Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 August 2025.

Press release covering the official visit of Baroness Jenny Chapman, UK Minister of State for Latin America and the Caribbean, and International Development, to Peru.

• UK Minister for Latin America, Baroness Jenny Chapman, visited Peru to strengthen bilateral cooperation and reaffirm the UK’s long-term commitment to the country.
• With the Foreign Minister, the Minister agreed a Joint Declaration on Security, reinforcing collaboration against Transnational Serious and Organised Crime including drug trafficking, illicit economies, and environmental crimes
• The Minister also attended the signing of new education agreement to drive English language teaching, teacher training, and academic opportunities for Peruvian students, supported by the British Council.

Lima, August 20, 2025 – In a wide-ranging visit to Peru, Baroness Jenny Chapman of Darlington, UK Minister of State for Latin America and the Caribbean, and International Development, drove collaboration on Security, Growth, and Climate – deepening the UK’s strategic partnership.

With the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Ambassador Elmer Schialer, the Minister agreed a Joint Declaration on Security, a milestone in joint efforts to fight Transnational Serious and Organised Crime, drug trafficking, illicit economies and environmental crimes.

The Minister also delivered a donation of equipment (scanners, drones, and vehicles) on behalf of UK’s Home Office International Operation to the Peruvian Police, to enhance their operational and intelligence capabilities. At a ceremony with the Viceminister of the Interior, Maxfredid Pérez, Minister Chapman reaffirmed the UK’s long-term commitment to collaborate on counternarcotics, tackling organised crime and preventing cocaine reaching UK streets. That followed a visit to the Port of Callao where the Minister spoke with representatives from the Anti-Drug Directorate of the Police (DIRANDRO) and the National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) to hear first-hand about the shared challenges and vital importance of this joint work.

Baroness Chapman’s visit also strengthened a trading relationship worth over £1bn, highlighting the growing potential of the CPTPP and the Andean Free Trade Agreement. In a series of meetings with the Peruvian Prime Minister, and Ministers of Transport and Finance she discussed mutual growth, and the benefits of the Double Taxation Agreement that the UK and Peru hope to ratify this year. The Minister underscored the importance of this for driving two-way investment, the UK’s position as the largest investor in Peru, and the desire to further that in the key sectors of mining and renewable energy through InPeru’s mission to the UK in September. They also explored strategic collaboration in infrastructure projects on health, education, rail and irrigation, building on the delivery of £7bn+ in key projects by UK companies over the last 6 years, and wider collaboration to improve the infrastructure ecosystem.

With the President, Dina Boluarte and the Minister for Education, Morgan Quero, Minister Chapman participated in the inauguration of the IE 2028 Peruano Británico – part of the Bicentennial Schools Government-to-Government Programme. This is the 35th school completed under this framework, which reflects the UK’s focus on delivering infrastructure in record time and to highest standards, but also adding wider value to support the country’s economic and social development.

UK Minister for Latin America, Baroness Chapman, said:

It’s been an inspiring and productive visit to Peru – and the 200-year strong UK-Peru partnership has never been stronger.

The security and education partnerships we have committed to this week will help to build inclusive, secure, and prosperous futures for both of our nations – underpinning a trade relationship worth well over £1bn, as I discussed with counterparts and industry partners.

The work we are doing here will help create jobs, opportunities and stability for the people of Peru and the UK, and I look forward to continuing our strategic collaboration.

During the visit Baroness Chapman also participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to advance cooperation to strengthen the Peruvian education system. The agreement, which will be supported by the British Council, will drive English language teaching, professional development for teachers and school leaders, internationalization of higher education, and expand academic opportunities for Peruvian students in the United Kingdom.

Finally, the Minister met the Minister for Environment, Juan Carlos Castro Vargas to drive collaboration ahead of COP30 – including the signature of the new Joint Declaration of Intent – as Peru pushes an ambitious update of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 August 2025.

