Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2024.

States’ obligations on the role of the family in supporting human rights of its members. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Vice-President and dignitaries, for your opening remarks.

The United Kingdom is pleased to be joining this important panel discussion marking the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.

It is clear this commemoration reflects our common commitments to promoting and protecting all human rights of all individuals within the family unit, bringing us one step closer to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The United Kingdom recognises the importance of considering the needs of all families, no matter how they are composed, to ensure everyone can live in a loving environment with dignity and respect.

We are committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of parents, children, persons with disabilities, older persons and other family members who experience societal marginalisation, including their right to an adequate standard of living and freedom from violence and discrimination.

We look forward to further collaboration with fellow member states on this initiative going forward.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2024.

Statement by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Lebanon.

This is a moment of maximum danger.

We are on the brink. The precipice. At a few minutes to midnight.

We talk of the risk of full-scale regional war but the truth is we are already witnessing conflict on multiple fronts.

In Gaza. In the West Bank. In Lebanon. And the Red Sea.

The strikes in recent days have taken 550 lives in Lebanon.

The death of civilians, women and children.

The UN workers killed.

The Hizballah rockets that have killed Israelis are just the latest in the cycle of pain, anguish and loss.

President,

As we face the abyss, this Council has a duty to speak with one voice.

And we must say that the rockets must stop now. The air strikes must stop now. Talks must start now. With an immediate ceasefire on both sides now.

It is time to pull back from the brink.

President,

A full-blown war is not in the interests of the Israeli or the Lebanese people.

And that is why within hours of last week’s strikes I called for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel.

Since then, we’ve worked closely with the US and France to formalise a wider demand for the ceasefire and a political plan to implement it.

And at the UN in New York, the Prime Minister and I have been urging our G7 and other partners to do the same.

Our priority must be a political solution in line with Resolution 1701. It is our duty to do all we can to exert maximum diplomatic pressure so Israeli and Lebanese civilians can return to their homes. So lives can be saved. So security can return to Northern Israel and Southern Lebanon. So that daily life can begin to return.

Now let me be clear.

The United Kingdom condemns Hizballah’s attacks on Israel over the last 11 months, which have driven more than 60,000 people from their homes.

There was no justification for these attacks.

They have brought misery to ordinary people in Lebanon and Israel.

And they have done nothing to end the conflict in Gaza or secure Palestinian statehood.

And Iran, nothing justifies supplying weapons to terror groups in defiance of this Council.

We call on Tehran to use its influence and urge Hizballah to agree a ceasefire.

President,

For the people of Israel and for the people of Lebanon, a brilliant, multicultural and tolerant nation taken captive by an armed militia that puts itself before the Lebanese people, we must come together to bring this conflict to an end.

In 2006, this Council acted in the interests of peace and security. All parties need to embody that same spirit today.

By coming together, act now to bring this conflict to an end.

To stop the cycle of destruction.

To stop the loss of yet more innocent lives.

And to stop this conflict from exploding into full-blown war and open a path to peace.

That is what we need.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2024.

Rachel Kyte will support ministers to increase senior international diplomatic engagement on climate and clean energy.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Energy Secretary of State Ed Miliband have announced Rachel Kyte as the UK’s Special Representative for Climate. The role, previously left vacant for over a year, has been re-appointed under this administration as part of our ambitions to restore the UK’s role as an international leader on the climate.

Ms Kyte is Professor of Practice in Climate Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford and dean emerita of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She has extensive international climate experience with previous roles including Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change as well as Vice President for Sustainable Development at the World Bank and for Business Advisory Services at the International Finance Corporation.

The announcement was made in New York in the margins of a discussion on ‘Accelerating Deployment of Clean Power: Building a Global Clean Power Alliance’, an event hosted by the Foreign Secretary and Energy Secretary.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

We cannot address the urgency of the climate and nature crisis without coordinated global action. This government is committed to boosting the UK’s climate leadership. Rachel Kyte will bring invaluable expertise and experience as we work together with partners to drive the energy transition, support those most vulnerable to the worst impacts of the climate crisis and meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

Climate change is the defining issue of our time. The governments mission for clean power by 2030 is about protecting energy security for families and businesses at home, whilst also driving global action to provide climate security for our future generations.

Rachel’s expertise will be invaluable in unlocking climate finance and supporting countries on the front line of the crisis – backing that strong action at home with leadership on the international stage.

