armed Forces community is clear: this government is on your side.

The contract builds on more than eight decades of BFBS’s dedication to connecting and entertaining the UK Armed Forces, bringing continued value for money. As a registered charity, BFBS is uniquely positioned to secure content partnerships that would not typically be achievable through commercial procurement. For example, their premium overseas television lineup — including movies, series and major live sport bring our personnel a huge morale boost and a vital connection to home life.  

Ben Chapman, BFBS CEO said:   

We are very excited to announce this new contract with the MOD, and to fulfil our mission of uniting the UK Armed Forces and their families with trusted, creative media experiences for the next decade.   

We are living in complex geopolitical times, with Defence at the top of the global agenda, and never has the media landscape been more disrupted. BFBS plays a vital role in supporting the operational readiness and welfare of our military wherever they are serving, and we help to maintain a healthy democracy by ensuring that all those who serve our country have access to trusted, relevant, and secure media.”  

The commitment to extend this service is part of Government’s wider efforts to strengthen the Offer for our Armed Forces personnel, including landmark action to buy back and renew nearly 40,000 military family homes, a new childcare scheme saving eligible forces families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland up to £6,000 per year per child by reimbursing early years childcare costs, and the establishment of a new, independently-appointed Armed Forces Commissioner with the power to investigate issues raised directly by personnel and their families. 

About BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service)   

• BFBS is a military charity and media organisation that entertains, informs, connects, and champions the UK Armed Forces.    
• They help to keep people in touch, building morale among the Forces wherever they serve, offering them a way to share experiences with other personnel, as well as a valuable connection to life back home.     
• BFBS bring trusted and secure entertainment, news, sport, and information services to the military, their families, and veterans worldwide. With their first broadcast in 1943, BFBS have been providing our service personnel with access to some of their favourite television shows and movies for over 80 years, helping them stay connected with home and keeping them up to date on the latest news, entertainment and sport fixtures.  
• They currently provide up to 16 core channels on the BFBS TV set top box with 30+ channels live and on demand on the BFBS TV Player for those based overseas.  
• See bfbs.com for the latest global Defence news and stories.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 April 2026.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford marked the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, honouring those affected and stressing the enduring human and environmental consequences, while warning that Russia’s war against Ukraine has revived acute nuclear safety risks across the OSCE region.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

As the Ukrainian Ambassador has noted, this Sunday marks the fortieth anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, one of the most devastating nuclear disasters in history. And it is right that we pause to remember those who lost their lives, to honour the courage of the first responders and health workers, and to reflect on the profound and lasting human and environmental consequences of the disaster.

Forty years on, Chornobyl remains a powerful symbol of loss. Entire communities were displaced and lives were permanently altered. The health, social and environmental effects extended far beyond the immediate vicinity of the site and continue to affect people across borders and generations. These human realities must remain at the heart of our commemoration.

Chornobyl was also a turning point for the international community. It exposed the catastrophic consequences of secrecy, weak governance and the failure to uphold safety norms. In response, States strengthened nuclear safety standards, reinforced emergency preparedness, and deepened international cooperation. Above all, Chornobyl made clear that nuclear safety is indivisible. An accident in one place can have consequences far beyond national borders.

That lesson is as relevant today as it was in 1986. As we mark this anniversary, we cannot ignore that nuclear safety risks in the OSCE area have once again become acute owing to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. Power disruptions, security challenges and physical damage across Ukraine’s nuclear facilities serve as stark reminders of how fragile even well-established safety arrangements can be when basic norms are ignored.

The conditions required for nuclear safety, stability, transparency, professional operation and respect for international frameworks cannot be taken for granted. When safety norms and international law are disregarded, the risks of miscalculation and escalation grow, with potentially severe and lasting consequences.

Mr Chair, the OSCE’s concept of security recognises that military, environmental and human security are deeply interconnected. Nuclear safety sits squarely within this framework. It depends on strong institutions, transparency, cooperation, and respect for sovereignty and international obligations.

The fortieth anniversary of Chornobyl is therefore more than a moment of remembrance. It is a call for vigilance, responsibility and resolve. By honouring those affected by Chornobyl, we reaffirm our shared duty to uphold the principles that protect us all – now and in the future.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 April 2026.