The FCDO has released a statement on the Government of Israel’s decision to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

The Government of Israel’s decision to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority is counter-productive. It will only close the space for dialogue and diplomacy which is so essential to delivering a long-term solution for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Together with our allies, including Australia, we are working on a framework for peace for what comes next in Gaza and to deliver a two-state solution. The first step must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a surge in aid.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 August 2025.

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

President, conflict-related sexual violence shatters lives and undermines peace.

Impunity remains the norm, and resources to support survivors are increasingly stretched.

We heard from Ms Ahmed about the scale and brutality of this violence in Sudan.

We call on the warring parties to comply with their Jeddah commitments and cooperate with investigations by both the International Criminal Court and the UN-mandated Fact-Finding Mission.

Heightened conflict in eastern DRC has caused an unprecedented spike in sexual violence.

Mass displacement and food insecurity have left women and girls vulnerable to forced prostitution as a means of survival.

In Ukraine, there is mounting evidence of Russian-perpetrated sexual violence against both civilians and detainees.

UN reports suggest more than 2 in 3 detainees are affected.

We have seen reporting of sexual violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and we continue to call for all reports of abuses by all parties to be fully investigated.

And we have heard harrowing reports of widespread, systematic, and deliberate acts of sexual and reproductive violence in conflict-affected parts of Ethiopia.

The United Kingdom remains committed to this agenda.

In the last year, the UK appointed a new Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and convened multiple UN discussions on sexual violence in Sudan, DRC, Ukraine, and other contexts.

I will outline three priorities.

First, we call for greater action to support survivors, ensuring their voices are at the heart of any response.

The UK-founded International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict drives survivor-centred international action.

I commend Ukraine’s chairpersonship of the Alliance this year.

Second, we must work together to end impunity, ensuring that survivors can access justice without fear or shame.

The UK is supporting efforts to deliver accountability, including through our work with the UN Action network and UN Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Third, there must be adequate and sustained resourcing to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence.

The UK has continued to provide vital funding, enabling thousands of survivors to access medical, legal and psychosocial support.

25 years on from the landmark Security Council resolution 1325, we urge members to make strides in fully implementing this resolution and the subsequent resolution 2467 on a survivor-centred approach.

President, the UK remains resolute in our determination to work with partners to end the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence, support survivors, deliver justice and end impunity once and for all.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 August 2025.

The UK has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to offer the prestigious Chevening Scholarship Programme in the state.

Under the agreement signed today [19 August] in Lucknow in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, up to 15 scholars from the state will be eligible for full financial support to pursue a one-year master’s in the UK.

The Chevening programme in India is the largest in the world, benefitting over 3,900 scholars and fellows since 1983, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow. Chevening alumni use their world-class education and global networks gained in the UK to create meaningful, lasting change when they return home, whether by tackling global challenges or making a tangible impact in their own communities.

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said:

The UK is a fantastic place to study, and I am delighted that our new partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh will help even more talented young people from the state experience our world-class education.

Chevening alumni in India include some of the brightest minds, working on everything from cyber, science and innovation to policy and development. They are a fundamental part of how the UK and India work together to solve global challenges and the unique living bridge that connects our countries.

The High Commissioner is currently on a one-day visit to Lucknow to explore deeper links with the state as part of UK-India Vision 2035. She held wide ranging discussions with the Chief Minister covering higher education and trade and investment opportunities following the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India in July 2025.

Further information:

• The ‘Chevening Bharat Ratna Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sarkar Scholarships Yojana’ will run for three academic years, from 2026-2029. Applications for the inaugural year are currently open from now until 7 October 2025. Five scholars will be selected every year. For details and to apply, visit https://www.chevening.org/apply
• The Government of Uttar Pradesh will contribute 50% of the total cost of the scholar that will be match-funded by the UK Government. A representative from the Government of Uttar Pradesh will be invited to join the interview panel for scholar selection.
• The Chevening programme in India is the largest in the world, benefitting over 3,900 scholars and fellows since 1983. Over 40% of Chevening scholars come from outside metro cities, are first generation learners and belong to lesser privileged groups.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 August 2025.