Rachel Kyte said:

This government is committed to reconnecting the UK to the world with climate action as a priority.  And the world is being shaped politically and economically by climate change.

This provides an opportunity to use international action to help deliver on the UK’s energy mission. And it provides challenges, not least in mobilising the financing to protect people and drive greener growth. There is no time like now for the UK to help drive action and I am excited to play my part in this new role.

The UK Special Representative for Climate role will support ministers to increase senior international diplomatic engagement on climate and clean energy, increasing UK international leadership, building influence, raising global ambition and accelerating progress on UK strategic climate objectives.

A joint role between the FCDO and DESNZ, Ms Kyte will report to both the Foreign Secretary and Energy Secretary.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2024.

Joint statement by Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the UK, USA, and Qatar.

Joint statement:

The situation between Lebanon and Israel since 8 October 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation. This is in nobody’s interest, neither of the people of Israel nor of the people of Lebanon.

It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety.

Diplomacy however cannot succeed amid an escalation of this conflict.

Thus we call for an immediate 21 day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement consistent with UNSCR 1701, and the implementation of UNSCR 2735 regarding a ceasefire in Gaza

We call on all parties, including the Governments of Israel and Lebanon, to endorse the temporary ceasefire immediately consistent with UNSCR 1701 during this period, and to give a real chance to a diplomatic settlement.

We are then prepared to fully support all diplomatic efforts to conclude an agreement between Lebanon and Israel within this period, building on efforts over the last months, that ends this crisis altogether.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2024.

• the UK has sanctioned 5 ships and 2 entities involved in the Russian Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sector
• this is the first time the UK is using its new ship specification power to target LNG vessels directly
• today’s action builds on efforts alongside allies to bear down on Russia’s attempts to bolster its future energy revenues – the most critical source of funding for Putin’s war in Ukraine

The UK has today, 26 September, taken decisive action to sanction 5 vessels and 2 associated entities involved in the shipping of Russian LNG, including from Russia’s flagship Arctic LNG 2 project.

LNG is an important source of funding for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. Russia has plans to expand its LNG revenues, aiming to grow their global LNG market share from 8% to 20%.

Earlier this year, the UK sanctioned Arctic LNG 2, alongside our allies in the US and EU. Since then, the project has been forced to slash production. Today’s action builds on this by targeting ships and entities involved in the Russian LNG sector, which engage with projects important to Russia’s future energy production.

The UK has now sanctioned 15 vessels and entities involved in the Russian LNG sector and we will continue to bear down on this important source of funding for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

The vessels sanctioned today are:

• PIONEER (IMO 9256602)
• ASYA ENERGY (IMO 9216298)
• NOVA ENERGY (IMO 9324277)
• NORTH SKY (IMO 9953523)
• SCF LA PEROUSE (IMO 9849887)

We are also sanctioning the following entities associated with the vessels:

• OCEAN SPEEDSTAR SOLUTIONS OPC – The operator and manager of PIONEER and ASYA ENERGY.
• WHITE FOX SHIP MANAGEMENT – The operator and manager of NORTH SKY

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 September 2024.

UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says the military situation is markedly different to what many expected two and a half years ago and this is a testament to the bravery and fortitude of the Ukrainian people.

Thank you, Mr Chair. The present situation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is one that the Kremlin could hardly have envisaged when it embarked on its devastating war of aggression.

Russia boasted that Ukraine would be defeated in a three-day lightning war, yet today marks two years and 219 days of this conflict. Ukraine now controls Russian territory in the Kursk Oblast. This is the first time that Russian territory has been held since the Second World War. We should be clear: this is a direct consequence of Russia’s illegal invasion and entirely consistent with Ukraine’s right to self-defence. To try and tackle this situation of its own making, Russia has been launching 50% of its glide bombs at its own territory, and on the neighbouring Sumy region of Ukraine.

Since we met last week, on the evening of 17-18 September Ukraine conducted a successful attack on the Toropets strategic ammunition depot. Renovated in 2018, this was one of Russia’s largest strategic ammunition depots supporting Russia’s operation in Ukraine and housing ammunition of varying calibres, including ammunition procured from the DPRK.

The resulting explosion recorded 2.7 on the Richter scale, equivalent to a mild earthquake. It forced Russia to declare a state of emergency, with the resulting fires 6 km wide and detectable from space. This was followed on 21 September by additional successful strikes on depots again in Toropets, and in Tikhoretsk. These Ukrainian strikes mark significant strategic setbacks for the Kremlin. The level of losses accounts for months of Russian ammunition expenditure rates.

