Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

The UK’s commitment to international collaboration in the Arctic will be the focus for Americas Minister David Rutley on his first visit to Alaska.

The UK’s commitment to international collaboration in the Arctic to tackle pressing regional challenges such as climate change will be the focus for the UK’s Americas Minister as he begins a two-day visit to Alaska today (Thursday 11 April).

In his first trip to the northern-most US state, David Rutley, who is also the UK’s Minister for the Polar Regions, will attend the Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage where he will explain how the UK is playing a leadership role in working with Arctic States to support and strengthen Arctic security and prosperity and build on the UK’s strong relationships with regional partners.

David Rutley, Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories and Minister for the Polar Regions, said:

The Arctic matters to the UK and we are ensuring that the UK matters to the Arctic. As close neighbours we share priorities over climate, security and prosperity and we are committed to playing a key role in the region.

On my visits to states across the US, I have seen the strength of the bond that exists between America and the UK, and on my first trip to Alaska I am looking forward to discussing how we can work together to combat climate change and enhance our trade, technological and cultural partnerships.

The UK set out its close relationship with the region in its refreshed Arctic Policy Framework in February 2023.  This sets out the close links between the UK and the Arctic, and how the UK can play an appropriate leadership role that responds to significant changes in the region and builds on the strong links we already enjoy, including with the US.

During his visit, Minister Rutley will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to combat the geopolitical and environmental challenges affecting the Arctic, including through increased Russian militarisation in the region and the threat posed by climate change.

Melting sea ice will also make it possible for a wider range of actors to access the region, which has the potential to increase tensions. The Minister will reaffirm the UK’s vision for the Arctic as a place of high co-operation and low tension, and welcome the progress made to resume technical engagement in the Arctic Council.

The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, and the number of wildfires in the region has more than tripled since 2018. These changes are felt most deeply by people in the region, but they also affect the UK’s weather, natural environment and resilience.

During his visit, the Minister will get a chance to see first-hand the impact that the planet’s warming climate is having in the Arctic when he treks on the Matanuska Glacier, and will also highlight how the UK is working with regional partners to tackle climate change.

While in Anchorage, Minister Rutley will also meet Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom and Senator Lisa Murkowski, where he will explore opportunities to deepen economic and cultural ties between the UK and Alaska.

His trip to Alaska continues a programme of visits to states across America where Minister Rutley has championed the UK as a great investment and business partner and highlighted the unrivalled security and defence ties between the two allies.

With the US and UK already having more than $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies, it is a relationship that presents huge opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic – supporting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s priority to grow the UK’s economy and create better paying jobs.

The UK supports more jobs in America than any other country, with more than 1.2 million people working for British companies, while almost 1.5 million people do the same for American companies in the UK.

The UK and Alaska share a goods trading relationship that is worth $50 million a year, and world-renowned British businesses such as AstraZeneca and Barclays support jobs for almost 2,000 Alaskans.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Acting Ambassador Deirdre Brown condemns Russia’s aerial attacks across Ukraine which have impacted all major cities and resulted in the deaths of civilians.

Thank you, Madam Chair. During the last Permanent Council, the United Kingdom condemned Russia’s aerial attacks across Ukraine, and since then these attacks have continued to intensify, including last night.

Energy infrastructure has been targeted and extensively damaged, leaving millions of civilians without power and water. The widespread impact of these attacks could last for months. The UK calls on Russia to cease its bombardment of Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

As a direct result of these aerial strikes, dozens of civilians have been injured or killed, including children. There has been further damage to civilian infrastructure including residential buildings. Multiple attacks have impacted health and education facilities.

All major cities across Ukraine have been impacted by the recent attacks. Kharkiv has been badly damaged, where over the weekend at least nine high rise buildings were damaged, 10 civilians were killed and a further eight injured.

Two years since the appalling discoveries made in Bucha, it is clear that Russia continues to use terrible tactics. Many of us previously condemned the double-tap strike at Odesa on 15 March which killed at least 20 civilians and injured more than 70. The first Russian missile hit residential buildings, and when emergency teams rushed to the scene, another missile struck the same location causing further causalities. Russia repeated the same tactic on 3 April in Kharkiv when Russian drones hit high-rise apartment blocks and private homes. Rescue workers were among the seven killed as the site of the attack was brutally targeted in a repeat assault.

Russia also continues to endanger lives across the region through its illegal seizure of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Everything possible must be done to reduce the risk of a nuclear incident. Ultimately, Russia must return full control of the Plant to the rightful sovereign owner to ensure safe and secure operation.

