Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 September 2024.

Ambassador Holland condemns the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia, which will be used to wreak further misery on Ukrainian civilians as part of its illegal war.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Last week the Russian Federation called one of its more hypocritical UN Security Council meetings, this time on ‘western weapons transfers to Ukraine’.  This was the cynical use of the Council to criticise support for a sovereign state to exercise its legitimate and legal right to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression.

But in making these accusations, Russia succeeded only in highlighting its own double standards and disinformation – the hallmarks of its malign actions on our continent and beyond.  Because just days before the meeting, we learned that Russia had taken delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles.  This transfer poses a direct threat to European security just like those Russia received from DPRK, which took place in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.

There is a critical difference between the two situations, which Russia neglects to acknowledge. In one, weapons are being supplied to a sovereign State, Ukraine, to give it the means to defend itself in accordance with international law.  In another, weapons are being sent to a state, Russia, which is aggressively waging war against its neighbour which violates the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.  And what is more, these weapons are being used to wreak misery on Ukrainian civilians.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported nearly 12,000 deaths and close to 25,000 injuries among civilians since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion began.  The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported a spike in civilian deaths and injuries over the last two months, making them the deadliest months so far of 2024.

Madam chair, we condemn in the strongest terms the shelling of a frontline aid distribution site on 12 September that resulted in the deaths of three members of staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross.  It is essential that International Humanitarian Law is respected and that aid workers can do their jobs, providing help to the most vulnerable.

The UK also condemns the Russian strike on a civilian cargo ship carrying Ukrainian grain in the Black Sea on 11 September.  Such attacks pose a genuine threat to global food security.

Madam Chair, as my Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary made clear last week, the UK’s ironclad support for Ukraine’s right to self-defence will not waver in the face of Russian threats and hypocrisy.  Russia started this war by illegally invading Ukraine.  It could end it immediately by withdrawing.  Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

The UK requested this Council meeting following alarming reports of escalation around El Fasher. I would like to make three points.

First, we strongly condemn the Rapid Support Forces’ assault on El Fasher. We call on the RSF to halt its siege of the area and for an immediate end to the fighting. Aerial bombardments, shelling and other combat activity by the warring parties have resulted in yet further displacement and destruction of critical infrastructure.

We also call on states to refrain from enhancing either side’s fighting capability. All Member States have a responsibility to uphold the arms embargo which this Council renewed just last week.

Second, it is imperative that the warring parties uphold their obligations under international law and that there is accountability for violations. The escalation around El Fasher clearly contravenes resolution 2736 agreed by this Council in June.

We must continue to send a clear message to the warring parties that we are watching closely. We also note the work underway by the Secretary-General to produce recommendations for the protection of civilians. Events in El Fasher emphasise the importance of this work.

Third, President, we underscore our concern at the humanitarian impact of the violence across Sudan and its destabilising effect on the region. Over 10 million people have already been displaced. A new wave of violence, as we’ve heard, will exacerbate this even further.

The recent re-opening of the Adre border crossing is an important step, but humanitarian access still desperately needs to be scaled up – both cross-border and across conflict lines.

We must also ensure that access is not slowed down by bureaucratic impediments. President, we once again call on both warring parties to return to negotiations in good faith and to stop this senseless violence now.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2024.

Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, on the UN General Assembly resolution on the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories – Wednesday 18 September 2024.

The United Kingdom has abstained on today’s resolution.

The United Kingdom has done so not because we do not support the central findings of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion but rather because the resolution does not provide sufficient clarity to effectively advance our shared aim of a peace premised on a negotiated two-state solution: a safe and secure Israel alongside a safe and secure Palestinian state.

As a state committed to the international rule of law, we respect the Court and call for states to unite around renewed efforts towards a negotiated settlement, in accordance with international law and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. We stand ready to work with other Member States on future resolutions before the General Assembly and in the Security Council, seeking to fashion a broad consensus on the way forward, with re-energised determination to accelerate the path to peace.

While our abstention reflects our unwavering determination to focus on efforts to bring about a peaceful and negotiated two-state solution, the United Kingdom aims, by this statement, to indicate our clear view that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as rapidly as possible. And every effort must be made to create the conditions for negotiations which provide for a sovereign, viable and free Palestine, alongside a safe, secure and free Israel, recognising the security concerns and right to self-defence of each one. We must also work towards the reunification of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza in line with 1967 borders and under the effective control of the Palestinian Authority, as a fundamental step towards a two-state solution.

