Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 May 2024.

British High Commission announces £850,000 funding uplift to support flood relief efforts in Kenya.

• The funding will enable flood relief efforts by UNICEF across Kenya with a focus on the most affected counties including Nairobi, Tana River, Garissa, Lamu, Busia, Migori and Homabay.
• Flood relief will include the provision of cash assistance, WASH, health and nutrition services through integrated outreaches to displaced families.

The British High Commission Nairobi has announced an emergency funding uplift of over KES 140 million to support flood relief efforts in Kenya.

In the wake of devastating flooding across the country, the funding will go to UNICEF for emergency humanitarian relief to those most impacted by the extreme weather. The funding will enable the provision of cash assistance to approximately 6,900 households in the most affected counties. UNICEF will also provide urgently needed health, nutrition and sanitation services through integrated outreaches which includes the provision of safe water for drinking, temporary sanitation facilities, and hygiene kits to families displaced by the floods. UNICEF will also step-up its cholera prevention interventions to ensure the health and well-being of those affected are maintained and help prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Shaheen Nilofer, UNICEF Kenya Representative, said:

“When emergencies hit, children are the most affected and they are our first priority. Through the support of the British High Commission, we will be able to provide emergency cash transfers and other essential services to the most affected families to help them cope with the effects of the heavy rains and flooding. We are grateful for the strong support of our donors as we work with the government and other partners in the flood response.”

Speaking about the emergency uplift, British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, said:

The situation facing many Kenyans as a result of recent extreme weather and flooding is heart-breaking.

This urgent funding from the UK will help alleviate the suffering of those displaced and impacted by the crisis. We stand with Kenya in this emergency and continue to work closely with UNICEF, the Government of Kenya and other partners to do what we can to support the response.

In recent months, UK support to Kenya has already enabled much-needed cash assistance to 1,800 families in Tana River County, as well as healthcare and sanitation services.

Notes to Editors

• You can follow UK activity in Kenya on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UKinKenya) and at www.gov.uk/world/kenya/news
• In addition to the £850,000 uplift for the flood response, the UK has contributed £3.4 million to UNICEF in the past year to support humanitarian relief efforts, bringing its total contribution to £4.3 million.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 May 2024.

The UK and Saudi Arabia set to significantly increase cooperation on joint humanitarian and development programmes around the world.

• the UK and Saudi Arabia set to significantly increase cooperation on joint humanitarian and development programmes around the world
• this partnership, which has already committed to a total of $22 million of joint funding, will today be further boosted by $5 million to combat rising levels of malnutrition in Somalia
• the new funding will be announced during second UK-Saudi Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Aid and International Development in Riyadh today (6 May) and is the next step in a partnership which is going from strength to strength

The UK and Saudi Arabia will boost support for people living in conflict-hit areas by significantly increasing joint projects addressing some of the biggest international development and humanitarian crises.

As part of this ongoing partnership, the Deputy Foreign Secretary and HE Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and Adviser to the Royal Court will today announce a further $5 million to combat rising malnutrition levels in Somalia through UNICEF.

The funding will support more than 50,000 children providing water, sanitation and hygiene services to vulnerable Somalian women and children.

The announcement will be in made in Riyadh today as part of the second annual UK-Saudi Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Aid and International Development. Discussion points at the dialogue will include providing more aid into Gaza and encouraging progress towards peace in Sudan.

The UK and Saudi Arabia have already committed to a total of $22 million of joint funding, which is already delivering vital assistance, providing famine relief and humanitarian support in Somalia and Sudan.

Further cooperation is expected with joint humanitarian and development projects in Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Ukraine. The programmes will be delivered through KSrelief and the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kingdom’s primary aid and development agencies.

Deputy Foreign Secretary and Minister of State (Development and Africa), Andrew Mitchell, said:

The UK is working with Saudi Arabia and other partners to support those whose lives have been affected by conflict around the world.