Ambassador Neil Holland recalls the vital contribution of media freedom to security in the OSCE region, and calls on Russia, Belarus and others to live up to their OSCE commitments.

Thank you, Chair. Welcome back to the Permanent Council Jan and thank you for your report.   

The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its commitment to media freedom around the world, recognising the vital role that journalists play in upholding human rights, supporting accountable governance, and protecting democracy. As the Moldovan President Maia Sandu put it, “Peace cannot survive without information integrity, and democracies cannot survive without those who protect it.”   

No one country has all the answers in the face of a rapidly changing media landscape. That is why the UK remains a strong supporter of your mandate here at the OSCE. The UK is convinced that a well-informed global public is more resilient to disinformation and information manipulation, and better equipped to hold power to account. That is as true in 2026 as it was in 1975, when our predecessors agreed to improve cross-border access to information and journalists’ working conditions as part of the negotiations on the Third Basket.  

I fully agree with your assessment that media freedom is thus a necessary condition for peace and security, not a peripheral or second order issue. This is particularly evident in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, where the information environment – including the safety of journalists – has become a central dimension of the conflict. 

The UK remains deeply concerned by the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. UN and ODIHR reporting documents killings, injuries, arbitrary detention and other serious violations against journalists, as well as sustained attacks on civilian infrastructure essential to the work of independent media.   

Inside both Russia and Belarus, systematic and deliberate repression aims to silence dissenting voices, criminalise journalism and shut down independent media outlets. Such internal repression enables external aggression by hollowing out domestic accountability, distorting the information environment and undermining regional security. It therefore stands in absolute contradiction to the principles and commitments agreed by all 57 OSCE participating States.   

The UK is also concerned by developments in Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and Serbia.  We call on all OSCE participating States to engage with your office and to safeguard freedom of expression as well as free and independent media.     

Representative, dear Jan, earlier this year the UK joined Finland as Co-Chair of the Media Freedom Coalition. Our priorities as Co-Chair include supporting public interest media, technology and media freedom, and the safety of journalists including the specific risks faced by women journalists. We are grateful to you and your team for your longstanding work on these areas and look forward to working closely with you and your office to advance media freedom and hence the shared security of the OSCE region.    

Thank you Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 April 2026.

Ambassador Holland condemned Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, denounced recent Russian threats and intimidation at the OSCE, reaffirmed the UK’s continued military support for Ukraine, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of unlawfully detained OSCE Special Monitoring Mission members.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

The UK remains steadfast in its condemnation of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, and of the broader pattern of behaviour that continues to undermine security, stability, and the principles on which this Organisation is founded.

Firstly I want to join my colleagues in condemning the threats made by the Russian Federation at last week’s meeting. This reflects a familiar attempt to intimidate and deter those who support Ukraine’s right to defend itself against an illegal and unprovoked invasion. It will not work.

The Russian state characterises international support for Ukraine’s defence against its deadly attacks as an escalation of the conflict – a claim that is unfounded and aimed at deflecting from its own actions. Our support for Ukraine, and readiness to defend ourselves, is lawful and necessary in response to Russia’s continued aggression. And in this regard I wish to associate the UK with the statement delivered by my French colleague today in its entirety.

Our common security is best protected not through threats, but through adherence to the shared principles set out in the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act — respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The UK and our partners stand firmly behind those principles. It is Russia that is violating them, systematically and flagrantly, through its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

The UK will not be deterred. The UK will continue to provide the military assistance Ukraine needs, for as long as it needs it.

Mr Chair, Russia’s disregard for agreed rules and commitments is also evident in its continued treatment of this Organisation and its personnel. This month marks four years since our colleagues from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine – Dmytro Shabanov, Vadym Golda and Maxim Petrov – were unlawfully detained by Russia and its proxies. They were detained while carrying out duties mandated by this Council, under a mission established by consensus, including by the Russian Federation. Their continued detention remains a clear breach of OSCE commitments.

Once again, the UK calls for their immediate and unconditional release. Their detention is not a marginal issue. It forms part of a broader pattern of obstructing independent observation, rejecting accountability, and weakening the institutions designed to reduce risk and build security across the OSCE area.