Turning now to address settlements in particular, the United Kingdom is gravely concerned by Israel’s continued actions which undermine prospects for peace. Expansion of settlements, in clear violation of international law, must cease immediately. There have been unprecedented levels of violence by extremist settlers over the past year.

We have witnessed with grave concern how an increasing number of residents of illegal Israeli settlements and outposts have systematically used harassment, intimidation and violence to put pressure on Palestinian communities to leave their land. We call on Israel to hold those responsible to account.

Alongside our partners, the UK has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for these acts. We continue to track closely these acts of violence and where appropriate the UK will seek to extend sanctions. We are clear. Any efforts to change the geographic or demographic make-up of the Occupied Palestinian Territories through force and outside a negotiated settlement are illegal.

President, the situation in Gaza continues to subject Palestinian civilians to horrendous suffering, and over 100 hostages remain held by Hamas in abhorrent conditions. We need to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages.

We will continue to work urgently to help bring peace and galvanise a political process towards a two-state solution which provides long-term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2024.

Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

First and foremost, the UK unequivocally condemns the so-called “vice and virtue” law issued by the Taliban. As my Foreign Secretary said, this law marks another tragic setback for the country, and for its people.

The international community must speak in one voice in our total opposition to the Taliban’s continued assault on human rights. We call on the Taliban to immediately reverse these abhorrent policies and ensure the fundamental freedoms of all Afghans.

The UK is unwavering in our support to Afghan women, and to providing platforms for their voices to be heard. We are pleased to co-host a UN General Assembly side event later today that will shine a spotlight on Afghan women and girls in the fight against food insecurity.

Second, we call on the UN to drive forward progress on Security Council Resolution 2721. This includes the urgent appointment of a Special Envoy.

But let us be clear, the Taliban cannot expect the international community to move forward on the UN process without first meeting their international obligations on the fundamental freedoms of women and girls, political inclusion, and counter terrorism.

Finally, the international community needs to step up the humanitarian response in Afghanistan, which remains only 30% funded.

As the latest Secretary General report set out, 23.7 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2024. 12.4 million people are acutely food insecure and 6.6 million people remain internally displaced. The recent Taliban restrictions will only make this appalling situation worse for Afghanistan’s most marginalised and most vulnerable.

Since 2021, the UK has provided over $800 million to address the humanitarian crisis. We urge others to take similar steps to alleviate the suffering of Afghan people.

We remain committed to working constructively with parties inside and outside of Afghanistan for an Afghanistan at peace with itself, its neighbours, and the international community.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2024.

UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says Russia’s illegal war suffers further setbacks as casualties mount, and it loses its first submarine in combat since the second world war.

Thank you, Mr Chair. As we meet for the first regular session of this trimester, I want to reflect on the current military situation regarding Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine. It is now 2 years and 212 days since Russia conducted its full-scale invasion, a military action which Russia envisaged would be over in a matter of days. In that context, the current predicament can be construed as nothing less than a military disaster for the Kremlin.

Since we last convened in a regular FSC session, Ukraine now controls up to 900 square kilometres of Russian territory in the Kursk Oblast. Ukraine has a clear right of self-defence against Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and barbaric invasion, and its actions are demonstrative of the ability of Ukraine’s armed forces to achieve strategic surprise and expose Russian weaknesses.

At the military level, Ukraine’s effective use of manoeuvre warfare stands in stark contrast to Russia’s ‘meat grinder’ tactics. Russian casualties averaged 1187 a day in August. Contrast this to the daily rate of 544 Russian casualties in August last year, and 236 for the same month in 2022 and it paints a bleak picture for Russia’s military. Even more starkly, Russia has now lost more than 610,000 casualties (killed and wounded) in the prosecution of its illegal campaign.

In the maritime domain, the campaign is faring little better for Russia. Despite having a considerably smaller maritime component, Ukraine has pushed much of the Russian navy eastwards from Crimea. Ukraine has damaged or destroyed a quarter of the Russian black sea fleet. This includes the destruction of the ‘Rostov-on-Don’, a $300M Russian submarine which was lost to Ukrainian action on 3 August, marking the first combat loss of a Russian submarine since the second world war. As in the land domain, this loss is a stunning Russian military failure.

Russia’s illegal campaign was instigated without justification. This forum met repeatedly, prior to the full-scale invasion, in an effort to avert this deliberate act of aggression. As expected, the consequences of these actions have been a tragedy, but perhaps less expected, for none more so than Russia itself.