I am delighted to be in Riyadh to agree a way forward to scale up significantly joint funding which will go a long way to supporting those people and communities who need it most, building on today’s announcement in Somalia and looking to further support people in Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, as well the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

I also discussed the need to bring the conflict in Gaza to a sustainable end with my Saudi partners. The UK remains focused on achieving an immediate pause in the fighting, securing the release of hostages, and ensuring aid reaches those who need it.

Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and Adviser to the Royal Court, HE Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, said:

Looking ahead, we look forward to enhancing our technical experience and capacity-building by building upon the strong foundation established during our previous dialogue, which presents an invaluable opportunity to solidify our future direction, explore new areas of cooperation, and further demonstrate the transformative potential of our partnership.

Officials from both sides are actively identifying promising opportunities for further collaboration. KSrelief sees immense potential to leverage our respective strengths in areas like health interventions, education infrastructure development, and livelihood creation programmes.

The Deputy Foreign Secretary will also sign a Joint Cooperation Agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development to strengthen cooperation on development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Development Dialogue demonstrates the UK development white paper in action, working with a broader range of development partners to deliver joint programmes, working together to improve the effectiveness of aid, and mobilising the vital funding needed to meet development needs globally.

During the visit, the Minister is also expected to meet with the Vice Foreign Minister HE Eng. Waleed Al Khuraiji, Deputy Foreign Minister and Climate Envoy, HE Adel Al Jubeir, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development HE Sultan Al Marshad, and Assistant Finance Minister and G20 Sherpa HE Abdulmuhsen Al Khalaf.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 May 2024.

Justin Addison, Second Secretary at the UK Delegation to the OSCE, addresses the OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Forum First Preparatory Meeting.

The UK would like to thank the chair for dedicating a session to this theme, which is timely. Food production and agriculture cause extensive nature loss and greenhouse gas emissions. Pressure is mounting to urgently develop more resilient food systems that benefit people, planet and prosperity.

The UK recognises the scale of the challenge. Our long-standing funding of CGIAR, the world’s leading agricultural science and innovation organisation, has helped millions of farmers to increase the resilience of their crops.  Our investment in the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program has helped over 18 million smallholder farming households, including across Central Asia. And our support for the Agriculture Breakthrough will accelerate development of clean technologies and sustainable solutions in the agriculture sector.

We are proud of these efforts, however we cannot forget one of the key drivers of food insecurity is conflict, where innovative policies and technical fixes are wholly insufficient.

One of the tragic results of Russia’s unjustified and illegal invasion of Ukraine has been the impacts on global food security. Over two years of war have seen agriculture costs increase, while landmines have reduced the amount of land available to farm.

Since intentionally causing the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative last year, Russia has systematically attacked Ukrainian civilian grain and port infrastructure, clearly intending to degrade Ukraine’s ability to export food.

In response, the UK has worked closely with Ukraine and others to ensure Ukraine can continue to export its grain. We have worked with Ukraine to secure the temporary maritime corridor, including by providing equipment and preventing and deterring Russian attacks. The ‘Unity Facility’, developed by Ukraine and a UK-based insurer, has been key in reducing insurance premiums for commercial shipping using the corridor.

Chair, the world needs a free and a safe Ukraine. Then it can return to helping supply the world with its food, avoiding further damage to an already fragile global economy; and innovative policies can be used to secure its sustainable development.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2024.

The UK has imposed new sanctions on extremist groups and individuals for inciting and perpetrating settler violence in the West Bank.

• further sanctions package targets those inciting and perpetrating settler violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
• new measures follow unprecedented rise in settler violence over the last year and come after a previous UK sanctions package in February

The Foreign Secretary has today announced further sanctions on extremist Israeli groups and individuals for violence in the West Bank.

Today’s package includes 2 groups known to have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as well as 4 individuals responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses against these communities.

The measures follow an unprecedented rise in settler violence in the West Bank over the last year, with the UN recording at least 800 incidents since October.