On World Humanitarian Day (19 August), Minister for Development Baroness Chapman pays tribute to humanitarian workers who have lost their lives while delivering vital aid.

• 2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian aid workers, with 2025 set to be as bad or worse due to the ongoing crises in Gaza and Sudan.
• Around 100 more aid workers are set to be honoured for life-saving relief efforts in Gaza, where humanitarian need has reached new depths.

Around 100 more aid workers are set to be recognised for life-saving relief efforts in Gaza, Minister for Development Baroness Chapman has announced on World Humanitarian Day (19 August).

2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarians, with 383 aid workers losing their lives around the world, including British citizens.

2025 is set to be as bad or worse due to the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine. Gaza remains one of the most dangerous places for humanitarians, with over 450 aid workers killed since the beginning of the conflict.

In January, the Government announced the first recipients of the new Humanitarian Medal. The national honour recognises the courage and dedication of humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help others as part of the UK’s humanitarian responses in the world’s most dangerous places.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is now recommending around 100 more aid workers receive the honour for their efforts responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Among the recipients will be brave humanitarians deployed with organisations like UK-MED who, backed by UK Government funding, have treated over 500,000 Gazans in field hospitals over the course of the conflict and aid workers who have urgently tried to reach Gazans with food, water and shelter.

Minister for Development Baroness Chapman said:

“Today, World Humanitarian Day, is a day to celebrate brave and inspiring humanitarian workers across the world. These remarkable people do untold good in places like Gaza, Myanmar and Sudan where hideous preventable conflict costs an obscene loss of life. What aid workers do for humanity needs to be recognised and celebrated.

“This World Humanitarian Day, alongside our work with the international community to provide support and relief to the people of Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, we are preparing to award around 100 more aid workers with the Humanitarian Medal, for their efforts to alleviate suffering in Gaza.

“Our funding to the world’s worst humanitarian crises is delivering real hope on the ground.”

UK aid groups are also recognised globally as leaders in delivering lifesaving aid. Last week (13 August) the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) based in Manchester, were awarded the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. This is the world’s largest annual humanitarian award, presented to organisations that have made an extraordinary contribution to the alleviation of human suffering.

MAG, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, remove the threat of landmines and unexploded bombs from places affected by conflict. Since 1989, MAG has helped over 20 million people in 70 countries rebuild their lives and livelihoods after war.

No nation can tackle global challenges alone. In a world where security threats are growing and humanitarian crises are multiplying, the UK is sharpening its focus, helping to protect aid workers and promote international humanitarian law.

The UK has suspended relevant export licences to Israel following concerns about International Humanitarian Law violations, hosted the London Sudan Conference to address humanitarian access, and increased investment in critical organisations like the International NGO Safety Organisation and the Aid Worker Security Database that help keep aid workers safe wherever they are.

The UK is working with partners to strengthen global safety, security and prosperity. Fostering stability overseas supports our security in the UK too, helping us deliver our Plan for Change.

Notes to editors:

• We expect to be able to award the additional humanitarian medals by early 2026.
• The UK intends to continue our proud history of helping those in need, including in Gaza. The UK’s support to date has meant:
• UK funding to UK-Med has supported over 500,000 patient consultations across Gaza.
• At least 647,000 have received food.
• Almost 300,000 people have improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.
• 14,000 children have access to education materials and welfare support. The UK has provided 1.3 million items of life-saving medicines, over 50,000 shelter items and over 70,000 wound care packs.
• The Prime Minister released a statement on 8 August calling for a ceasefire and a surge in humanitarian aid, urging Israel to reconsider its decision to take further military action in Gaza.
• In April, the Foreign Secretary hosted a conference to discuss the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The UK announced £120 million in humanitarian support, to deliver lifesaving food and nutrition supplies, including for vulnerable children and to provide emergency support to survivors of sexual violence.
• The UK provided over £120 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in 2024 to 2025, bringing our total humanitarian contribution to over £477 million for Ukraine and the region from the start of the full-scale invasion to the end of the previous financial year.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 August 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on South Sudan.