Russia’s response so far has been to double down. It has turned to Iran and North Korea for the provision of weaponry as its own economy adopts a war footing, increasingly twisting it out of shape. Russia’s continued negotiation of deals for significant quantities of weapons from DPRK violates many UN Security Council resolutions, including ones that Russia itself voted for. Russia has also now procured ballistic missiles from Iran for the first time, representing a significant escalation that will only increase the suffering of Ukrainian civilians. Russia continues to issue threats, constructing a false narrative against NATO and the EU to suggest they are in some way responsible for Russia’s own illegal choices. Nobody compelled Russia to start this war and most participating states in this forum went to extraordinary efforts to try and prevent such a catastrophic course of action.

If Russia wants peace, there is a simple way to end this ongoing pattern of destruction. Russia must cease hostilities in Ukraine and remove its forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory. The United Kingdom, alongside its partners, will continue in its enduring support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2024.

Mr Andrew Murdoch has been appointed Governor of Bermuda in succession to Ms Rena Lalgie. Mr Murdoch will take up his appointment during January 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Andrew Murdoch

2016 to Present	FCDO, Legal Director and Director of Ocean Policy
2015 to 2016	FCO, Legal Director, International Institutions and Security Policy, Legal Directorate
2011 to 2014	FCO, Senior Assistant Legal Adviser, International Institutions and Security Policy, Legal Directorate
2009 to 2011	Royal Navy, Commander, Head of Operations, Directorate of Naval Legal Services
2008 to 2009	Royal Navy, Commander, Coalition Maritime Force Legal Adviser, Bahrain
2006 to 2008	Royal Navy, Lieutenant Commander/Commander, Deputy and then Fleet Legal Adviser
2004 to 2005	Royal Navy, Lieutenant Commander, Higher Authority Legal Adviser
2003 to 2004	Royal Navy, Lieutenant Commander, Logistics Officer HMS YORK
2001 to 2002	Royal Navy, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief Naval Judge Advocate
1998 to 2001	Royal Navy, Lieutenant, Legal Training as Barrister
1990 to 1998	Royal Navy, Midshipman to Lieutenant, Deputy Logistics Officer HMS CAMPBELTOWN and naval career prior to legal training

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2024.

• the Foreign Secretary will visit Norwegian Joint Headquarters with Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to discuss deepening UK-Norway security collaboration
• the ministers will reinforce both countries’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine and tackling threats from Russia including their Shadow Fleet
• they will discuss the UK and Norway’s joint work in the High North to detect, deter and contain threats and defend NATO’s northern flank

Foreign Secretary David Lammy will commit to strengthening UK-Norway defence and security cooperation on a visit to Norwegian Joint Headquarters with Foreign Minister Barth Eide today [18 September].

During the Foreign Secretary’s visit, he will reaffirm both countries’ commitment to Ukraine, particularly through military support to boost their defence capabilities. They will also discuss efforts to tackle Russia’s shadow fleet, cutting the flow of illicit funds to Putin’s war chest following on from UK sanctions.

Norway and the UK have a long history of defence and security collaboration especially in the High North. Norway has hosted British Armed Forces’ Arctic training for over 50 years, and over 4,000 UK troops will visit Norway in the next 6 months for winter training and military exercises.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

With the return of war to the European continent, the UK’s relationship with Norway, as a key ally in the defence of NATO’s northern flank, has never been more important.

We are both unwavering in our support to Ukraine, and together we are training and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces including boosting the country’s air defence and maritime capabilities.

Norway acts as our eyes and ears in the High North; our joint work at the Norwegian military headquarters underlines the importance of our work to bolster Europe’s defences.

Euro-Atlantic security is this government’s foreign and defence priority.

In the face of Russia’s sustained malign influence campaigns, and its recent baseless expulsion of British diplomats, the UK and Norway will agree to enhance intelligence-sharing and cooperation to counter Russian disinformation networks in Europe and beyond.

The Foreign Secretary will welcome Norway’s navy patrols of the waters between the UK and the Russian Northern Fleet, detecting, deterring and managing increasingly sophisticated subsea threats to energy, security and critical national infrastructure.

Norway is an important ally on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, especially when it comes to ongoing conflict in Gaza. The UK and Norway are also focused on ensuring joint ambition on development truly delivers for global partners.