Hilltop Youth, one of the groups sanctioned today, is a hardline nationalist Israeli youth group which establishes illegal settler outposts across the West Bank with the stated mission of expelling all Palestinians from the Occupied Territories. Lehava is also sanctioned today for facilitating, inciting, and promoting violence against Arab and Palestinian communities.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said:

Extremist settlers are undermining security and stability and threatening prospects for peace.

This latest package of sanctions targets 2 groups leading these attacks, and 4 individuals who are directly responsible for egregious violence against Palestinian civilians.

The Israeli authorities must clamp down on those responsible. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if needed, including through further sanctions.

The 4 individuals sanctioned today for egregious human rights abuses against Palestinian communities are:

• Noam Federman: a radical settler activist and former leader and spokesperson of the now-defunct Kach party, that espoused overtly racist and violent policies. He has trained settler groups to commit acts of violence against Palestinians and how to avoid repercussions from the Israeli state
• Neria Ben Pazi: is responsible for illegally constructing 3 illegal outposts between 2015 and 2023 and has supported and participated in acts of violence and displacement of Bedouin and Palestinian communities in the West Bank
• Eden Levi: has been documented on multiple occasions as taking part in assaults and intimidation of Palestinians, as part of a wider intimidation campaign aiming to drive their population out of the area. As recently as 12 October 2023, he was involved in an incident during which Palestinian villagers were beaten and sexually assaulted
• Elisha Yered: is an unofficial spokesperson for Hilltop Youth. He has a history of making inflammatory statements inciting religious hatred and violence, including justifying the killing of Palestinians on religious grounds, and calling for the takeover of Palestinian land and the expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank

Today’s measures impose financial restrictions on the entities and individuals, and travel restrictions on the individuals.

Further information

• today’s sanction package is the second UK package targeting persons involved in settler violence in the West Bank. The first tranche was announced by the FCDO on 12 February 2024

Definitions

• an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world
• a travel ban means that the designated person is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, and must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom (and any leave given to a person who is an excluded person is invalid)

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2024.

The United Kingdom has joined with its international partners to condemn malicious cyber activity by the Russian Intelligence Services.

A UK government spokesperson said:

The United Kingdom stands with the European Union, Germany, Czechia and other allies in strongly condemning malicious cyber activity by Russian Intelligence Services.

Today’s statements from our allies demonstrate the scale, persistence, and seriousness of unacceptable Russian behaviours in cyberspace.

Recent activity by Russian GRU cyber group APT28, including the targeting of the German Social Democratic Party executive, is the latest in a known pattern of behaviour by the Russian Intelligence Services to undermine democratic processes across the globe.

On 7 December 2023, the UK exposed a series of attempts by the Russian Intelligence Services to target high-profile UK individuals and entities through cyber operations. At the same time, we sanctioned 2 Russian nationals responsible for political interference.

With multiple elections around the world in 2024, raising awareness of the threat to the UK and our international partners remains vitally important for our collective resilience.

Today, as part of a broad coalition of allies, we are making clear to the Russian state that we will continue to identify, expose, and respond to such unacceptable activity.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2024.

The UK and Ukraine have launched the InnovateUkraine programme, which will support 13 green energy innovation projects in Ukraine with a £16m investment from the UK government.

The UK government has invested £16m in innovations which will support the recovery and future sustainability of Ukraine’s energy system. The programme aims to rebuild Ukraine’s energy system, displace fossil fuels, and support post-war recovery.

The programme is delivered by a UK-based innovation agency and will leverage an additional £5m in private sector co-investment and involves collaborations between over 50 UK and Ukrainian organizations.

Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Halushchenko said:

Today we have a chance to demonstrate that the struggle for energy independence is  a fight for the future. The green transition goes way beyond ecology or distributed generation. For Ukraine, this is a matter of national security. I am sure that the implementation of the project in the field of green technologies is of great importance for the future cooperation between Ukraine and the UK in the energy sector.

The British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris said:

I am proud that the UK continues to support the recovery of the Ukrainian energy sector, particularly after recent brutal attacks from Russia. We want to see it greener and more resilient.