The OSCE exists to promote security through transparency, restraint and respect for agreed rules. Russia’s actions towards this Organisation run directly counter to those principles. And until Russia chooses compliance over obstruction and accountability over denial, its actions will continue to undermine trust in this Council and in the commitments we have all undertaken.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

This breadth of UN engagement on Syria underlines the importance of the timely movement of the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria to Damascus, as a step towards further improved UN and international support to Syria.

I will make three points.

First, the UK was pleased to host Syrian President al-Sharaa during his visit to London on 31 March. 

This was a significant moment in deepening the relationship between our two countries, which will enable us to make further progress on issues that are pivotal to Syria’s stability, including securing the enduring defeat of Daesh and supporting Syria’s economic recovery.

In this spirit, I also welcome the newly established Breath of Freedom Taskforce that will work on the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria.  

The UK is proud to be a member of the Taskforce and to have announced over $9.5 million of additional funding in direct support of Syrian-led destruction activity during President al-Sharaa’s visit.

 Second, efforts to integrate North-East Syria into the Syrian state are welcome. 

This includes the appointment of Sipan Hamo to Deputy Minister of Defence, and recent prisoner exchanges.

We look forward to continued momentum towards the full integration of military and civil structures, which is essential to help strengthen Syria’s institutions and support social cohesion. 

The completion of all outstanding elections and the formal convening of Syria’s People’s Assembly will be a crucial next step for the political transition.

Finally, we have seen recent positive examples of strengthened collaboration to address ongoing humanitarian needs and move towards longer term recovery. 

This includes the joint visit of USG Fletcher and UNDP Administrator De Croo to Syria, the launch of the UN Humanitarian Response Plan, as well as the Syrian Government’s Statement of Recovery Priorities for International Cooperation. 

The UK will continue to help meet these needs, including for those affected by recent flooding. 

Maintaining safe and unimpeded humanitarian access across all of Syria remains essential to ensure the UN and partners can deliver vital assistance. 

Colleagues, it’s welcome that Syria has remained relatively unaffected by the ongoing regional conflict. Still, we urge the international community to remain focused on supporting progress towards Syria’s economic recovery and long-term stability.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

I will focus on three elements that are central to the current situation in Libya. Firstly economic governance, then sovereign resources, then migrants and refugees, and then I’ll look at the way forward.

First, the United Kingdom welcomes the milestone agreement on a unified budget reached on 11 April. 

This provides the opportunity to improve economic governance across Libya and strengthen the independence of its financial institutions. 

We welcome US efforts to facilitate this agreement and urge all parties to implement the budget in full.

We encourage all Libyan stakeholders to use this milestone confidence‑building measure, both to help rebuild trust between institutions and across political divides. 

We urge all sides to engage constructively and overcome the obstacles to progressing the SRSG’s roadmap. 

We reiterate our firm commitment to an inclusive political process, facilitated by the UN, which works towards national elections and safeguards Libya’s unity, sovereignty, and stability.

Second, this Council’s recent renewal of the Libya sanctions regime demonstrates our collective commitment to safeguarding Libya’s sovereign resources. 

Strengthened measures to prevent oil smuggling, alongside continued protections for frozen assets, will help ensure that Libya’s wealth is preserved for the long‑term benefit of the Libyan people. 

We call on all Libyan stakeholders to respect the independence of Libya’s institutions, including the National Oil Corporation and Central Bank of Libya, in order to ensure they can work without interference or politicisation.

Third, we remain deeply concerned by the situation of migrants and refugees in Libya, including reports of trafficking, abuse, and informal detention. 

We welcome the authorities’ ongoing cooperation with international partners, including on voluntary returns. But we urge continued efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and close informal detention centres to strengthen protection of migrants and refugees, uphold human rights, and support safe and dignified returns.

In conclusion, President, inaction is not an option. 

The Libyan people continue to seek unified governance that can provide security, stability, and opportunity. 

We urge all parties to prioritise citizens’ interests, to engage seriously with the SRSG’s roadmap in line with this Council’s Press Statement of 3 March, and to support a credible political process that can deliver enduring peace and shared prosperity.