Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

President, I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General  Bathily and Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki for their briefings today.

President, as we’ve heard, the political impasse in Libya is unsustainable. Recent clashes at the Ras Ajdar border are a reminder of the fragility of Libya’s security landscape and the devastating impact any escalation could have on ordinary Libyans.

In this context, I wish to make three points this morning:

First, the only sustainable pathway to improving the security situation is through the UN-facilitated political process and an inclusive political settlement. We therefore, once again, call on Libya’s leaders to work with the SRSG constructively, and without preconditions, to resolve the outstanding issues delaying elections. We support SRSG Bathily’s call for this council, and the international community, to be united in support of the UN process. Municipal council elections would be an important step in the right direction, giving Libyans a voice in their leadership. I urge Libya’s leaders to provide the High National Election Commission the funding and security guarantees needed to deliver these elections as soon as possible.

Second, the political stalemate leaves Libya vulnerable to the influence,  or as SRSG Bathily put it, the fierce rivalry, of external actors seeking control of the country’s security and economy, risking further instability, including beyond into the Sahel. Flagrant and malign breaches of the arms embargo contribute to this, and we note reports of large Russian Naval vessels delivering military supplies to the Libyan National Army on 8 and 14 April.

As we heard from SRSG Bathily, the political stalemate also exacerbates challenges for civil society, free speech, and women. Basic human rights and democratic values are being undermined.

Seven months on from September’s floods, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Derna and other affected areas remain politicised. International institutions are frozen out and access is constrained. We continue to urge Libyan authorities to agree a transparent model for recovery and reconstruction and recommend the authorities use the technical expertise offered by the United Nations Development Programme to help those Libyans who continue to suffer.

In conclusion, President, Libya’s future prosperity is reliant on a politically stable and unified country with transparent and accountable institutions. The UK will continue to work with partners and support the SRSG and UNSMIL towards this aim. I call once again on Libya’s leaders to engage constructively with the SRSG and to fulfil their responsibilities to the Libyan people.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2024.

The UK has announced life-saving assistance for hundred of thousands of Ethiopians at a pledging event in Geneva.

• the UK seeks to galvanise the international community and has pledged vital life-saving assistance to help hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians, as their humanitarian crisis worsens
• new funding will support people facing the devastating impacts of climate change, conflict, disease outbreaks and economic challenges
• the Deputy Foreign Secretary visited Ethiopia and witnessed the crisis first-hand in Tigray in February

The UK will today [Tuesday 16 April] pledge humanitarian aid to provide lifesaving support for hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians, including over 435,000 children and mothers suffering from malnutrition and more than 230,000 needing access to emergency healthcare.

The new UK funding will treat the worst cases of acute malnutrition, covering critical gaps in nutrition supplies. It will also increase access to safe water and sanitation, while providing emergency cash and social protection to increase food security and resilience in vulnerable communities. The UK’s support will boost Ethiopians’ access to primary health care services including access to ambulance care, antenatal care, vaccinations, and ensuring women have a skilled healthcare worker when they give birth.

The Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell will announce the £100 million boost to UK funding at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Ethiopia pledging conference in Geneva today where he will call on the international community to step up support to address the worsening situation.

Ethiopia faces one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with over 21 million people in need of assistance. Over 15 million people face food insecurity, and over 4 million people are internally displaced. Tigray and Amhara are some of the worst affected regions, with an El Niño-induced drought continuing to affect close to 5 million people.

Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:

The humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia is at a critical level. When I visited earlier this year I saw first-hand how conflict and drought are devastating communities – with women and young children being the hardest hit.

The UK is doing it all it can to ensure communities most in need across Ethiopia have access to nutrition, healthcare, water and sanitation. The international community must act now if we are to avoid the humanitarian crisis escalating further.

As vulnerable countries such as Ethiopia are impacted by more frequent and more severe drought and flooding, the UK is supporting them to adapt and build resilience for the long term. Funding will boost the climate resilience of communities and provide support for those displaced due to drought and extreme weather.

Today’s conference is co-hosted by the UK, the Government of Ethiopia, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The Deputy Foreign Secretary will call for the international community to continue its humanitarian efforts. He will also outline the importance of ensuring funding goes to those who need it the most and improving data analysis to increase the efficiency of the response.

Background

• the Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell visited Ethiopia in February, where the UK announced £100 million for Ending Preventable Deaths
• forecasts indicate that the number of critically food insecure people is projected to peak at 10.8 million between July and September. Malnutrition rates in several regions have significantly increased, surpassing critical thresholds
• the white paper and Global Food Security Summit (GFSS) and 2023 campaign set the stage for renewed UK leadership on humanitarian action and food security. This includes a strong focus on resilience building, prevention of malnutrition through the health system, and more climate resilient agriculture and food systems
• last year the UK doubled its humanitarian funding to Ethiopia from £42 million to £80 million in light of its increased needs. This year the UK will continue to scale up its work, providing £100 million for humanitarian assistance to avert a serious humanitarian crisis
• £30 million of this funding will be used to treat acute malnutrition for those in greatest need, covering critical gaps in nutrition supplies
• the remaining funding will target health, water and sanitation deficiencies as part of efforts to prevent and reduce malnutrition, while funding emergency cash and social protection to increase food security and resilience for vulnerable communities

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Thank you President, and I thank Director-General Grossi for his briefing. The Director-General’s 7 April report of drone strikes hitting the site of Zaporizhzhia was deeply concerning, as were reports from the IAEA team at the plant, of explosions and rifle fire on site and several rounds of outgoing artillery fire from nearby the plant.