The UK remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine so it can defend itself against Russia’s aerial attacks, with £2.5bn earmarked for further military support throughout 2024. This includes a recently announced £325m of bilateral support to provide more than 10,000 advanced drones, and £245m to continue to provide much-needed artillery ammunition.

As part of the United Kingdom’s contribution to the international Air Capability Coalition for Ukraine, which will see allies and partners working together to bolster Ukraine’s air capabilities, 10 pilots received basic flying, ground school and language training in the UK. They will one day form the first line of defence in protecting Ukraine’s skies from President Putin’s forces. We are proud that the trainees join more than 60,000 Ukrainians who have received training in the UK since President Putin first ordered the invasion of Crimea in 2014.

Every day since Russia invaded Ukraine, we have seen the tragic consequences of Russian aggression, but every day we have also been reminded of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people.

The only path to peace is if Russia ceases its illegal war, withdraws all its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, and respects the will of the Ukrainian people for a wholly independent and democratic Ukraine. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron marks 2 years since the arrest of Vladimir Kara-Murza for opposing Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

Two years on from Vladimir Kara-Murza’s arrest on fabricated charges, I urge the Russian authorities to release him immediately on humanitarian grounds.

A committed human rights activist striving for a democratic Russia, and an outspoken critic of the war in Ukraine, Mr Kara-Murza was considered a threat by the Kremlin. Putin locked him up in a bid to silence him.

We must call out Russia’s callous disregard for his declining health. The victim of two separate poisoning attempts prior to his imprisonment, Mr Kara-Murza is now being subjected to degrading and inhumane conditions in prison, clearly designed to further damage his physical and mental well-being. He has been refused the urgent medical treatment he so desperately needs.

Through diplomatic interventions at the highest levels, financial sanctions targeted at those behind his poisoning and imprisonment, and by raising his case on the international stage, we are sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this abhorrent treatment of one of our citizens.

Russia’s depraved treatment of political prisoners must end.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Ms Lindy Cameron CB OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of India in succession to Mr Alex Ellis CMG who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Ms Cameron will take up her appointment during April 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Name: Lindy Cameron

Date	Role
2020 to 2024	Chief Executive, National Cyber Security Centre
2019 to 2020	Northern Ireland Office, Director-General
2016 to 2019	DFID, Director-General Country Programmes
2014 to 2015	DFID, Director Middle East, Humanitarian, Conflict & Security
2012 to 2014	Joint MoD-FCO-DFID Stabilisation Unit, Director
2011 to 2012	DFID, Deputy Director Middle East and North Africa
2011	MoD, Royal College of Defence Studies
2009 to 2010	Helmand, Head of Provincial Reconstruction Team and FCO Senior Representative in Southern Afghanistan
2008 to 2009	Cabinet Office, Deputy Director
1998 to 2007	DFID – various leadership roles including postings to Kabul and Baghdad.  Governance adviser roles including postings to Hanoi and Lagos, and regional work in the Balkans

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

The UK has suspended the Global Tariff for cut flowers to increase trade and provide better value for consumers.

Thursday 11 April – From today, the UK has temporarily removed export tariffs for cut flowers, with the aim of making trade with the UK easier and cheaper for growers in East Africa and beyond.

Unlimited quantities of flowers can now be exported to the UK at 0% tariff, even if they transit via a third country. This is particularly important for East African flower growers who transport their blooms via third-countries or auction houses before they arrive in the UK.

The move aims to increase trade and further strengthen the economic relationship between the UK and the region. UK consumers could win big too – on price, seasonality and variety.

The suspension of 8% duty for cut flowers applies across the world but will be a big win for major flower growing regions in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The duty suspension will remain in place for two years from 11 April 2024 to 30 June 2026.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey said:

The UK’s relationship with East Africa is rooted in mutually beneficial trade. This additional flower power will allow trade to bloom. We go far when we go together… or in this case, we grow far when we grow together, further reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the expansion of trade in East Africa.

In 2022, Kenya was ranked as the fourth biggest exporter of cut-flowers in the world, with 6% of global cut-flower exports. Ethiopia is the second largest cut flower producer in Africa, making up 23% of Sub-Saharan African exports. In 2023, the value of trade in cut flowers between the UK from Ethiopia was valued at £12.6m, Rwanda at £727,000, £839,000 from Tanzania, and £1.1m from Uganda.

Notes to editors

The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) on cut flowers will be suspended for two years from 11 April 2024 to 30 June 2026. It allows for unlimited quantities of flowers to enter the UK, particularly if they transit through a third country or the flower auctions in the Netherlands – where previously an 8% UKGT would apply.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 April 2024.