Our support for these 13 innovations – which bring together the best of British and Ukrainian business, universities, and civil society – will help Ukraine recover in a more sustainable way. These projects showcase the depth and breadth of partnership between our countries.

Some notable projects include developing a new space heating technology for heat pumps, an innovative battery storage solution for renewables, a more targeted approach to harnessing geothermal energy in Ukraine, and work to optimise Ukraine’s bioenergy resources.

The funded projects will execute their work plans over the next two years and receive support from an accelerator programme for further investment and market entry.

Originally announced at the UK-hosted Ukraine Recovery Conference in June 2023, this partnership has been designed by the UK and Ukrainian Governments over the course of the last 12 months.

By combining the rich science, technology and innovation heritage of both the UK and Ukraine, this competition aims to address not only Ukraine’s immediate priorities, but also wider global challenges.

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

UK Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan met with senior representatives from the Chinese government and Hong Kong authorities as part of her 6-day visit.

The UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, met with senior representatives from the Chinese government and Hong Kong authorities as part of her 6-day visit to Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong.

In Beijing, she met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Li.

The Minister reiterated to Vice Minister Deng the UK’s approach to China, in line with the Integrated Review Refresh – outlining the protect, align and engage pillars of the UK’s China strategy.

They discussed the global issues on which the P5 Security Council need to cooperate. The Minister encouraged China to use its influence positively to avert further escalation in the Middle East; and urge Russia to end its illegal invasion in Ukraine, including through engaging constructively with international efforts to achieve a just peace, and ensuring Chinese companies do not circumvent sanctions by supplying Russia including through dual use goods and components.

The 2 ministers explored mutual opportunities for greater co-operation between the UK and China on issues such as AI safety, trade, development, and climate change.

During the meeting, Minister Trevelyan made UK concerns clear, on human rights, the implementation of National Security legislation and connected cases in Hong Kong, including Jimmy Lai’s ongoing trial. The Minister set out concerns against any interference in the UK’s democratic institutions, stressing the importance of the UK’s parliamentary democracy and that we will always put our national security first. She urged China to lift sanctions on MPs and other British nationals.

Minister Trevelyan then travelled to Hong Kong in the first visit by a UK FCDO minister to the Special Administrative Region since 2018, meeting with Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasised our historic ties to Hong Kong and its people and our support for rights and freedoms set out in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The Minister raised concerns over the deterioration of rights and freedom in the city precipitated by the 2020 National Security Law, as well as the prosecution of Jimmy Lai and others and the recent passage of legislation under Article 23. She also addressed matters of concern for the BN(O) community in the UK including the imposition of bounties.

The ministers also discussed important areas for pragmatic cooperation, including issues of global concern like financial stability, tackling illicit finance and leadership on green finance.

Throughout the visit, the Minister reiterated the need for a constructive and open relationship to be able to discuss issues of mutual and global interest as well as areas of disagreement or concern.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on conflict-related sexual violence.

Thank you, President, and I would like to thank SRSG Patten, Ms Ahmadi, and Ms Gurira for briefing us today. I would particularly like to thank SRSG Patten for her commitment to speaking out on behalf of victims and survivors, and for upholding and delivering on her mandate. Thank you.

President, conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is not an inevitable consequence of war. The UK remains committed to tackling CRSV. Indeed, we have prioritised this agenda through the leadership of our Prime Minister’s special representative, and we’ve contributed through key initiatives including the launch of the Murad Code. I’d like to outline three priorities:

First, on the focus of today’s debate: UNIDIR estimates that 70-90% of CRSV incidents involve weapons and firearms. In contexts where widely available small arms and weapons are contributing to high rates of CRSV, effective conventional arms control can play a vital role in prevention. Women should be at the centre of these efforts.

Our own WPS National Action Plan highlights the importance of arms control. We call for the implementation of national arms control measures, including effective export controls, to strengthen CRSV prevention. Gender-responsive security sector reform will help ensure those who bear arms do not use them to perpetrate CRSV.