President, I will make three points.

Firstly, the United Kingdom remains concerned by the continued violence across South Sudan, which has led to widespread suffering.

As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report, military offensives and intercommunal clashes continue to devastate communities.

We condemn these repeated attacks, including aerial bombardments against civilians, humanitarian workers and medical facilities.

We call on South Sudan’s leaders to take urgent and concrete steps to halt the violence and restore dialogue, and we urge all parties to protect civilians and comply fully with international humanitarian and human rights law.

Second, President, as we have heard today, the political situation continues to deteriorate.

The ongoing house arrest of First Vice President Machar undermines the core principles of the 2018 peace agreement and is a serious obstacle to reconciliation.

Meanwhile, persistent reshuffles have caused further destabilisation, and government institutions are not operating as they should.

The United Kingdom echoes the African Union’s call for the immediate release of all political detainees, including the First Vice President.

This is necessary for credible and inclusive dialogue.

We also encourage renewed political engagement with regional efforts to advance peace in South Sudan.

Thirdly, the United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by the ongoing acute humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, with over 7.7 million people facing severe food insecurity, and a cholera outbreak that has claimed more than 1,400 lives.

These conditions are being exacerbated by spillover from the conflict in Sudan and by the effects of climate change.

The situation in South Sudan is a clear example of the linkages between climate, peace and security. We commend UNMISS for its tireless work in addressing these climate-related risks, as well as its broader efforts to enable the delivery of aid and protect civilians.

In this respect, President, the United Kingdom calls on South Sudan’s leadership to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all civilians in need, irrespective of political affiliation or ethnicity.

And with respect to broader efforts to build resilience and secure lasting peace, we also urge South Sudan’s leadership to take meaningful steps to address the growing impacts of climate change as a key driver of fragility and instability.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 August 2025.

The UK and Republic of Korea held a Senior Economic Dialogue in Seoul on Monday 18 August 2025.

The Second Vice Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Jina, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP (hereinafter referred to as “the Ministers”), co-chaired the second UK–ROK Senior Economic Dialogue in Seoul on 18 August 2025.

The Ministers welcomed the opportunity to meet under two new administrations, reaffirming the strength of the UK–ROK Global Strategic Partnership and their shared commitment to advancing sustainable economic growth, resilience, and prosperity. They acknowledged the evolving global economic landscape, including developments in US economic policy, trade relations with China, and ties with the EU.

The Ministers welcomed the opportunity today to discuss these issues of shared economic interest and recognised the ongoing efforts of both governments to deepen cooperation across a broad range of areas, including national economic security, defence-related industrial cooperation, and other economic diplomacy issues.

Bilateral Economic Cooperation

The Ministers reaffirmed the UK-Korea Global Strategic Partnership, centred around shared interests of growth and economic elements. They reviewed progress of negotiations for an upgraded UK–ROK Free Trade Agreement. They noted the successful conclusion of five negotiation rounds and reaffirmed their ambition to complete talks by the end of 2025.

Both sides committed to deepening the bilateral trade and investment relationship, and agreed to work together to foster a favourable environment for each other’s business activities in their respective countries.  Ministers noted the complementarity of industrial strategies and discussed greater cooperation in priority sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies, defence industry and engineering biology.  They welcomed the UK’s recent ministerial visit to Korea to promote investment opportunities and the growing bilateral investment pipeline. Ministers expressed support for the first UK-ROK Investment Dialogue at senior official level.

The Ministers reaffirmed commitment to enable our Joint Defence Exports MOU by facilitating defence industrial collaboration.

Science, Technology and Innovation

The Ministers discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation in science and technology, including artificial intelligence, quantum, engineering biology, and space. They welcomed the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and ROK’s ambitious new strategy to become a world-leading AI power.

They reaffirmed support for the UK–ROK Digital Partnership and looked forward to the next Digital Partnership Forum.

Economic Security

Both sides shared the view on the importance of advancing economic security cooperation among like-minded countries, and agreed to enhance collaboration on key issues such as the supply chains of critical minerals, through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a multilateral consultative body on critical minerals.