Moreover, Russia continues its attacks on Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure in an attempt to try and break the will of the Ukrainian people. Strikes in Ukraine’s central region of Poltava cut power to 20 settlements, whilst in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, an attack on Monday killed at least one person and injured seven, amongst them a 13 year old girl and a 15 year old boy.

The military situation is markedly different to what many expected two and a half years ago and this is a testament to the bravery and fortitude of the Ukrainian people. But it is also critical that Ukraine continues to receive the support of allies and partners, diplomatically and militarily. The Kremlin would like to portray such support as a western conspiracy. But the reality is that the Russian state isolated itself from the moment it instigated an unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. Furthermore, Russia has contravened international law and misled this Forum completely.

The United Kingdom’s support to Ukraine is ironclad. To date the UK’s total military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine amounts to £12.8 billion, which includes £7.8 billion in military support. £3 billion in military aid has been pledged to Ukraine in 2024-25, a £700 million increase on 2023-24.

The gap between Russia’s expectation of a three-day operation and the 943-day reality continues to grow. The Russian state has a clear path to prevent this metric from diverging further. It must cease hostilities and withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders.  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 25 September 2024.

Government re-opens portal for British nationals in Lebanon to register their presence following deployment.

• government re-opens portal for British nationals in Lebanon to register their presence
• follows deployment of military, Border Force and Foreign office officials to Cyprus to support contingency planning
• £5 million humanitarian package will support thousands of people who have been displaced or forced to flee

The UK is sending £5 million to Lebanon to support humanitarian response efforts, where the United Nations [UNICEF] will distribute supplies to those in need.

It comes as the UK also re-opens the register your presence service to support British nationals and provide vital updates.

The UK has been calling for British nationals to leave Lebanon since October 2023. Yesterday, 700 troops, alongside Border Force and Foreign Office officials, also deployed to Cyprus to continue contingency planning for a range of scenarios in the region.

The essential humanitarian support comes after further civilian casualties following air strikes in recent hours. Thousands more have been displaced or forced to flee their homes.

The package includes essential medical supplies, hygiene kits and fuel for water stations, to help thousands of displaced civilians across Lebanon meet their basic needs.

It will also help emergency teams respond to urgent health and nutrition needs, and provide a series of training sessions for key delivery partners and frontline workers to ensure an effective emergency response.

Anneliese Dodds, Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities, said:

The situation in Lebanon is deeply concerning. While we continue to urge British nationals to leave and have launched our ‘register your presence’ portal to aid their departure, the UK will always be a strong supporter of the Lebanese people. That is why we are providing £5 million to UNICEF to support civilians who have been displaced and are facing a humanitarian emergency.

We need to see an immediate ceasefire from both sides to prevent further civilian casualties and ensure that displaced people can return to their homes.

At UNGA this week the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary emphasised the need for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah when he met G7 ministers. The UK was the first G7 country to call for an immediate ceasefire. The Foreign Secretary will deliver the UK’s intervention at the UN Security Council session on Lebanon.

Flights from Beirut continue to run, and British nationals should depart on the first available carrier.

The military teams have joined the already significant UK diplomatic and military footprint in the region, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Royal Navy ships RFA Mounts Bay and HMS Duncan, which have remained in the eastern Mediterranean to support British nationals and allies over the summer.

The Royal Air Force also have aircraft and transport helicopters on standby to provide support if necessary.

Background

• today’s funding announcement comes from pre-existing Official Development Assistance budgets and is already accounted for
• the UK is committed to supporting the most vulnerable in Lebanon, including refugees and Lebanese communities, with timely, flexible assistance to address basic needs and reduce suffering
• the UK’s bilateral humanitarian support to Lebanon this financial year (up to £21 million through the Lebanon Humanitarian Programme, including this £5 million for UNICEF) is focussed on:
  • supporting the most vulnerable refugee and Lebanese communities to meet their basic needs
  • providing essential education and child protection services to over 5,000 of the most vulnerable and marginalised out of school children and
  • supporting the Government of Lebanon to develop more inclusive, sustainable, and accountable social protection systems
• through the Lebanon Humanitarian Programme, the UK is one of the largest donors to OCHA’s Lebanon Humanitarian Fund which has allocated $14.7 million to a range of non-governmental organisations for preparedness and response to displacement
• earlier this year, a Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocation of $9 million was released to support UN partners response to the rising needs in Southern Lebanon. The UK is one of the largest donors to the CERF globally
• $2.2 million Education Cannot Wait (ECW) funding has been released to support 5,000 children affected by the crisis. The UK is the second largest donor to ECW

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 September 2024.