Thankfully, the IAEA has since confirmed that the IAEA team on the ground were unharmed and there were no indications of damage to critical nuclear safety and security systems at the site. We thank the IAEA team for all of their efforts in monitoring the safety and security situation at the plant in extremely difficult circumstances.

This is, however, a stark reminder of the precarious safety and security situation at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, caused by Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine.

There have been eight complete losses of power at Zaporizhzhia since August 2022. IAEA experts have not had complete access to all areas important for nuclear security and safety. And Russia continues to keep military equipment and personnel at the site, including vehicles in the Turbine Halls and defensive installations on the reactor roofs.

Other sites have also been affected. The Neutron Source installation in Kharkiv lost power twice in April and March due to shelling. The South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant also lost connection to power lines. And the IAEA team at Khmelnytskyy Nuclear Power Plant was forced to take shelter four times in March due to air raids, putting the operating staff there under immense pressure.

Colleagues, it is vital to reduce the risk of a nuclear incident at Zaporizhzhia and across Ukraine. The UK echoes the Director-General Grossi’s appeal to abstain from any action which could violate the five concrete principles for upholding safety at ZNPP that he set out at the UN Security Council last May. We also call on Russia to allow the IAEA experts full and complete access to all areas of the plant.

One country, however, has a far greater ability to improve the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine than any other. Russia can hand back Zaporizhzhia to the Ukrainian authorities, end its war and remove all its troops from Ukraine’s sovereign territory.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2024.

Stephen Kavanagh, the current Executive Director of Policing Services of INTERPOL, arrived in New Delhi today for high level meetings with the Indian government to discuss the future of international crime-fighting.

Mr. Kavanagh began his trip with a visit to India Gate, before holding bilateral meetings with senior Indian government representatives, including Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Praveen Sood. At the CBI headquarters, they exchanged views on tackling law enforcement challenges and increasing cooperation between countries.

They spoke about the need for deeper international co-operation to counter terrorism, as well as to combat drug smugglers and technology enabled crime, including the safe use of artificial intelligence.

On his visit to India, Stephen Kavanagh said:

India is a critical partner for INTERPOL, whose agencies have been at the forefront in tackling multi-dimensional criminal activities at the global level.

Should I be elected as the Secretary General of INTERPOL, I would work with members to drive an increase in data and analysis, delivering operational successes against drugs, cyber and crimes against wildlife and the environment. My vision for INTERPOL is underpinned by principles that I believe in strongly: impact through the delivery of tangible operational outcomes, innovation to outsmart criminality, working inclusively and openly for all our member countries, and serving always with integrity, humility, and professionalism.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council briefing on Iran’s attack against Israel, 14 April 2024.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2024.

The UK announced sanctions on businesses which support the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the military groups behind the conflict in Sudan.

• sanctions imposed by the UK on businesses which support activity of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the military groups behind the conflict in Sudan
• new sanctions follow the UK’s commitment to nearly double aid for Sudan as the humanitarian crisis deepens
• the UK again calls on the warring parties to commit to a lasting ceasefire and lift restrictions which are preventing aid reaching those who need it the most

A year after the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, the UK has today (15 April) imposed new sanctions on businesses linked with financing the warring parties.

Strict measures will impose an asset freeze on companies linked to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and will limit their financial freedom.

These sanctions send a clear signal to the warring parties that they must end fighting and meaningfully engage in a peace process.

The conflict in Sudan has caused more than 8.6 million people to flee their homes, with over 6.6 million displaced within Sudan itself – the world’s worst displacement crisis. 25 million people in Sudan need assistance, and the country is on the verge of a catastrophic hunger crisis.  The UN has formally warned of the risk of famine this year, with 18 million currently facing hunger.

Last month, the UK committed a £89 million package of support for Sudan, predominately for humanitarian aid. This includes funding to UNICEF which will provide emergency and life-saving food assistance to support people, particularly those in hard-to reach areas in Sudan, including nutrition, water and hygiene services for 500,000 children under five.  It will also support survivors of gender-based violence.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

This senseless and brutal war has devastated lives. A year on since the outbreak of fighting, we continue to see appalling atrocities against civilians, unacceptable restrictions on humanitarian access and an utter disregard for civilian life.

The businesses that support the warring parties must be held to account, alongside those responsible for human rights abuses.  The world must not forget about Sudan. We urgently need to end the violence.