Energy Transition and Climate Cooperation

The Ministers agreed to deepen multilateral climate collaboration ahead of COP30 and welcomed efforts to enhance the UK-ROK Clean Energy Partnership.  Minister West welcomed ROK’s continued efforts to transition away from fossil fuels and to submit an ambitious 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Ministers noted shared economic growth opportunities through deeper collaboration in expanding clean energy and ensuring energy security.  They discussed opportunities for joint work on nuclear fuel supply chains, including UK investment in LEU and HALEU capabilities.

Development and Global Cooperation

The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the UK–ROK Strategic Development Partnership and the implementation of the agreed action plan: to hold workshops enhancing understanding of the ODA implementation systems of the UK-ROK by the end of 2025. They shared their intent to strengthen cooperation in global health.

They discussed the upcoming 8th replenishment of the Global Fund, under the UK’s joint hosting with South Africa.  The Ministers reiterated the importance of continued multilateral efforts to fight against infectious diseases, AIDS, TB and malaria.

Multilateral Engagement

The Ministers discussed cooperation in multilateral forums including the G7, G20, and CPTPP. The UK  offered to share lessons from its own experience of CPTPP accession. Both sides committed to continued dialogue on Indo-Pacific–Euro-Atlantic cooperation.

Next Steps

The UK and Korea agreed to further deepen our economic cooperation in various fields including trade, defence, climate and AI and technology. They also welcomed the intention to strengthen links between Korean and British businesses, parliamentarians and academics, including through a proposed UK-Korea High Level Forum.

The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to holding regular Senior Economic Dialogues, to monitor progress of the bilateral economic cooperation and identify new areas for collaboration and economic growth.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 August 2025.

Joint statement on behalf of 29 donors on the situation in and around El Fasher, Sudan.

“As fighting continues unabated in North Darfur, Sudan, hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped in and around the city of El Fasher besieged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). All trade routes and supply lines have been cut off, and humanitarian organisations have been unable to deliver lifesaving aid for over a year. Even communal kitchens, which have been feeding civilians across the country on the frontline of the humanitarian response, have had to shut down due to food shortages. The price of food staples is surging, leaving families unable to afford basic items even when they are available. People are starving as a result: famine was confirmed in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps close to El Fasher in August 2024, has spread since and is expected to spread further during the current lean season. Rising cases of cholera exacerbate the worst effects of malnutrition. Over 60 people have already reportedly died from malnutrition during the past week.

“The civilians of North Darfur – especially women and girls – have been exposed to horrific violations, including alarming rates of conflict-related sexual violence, since the onset of the conflict in April 2023. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, including markets and hospitals, have left the population with no access to healthcare. Recent reports shed light on the large-scale and repeated violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated by the RSF in Zamzam IDP camp in April 2025, where over 1,500 civilians are said to have been killed. In El Fasher, civilians are reportedly being killed as they try to exit the city. The recent attack on Abu Shouk IDP camp killed at least 40 civilians according to local sources. The International Criminal Court’s Office of the Prosecutor stated in July 2025 that there are reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been, and continue to be, committed in Darfur.

“Similar famine-like conditions and dreadful attacks persist in other areas of Sudan, especially in the Kordofans due to brutal hostilities across the states and the ongoing siege of Kadugli.

“This cannot continue.

“All parties to the conflict are responsible for the protection of civilians in Darfur and Kordofan. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF made clear commitments in the Jeddah Declaration (May 2023) to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We urge all parties to demonstrate their compliance with this commitment by guaranteeing the immediate, unconditional, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to populations in need as well as protecting and preventing violations against civilians, in particular women and children and including humanitarian personnel, and civilian infrastructure at all times.

“To this end, we specifically call on the RSF and their allies to halt the siege on El Fasher, as requested under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736 (2024). We urge the RSF to grant a humanitarian pause for rapid, safe and unconditional humanitarian access to the people in need and safe passage of civilians to leave areas of active hostilities on a voluntary basis, in the direction they choose.