The fact that CRSV is so widespread, as shown in the Secretary General’s Annual Report, is truly shocking. This Council has an essential role to play in shaping the international response to CRSV. We should use the tools the Security Council has to deter future CRSV, including through sanctions where appropriate.

Second, President, there are three contexts I would like to draw particular attention to:

First, In Sudan, as Ms Ahmadi’s moving briefing brought home to us so clearly, reports of CRSV paint a dire picture, and the UK is supporting partners to care for and protect survivors. We echo the Secretary-General’s call for the cessation of violence, an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and for humanitarian corridors so that survivors can access support.

The second context is Ukraine. There is mounting evidence of conflict-related sexual violence committed by Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. Two Russian perpetrators have been convicted for CRSV. These acts appear to show a pattern where CRSV is being used as a weapon of war. The UK PSVI Team of Experts is helping to build investigatory capacity to support accountability in Ukraine.

The third context, in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, we condemn all allegations and reports of CRSV. We call for thorough investigations and a survivor-centred approach, and for hostages to be released immediately, and for detainees to be treated with dignity and in line with humanitarian international law.

Finally, President, in a world where, as we heard from Ms Gurira, 80 cents is all it takes to destroy a girl’s life, the UK continues to drive action to strengthen the global response to CRSV, having established last year the International Alliance on PSVI. Twenty-six members have joined including governments, multilaterals, survivors, and civil society organisations, including the ICC, and we continue to welcome new members. Through the Alliance, we are driving forward stronger international coordination to address CRSV and provide support to survivors.

We call for Council members to implement the recommendations of this report to play their part to end these abhorrent acts and to end impunity for them, once and for all.

Thank you.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 April 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this morning, to assure him of the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s brutal and expansionist ambitions.

He confirmed that the UK would provide an additional £500 million in immediate funding to support the highest priority capabilities, including further ammunition, air defence and drones – taking our support this year to £3 billion.

The Ministry of Defence would also make our largest-ever single commitment of military equipment to help Ukraine fight back across land, sea and air – including 60 boats, more than 400 vehicles and over 1,600 missiles.

President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s continued support, saying the new military assistance would make a material difference to ordinary Ukrainians fighting on the frontline to defend their country.

Ahead of a visit to Poland and Germany, the Prime Minister reiterated that Ukraine’s security was central to all of Europe’s security. He said the UK would continue to work to galvanise the international community to support Ukraine’s defence.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2024.

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

Thank you, President. I thank SRSG Salvador, Executive Director Waly, and Executive Director Russell for briefing us today. And I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Haiti as well as the Foreign Minister Álvarez Gil of the Dominican Republic.

I would like to express our gratitude to SRSG Salvador and her team for their steadfast commitment to the Haitian people during these difficult times. We pay tribute to the UN’s efforts, especially the establishment of a humanitarian airbridge to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies and personnel.

President, we commend the courage of the Haitian national police.  Criminal armed gangs cannot be allowed to hold the country hostage and to continue this appalling violence against the Haitian people. There are continued reports of indiscriminate killing, burning of camps for internally displaced people, and sexual and gender-based violence. We hear chilling accounts of girls facing collective rape by gangs on their way to school. No child should have to choose between their personal safety and education.

We are calling on all those with influence over the gangs to rein them in now, for the good of the Haitian people. And we should use our UN sanctions regime to change the behaviour of those who are destabilising Haiti. The United Kingdom will continue to work with all Council members to this end.

A political solution remains critical to resolving this crisis. We commend the efforts of CARICOM to secure an agreement on a new power-sharing transitional government. This transitional government should be in place as soon as possible to begin its work towards inclusive, free, and fair legislative and presidential elections.

President, the United Kingdom will continue to support the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to help deliver the security the Haitian people deserve. We thank Kenya for leading these efforts and thank all countries that have contributed personnel and funds. These efforts are critical, and the United Kingdom has pledged over $6 million dollars to the UN Trust Fund.

Thank you.