Statement by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP at the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Sea-Level Rise.

Can I say what a privilege it is to address this incredibly important session here at the United Nations.

I want to start by saying that in the new United Kingdom government, you have a partner that wants to show global leadership on these critical issues around the climate crisis.

And we want to show that global leadership in three ways.

First of all, we have come to this session to show solidarity with all of those states around the world that are threatened by sea-level rise.

We know the combined threats of sea-level rise, climate change and increasing extreme weather events, which disproportionately impact Small Island Developing States, and indeed other coastal states.

You are on the front line of the crisis and are leading the way to protect our oceans, and we must listen and learn from your experiences, and indeed come together to address the challenges you face.

Secondly, we have a government in the UK that is willing to tell the truth about where we are, as we all must do.

We are way off-track from where we need to be to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees, and this is something we must confront in the months and years ahead.

And thirdly, a government in the UK that is determined to lead by example, and then use that to show international leadership too.

It might interest this session to know that we won a general election on the basis of bold climate action –

a pledge not to issue new oil and gas licenses,

a pledge to decarbonise our power system by 2030,

a pledge to ensure that we had a Nationally Determined Contribution consistent with 1.5 degrees.

My pledge to you on the global stage is that we will act with the boldness that the situation demands.

We will publish our NDC well ahead of COP30 in Brazil, and it will be bold, and it will be consistent with 1.5 degrees.

We will be participants that argue for a strong and scaled-up finance goal as part of the NCQG; reform of the Multilateral Development Banks; and indeed, operationalising the Fund for Loss and Damage that was agreed last year at COP28.

The world has been waiting for too long. Now is not simply the time for bold words, it is the time for bold action.

And in the new United Kingdom government, you have a government committed to take that action in partnership with states around the world, particularly those states threatened by sea-level rise.

Thank you very much.

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

The Foreign Secretary and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina made progress on different issues regarding the South Atlantic.

Looking forward to a new era of constructive cooperation within the bilateral relationship, characterised by improved dialogue and confidence-building measures, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina, Diana Mondino, met in New York on 24 September and made progress towards a broad agenda covering different issues relating to the South Atlantic. It is agreed that the formula on the safeguards of sovereignty in paragraph 2 of the Joint Statement of 19 October 1989 applies to this agenda and its outcomes.

The Parties have agreed to resume negotiations to complete the third phase of the Humanitarian Project Plan together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, and to organise a trip to the Islands by next-of-kin of fallen soldiers before the end of 2024, so that they can visit the graves of the soldiers laid there to rest.

They also agreed on the need to take concrete steps in the area of fisheries conservation and towards improved connectivity, according to the agreements reached in 2018, including the resumption of the weekly Sao Paulo flight to the Islands that stopped once a month in Cordoba.

These steps will enable progress towards a more ambitious agenda for co-operation in different areas, under the sovereignty formula, aimed at promoting human and economic development and strengthening links between the Islands and the continent.

Both the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Mondino welcomed the steps being taken to establish an improved bilateral relationship and agreed to speak again when opportunity allowed.

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

Item 4: General Debate on the human rights situations that require the Council’s attention. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO & UN, Simon Manley.

Mr President,

Upholding the international rule of law lies at the heart of this Council, and we must call out violations wherever they occur.

The situation in Afghanistan is intolerable. The Taliban are imposing draconian controls on women and girls.

In Iran, executions have surged. Women, girls and minority groups face repression. Journalists are silenced. The Fact-Finding Mission has said violations against protestors amount to crimes against humanity. Accountability for these violations is essential.

We are of course deeply concerned over escalating human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza, including the rights to life, health and free movement. We call for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and protection of civilians.

In Xinjiang, we echo the statement made earlier by the US, while in Hong Kong, we call on the authorities to end politically motivated prosecutions, immediately release Jimmy Lai and cease attempts to apply Hong Kong law extra-territorially, including to individuals in the UK. China must uphold its human rights obligations.

Reports of continuing Russian atrocities against Ukrainians are horrifying – not least the systematic and widespread use of torture against detainees. There must be no impunity. The rule of law must prevail.