“We further call on the SAF to renew their agreement to this humanitarian pause in El Fasher and put in place the necessary approvals to facilitate the work of humanitarian organisations.

“We reiterate our call on the SAF to permanently open the Adré border crossing point for humanitarian actors, to lift bureaucratic impediments and to allow timely delivery of humanitarian and basic needs assistance across the country.

“We call on all parties to urgently allow UN-led convoys and sustained UN presence, including senior international staff, across Sudan’s territory, especially in the Darfurs and Kordofans, to enable the rapid scale up of humanitarian assistance to the population in need.

“We stand with the people of Sudan and humanitarian organisations – local and international – who are working tirelessly and under extremely challenging conditions to assist them. Civilians must be protected, and humanitarian access must be granted. Accountability must be ensured.”

This statement has been signed by:

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management

Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain

Åsmund Aukrust, Minister of International Development of Norway

Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa of the United Kingdom

Gabija Grigaitė-Daugirdė, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania

Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), Canada

Elsebeth Søndergaard Krone, State Secretary for Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

Diana Janse, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation of Sweden

Mariin Ratnik, Undersecretary for Economic and Development Affairs of Estonia

Dominik Stillhart, Head of Swiss Humanitarian Aid, Deputy Director General of Swiss Development Cooperation

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechia, the Republic of Finland, Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the Hellenic Republic, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 August 2025.

The visit highlighted progress made through a UK project which supports sustainable development and environmental conservation in southern Petén.

UK Ambassador to Guatemala, Juliana Correa, visited the community of San Miguel in Poptún on 13 August, where the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF) is investing approximately £16,000 to support local initiatives.

The project has provided piped water access to 38 families (benefiting around 210 people), supported environmental protection systems for 21 families, and helped 14 families revive traditional bean cultivation practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and wildfire risks.

During the visit, the ambassador learned about community conservation efforts, including more than 50 environmental monitoring tours, maintaining firebreaks across an area of 551 hectares, and strengthening local governance in collaboration with Guatemala’s National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP).

San Miguel has been a benchmark in the region, promoting cooperation agreements that have inspired other communities to follow similar processes. The United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to working alongside Guatemala to address the effects of climate change, protect biodiversity, and combat poverty.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 August 2025.

A landmark UK programme has successfully concluded after delivering major reforms across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The UK’s Sub-National Governance Programme ran from 2019 to 2025, unlocking over £1.9 billion in public finance through improved planning, budgeting, and revenue mobilisation.

Working closely with provincial governments, the programme has helped to achieve savings to reinvest into other public services. For example, it helped the Government of Punjab to develop a comprehensive pensions reform plan. This included the introduction of a new pensions scheme where both the employer and employee pay in, which is expected to save the Government of Punjab PKR 2.7 trillion over the next 30 years.

Reforms through the programme have also directly supported people’s livelihoods. In Punjab, 35 million people’s social and economic data was collected, meaning the government can now better target urgent cash assistance and food subsidies. The programme helped design and rollout social protection initiatives such as Ba-Himmat Buzurg, which offers elderly people with no source of income financial assistance, and the Himmat Card which provides financial support for people with disabilities in Punjab. In KP, it helped overhaul waste management, introducing sustainable door-to-door waste collection which is now being scaled up across the province.

British High Commission Development Director, Sam Waldock, said:

This programme shows what is possible when strong partnerships come together to support long-term reform, changing people’s lives. We’ve strengthened institutions, improved service delivery, and helped Pakistan unlock more of its resources to finance its own development. That has led to direct improvements to the day to day lives of millions- from helping people to access essential cash assistance, to creating waste management systems which makes their surroundings cleaner and more hygienic.

The UK’s work on governance reform in Pakistan will continue. In collaboration with UN Development Programme, the UK will continue to focus on sustained institutional reform and improved public financial management. Several key initiatives, including further reforms to provincial pension schemes, will be carried forward in the UK’s new National Governance Programme.