Last month, Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell visited Chad where he announced £89 million of funding to Sudan, including support to UNICEF which will provide emergency and life-saving food assistance.

Today, Lord Benyon took part in an International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan, where he reaffirmed the UK’s near-doubling of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Sudan to £89 million this financial year.

The sanctions announced today are:

• Alkhaleej Bank, a financial institution which has been key to the RSF financing its operations and to it controlling key elements of the Sudanese economy
• Al-Fakher Advanced Works, a holding company used by the RSF to export gold. The proceeds of these sales are used to purchase weapons to allow the RSF to continue fighting
• Red Rock Mining, a mining and exploration company which is a subsidiary of Sudan Master Technology, which the UK has already designated and provides funds to the SAF. It is also closely linked to Defence Industries System, the economic and manufacturing arm of the SAF, which we designated last July

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

Thank you, President, and let me start by thanking Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Wosornu for your briefings. And I am also grateful to Ms. Shaki for highlighting the connections between climate, peace and security in Yemen as well as the stark humanitarian situation. As you’ve said, and we’ve heard, Yemen faces stark environmental challenges on top of the ongoing conflict and addressing these issues now, and as part of any discussions for peace, will be critical to Yemen’s future sustainability.

We also share Director Wosornu’s, and Ms. Shaki’s, concerns about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, and in particular, the access constraints preventing women aid workers from delivering vital assistance. We reiterate our call for all parties to facilitate unhindered access for humanitarian workers and welcome OCHA’s proposals for adapted measures, as Ms Wosornu has just outlined.

The UK has provided over $1.2 billion since the crisis started. We gave $110 million in humanitarian funding last year and we expect to increase our contribution this year.

We also continue to support fully the ongoing efforts, of the Special Envoy, to progress a roadmap towards UN-led Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue. As we’ve said before, an inclusive political settlement is the only way to bring sustainable peace and long-term stability to Yemen and address the worsening humanitarian crisis.

President, we unequivocally condemn the Iranian strikes against Israel over the weekend, which have done nothing to advance prospects for peace in Gaza. The UK has long been clear about Iran’s unacceptable role in destabilising the region, including their role in supporting the Houthis in Yemen. We understand the Houthis contributed to this latest attack. Their reckless actions continue to risk seriously undermining efforts to bring peace to the Yemeni people.

The Houthis continue to risk further escalation with their ongoing attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. This Council has been clear in its adoption of UNSCR 2722 on 10 January that we condemn Houthi attacks. They threaten innocent lives, endanger aid delivery to Yemen and the region.

We also reaffirm our condemnation of the attack on a home in Rada last month by the Houthis. This attack led to a tragic loss of life and injury and we express our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

Furthermore, the decision to issue counterfeit currency in Yemen threatens to destabilise the banking sector and deepen division in the country’s already fragile economy.

Finally, President, we call on the Houthis to prioritise the interests of the Yemeni people, to engage with UN efforts to resolve economic fragmentation and to cease provocations in order to preserve space for an intra-Yemeni peace process. In short, we call on the Houthis to stop attacks and return to the peace talks.

Thank you, President.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2024.

Mr Roderick Drummond has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia in succession to Ms Helen Winterton who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Drummond will take up his appointment during September 2024.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Roderick Ian Drummond

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 April 2024.

The Minister of State for the Middle East honours the many Kurdish people in Iraq killed and injured during Saddam Hussein’s brutal military campaign.

On the 36th anniversary, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, said:

On this sombre day, we remember the men, women and children who were victims of Saddam Hussein’s inhumane, coordinated campaign against Kurdish and other minority groups in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq between 1986 and 1989.

The Anfal Campaign saw appalling acts committed, from the forcible displacement, murder, and maiming of 50,000-100,000 individuals to destroying 4,000 Kurdish villages.

On 16 March 2024, our staff at the British Consulate General in Erbil visited Halabja to pay their respects to the victims massacred during the 1988 Chemical Attack – Saddam Hussein’s most infamous use of chemical weapons against the Kurdish people.

Today we honour the memory of all those who were killed in this campaign, and my thoughts and prayers are with all their loved ones and survivors who suffer day-in day-out from this tragedy.

The UK remains committed in its support for the peace, stability and prosperity of the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 April 2024.

The Chargé d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy in London was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office today, 14 April 2024.

Today, on instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy in London was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy today.

The UK condemns in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel, as well as their violation of Jordan and Iraq’s airspace. At a time of great tension in the Middle East, this was a profoundly dangerous and unnecessary escalation by Iran.

The UK calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the civilian ship ‘MSC Aries’ and its crew, which was seized by Iranian armed forces yesterday in international waters.

The Iranian authorities must take meaningful and immediate action to de-escalate and halt its reckless and unlawful behaviour.

The UK will continue to stand up for Israel’s security and the security of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq. We will also continue to work with our international partners to protect and uphold stability in the region.