Norway is also a key trading partner in supplying the UK with the energy it needs to power growth. That is why the UK and Norwegian Prime Ministers agreed in July to begin work on a new Norwegian-UK partnership on security and the energy transition.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, begins her first visit to southeast Asia in Singapore.

• Deepening economic ties and climate collaboration focus on UK Indo-Pacific Minister’s first Southeast Asia visit
• Minister West will set out the new UK government’s approach to foreign policy, growth and climate at the Milken Institute Asia Summit 2024 with government and business leaders
• Speaking to a meeting of Singapore-based semiconductor firms, the Minister will highlight the link between resilient supply chains and economic growth

Securing sustainable economic growth, resilient supply chains and climate action are at the forefront as UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West begins her first visit to southeast Asia today (17 September).

In Singapore, Minister West will join government and industry leaders from across the region at influential policy forum the Milken Institute Asia Summit, where she will set out the new UK government’s ambition to work with partners in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific to address global challenges and support economic growth. This includes through the UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership, launched in September 2023, which is deepening cooperation on trade and investment, defence and security and science and tech.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister West said:

My message to Singapore and partners in the Indo-Pacific is this: the UK is open for business. We know that our relationships in this region are essential to our future prosperity.

Secure economic growth relies on us working with partners to tackle the greatest challenges of this century, including the climate crisis and other threats to global security – so that is exactly what this government will do.

Aligning with Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s pledge to build a Global Clean Power Alliance to tackle the pressing climate crisis, the Minister will visit British-built Marina Barrage, an example of UK-supported infrastructure mitigating the impact of climate change. Attending the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association Summit, she will set out the government’s ambition to increase UK-Singapore cooperation on the research and development of critical tech including AI and quantum computing.

Following her visit to Singapore, Minister West will travel to Thailand on 19-20 September for discussions with the new Thai government.

Notes to editors

• The Marina Barrage sits across the Marina Channel and was used to create Singapore’s 15th freshwater reservoir. The barrage was designed by UK civil engineering firm Binnies and the reservoir by British engineers Mott MacDonald.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

The UK government today has announced up to £1.9 million in funding to strengthen science, technology and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria through its West Africa Research and Innovation Hub.

The Sankore call for proposals will support the UK government’s partnership with governments in Ghana and Nigeria on Science, Technology and Innovation, facilitate commercialisation of innovative solutions, improve innovation policy and enhance government digital service delivery.

Named after a medieval centre of learning in West Africa, Sankore will support the implementation of the UK-Ghana Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy. It will promote collaborative work between universities, research centres and the private sector, and help turn new ideas into useful products for industry and support projects that fit with Ghana’s tech goals.

Launching a call for proposals at a press conference in Accra, Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa, said:

This initiative is all about how we can work together to strengthen the global technology sector, creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies with lots of potential to compete on the world stage. The Sankore grant fosters partnerships at its heart, with a strong message that we go far when we go together.

Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford said:

Sankore will serve as a financing vehicle to catalyse the implementation of the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy. This initiative is one of many initiatives the Ministry with the support of the UK Government intends to bridge the funding gap for Ghana’s Technological Innovation. We are happy to partner key actors in the innovation ecosystem to drive the economic transformation in Ghana through ST&I.

British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson added: > The launch of Sankore sends a clear message: the UK sees enormous value in partnering with African countries on science, technology and innovation, and we are committed to bringing those partnerships to life. This grant will further strengthen our existing partnerships on science, tech and innovation, in line with our joint the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

UK Statement for the Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances. Delivered at the 57th HRC in Geneva.

Mr Vice President, the United Kingdom would like to thank the Working Group for its report and for the insights provided.

The UK strongly condemns all instances of enforced disappearance; they are clear violations of human rights. As we know, this issue deeply affects the families of victims and leaves a lasting impact on their communities, as well as damaging and undermining the effectiveness of the rule of law.

We share concerns outlined in the report that limited records of disappearances do not accurately reflect the actual numbers of enforced disappearances in States, and that victims are likely to become subject to inhuman treatment and torture.

We must collectively advocate for increased global engagement to eradicate instances of these grave human rights violations.

The UK urges states to fully investigate all allegations of enforced disappearance and prosecute those responsible to provide justice for victims and their families. We must remain committed to promoting and protecting the rule of law internationally.

Members of the Working Group,

What tools for recording and raising allegations to the Working Group can be made readily available to those involved in investigating cases of enforced disappearances?