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

Thank you, President. I thank SRSG Ruiz Massieu and Ms Sánchez for briefing us today and I welcome Foreign Minister Murillo to our meeting. I would also like to thank the Colombian government for hosting the Security Council in February. The visit was an important opportunity to see firsthand the progress, and challenges, on the ground and to demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable peace in Colombia.

President, the 2016 Peace Agreement is a roadmap to achieve peace and security through territorial transformation. We welcome the government’s commitment to full implementation, one of the key messages we heard during our visit. We encourage the government to make full use of the 2016 peace architecture to deliver against the commitments made in the agreement. The “Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement”, is an important mechanism for driving this progress, and we look forward to seeing it continue to meet, with sustained energy and commitment from all sides.

We welcome the government’s commitment to rural reform, including the announcement of $8 million for the Rural Women’s Development Fund.

As set out by Ms Sanchez, violence and criminality – including the killings of former combatants, social leaders, human rights defenders, and members of the LGBTQ community – continue to undermine the implementation of the agreement. We call on the government to take urgent steps to address this, including further support for prevention and protection measures, and redoubling efforts to tackle impunity.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace has a central role to play, as part of the transitional justice architecture established in the Peace Agreement. And I welcome the presence of Roberto Vidal, the Head of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

As the Secretary-General notes in his report, concerns have been raised by former members of the FARC-EP Secretariat about the scope of the Jurisdiction’s work. We encourage the parties to address their differences through constructive, open dialogue.

With respect to current peace dialogues, we welcome the extension of the ceasefire with the ELN and progress on releasing detainees. We now call on the ELN to deliver on its commitments to protect civilian populations, respect international humanitarian law, and move ahead with a broader political process.

We condemn recent attacks by the group referred to as the Estado Mayor Central on both civilian populations and security forces. These attacks call into question its commitment to pursue dialogue instead of violence.  We call on the group to demonstrate a genuine will to work for peace.

President, in the words of the SRSG, let 2024 be the year of implementation. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting broad and lasting peace in Colombia.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 April 2024.

UK attends launch of new quality certification scheme at OECD Headquarters in Paris to address infrastructure gap in emerging markets.

Today (9 April), Australia, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, jointly announced the establishment of the Blue Dot Network at the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). The Blue Dot Network is an initiative to certify infrastructure projects that meet or exceed established standards of quality and sustainability.

The Secretariat will oversee the Blue Dot Network voluntary framework to certify infrastructure projects that meet internationally recognised standards for financial transparency, economic, environmental and social sustainability, climate resilience, and inclusiveness. This initiative was created to unlock additional private sector financing, recognising that quality infrastructure is a critical driver of sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

The OECD and Blue Dot Network steering committee – comprising Australia, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States – officially launched the Blue Dot Network at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, France, and welcomed that Türkiye accepted the invitation to join the steering committee.

On April 8, CEOs and senior government leaders demonstrated their support by participating in a leaders’ dialogue to discuss how the Blue Dot Network can attract private sector investment into emerging markets to bridge the global infrastructure investment gap. Government officials and members of the Blue Dot Network’s Executive Consultation Group – representing over 200 organisations from the private sector, civil society, and academia – attended.

For further information, see https://www.bluedot-network.org/.

Background

• Australia, Japan and the United States are the founding members of the Blue Dot Network. The United Kingdom was the first country to join after the initiative was created in 2019. Spain, Switzerland and Türkiye have also since joined. Together, these seven countries are the ‘governing members’.
• UK businesses and financial institutions are part of the Blue Dot Network’s executive committee and provide technical expertise. Any interested organisation can join.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 April 2024.

The Foreign Secretary will travel to Washington DC to urge US partners to unlock additional funding for Ukraine, giving them the tools they need to win its war with Russia.

The Foreign Secretary will travel to Washington DC today (Tuesday 9 April) to urge US partners to unlock additional funding for Ukraine, giving them the tools they need to win its war with Russia.

He will hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the UK’s continued support for Ukraine against Russian aggression which aims to redraw European borders by force. He will engage with key figures across Congress to call for them to change the narrative on Ukraine this year and provide the extra $60bn (over £47.5 billion) in supplementary funding that’s going through Congress.

Over $184 billion (over £145 billion) has already been committed to Ukraine by European nations including over $15 billion (nearly £12 billion) from the UK, in addition to the nearly $74 billion (nearly £59 billion) already committed by the US – which is making a huge difference on the battlefields of Ukraine and the waters of the Black Sea. Ukraine has proven time and time again that with the right tools it can succeed.

The Foreign Secretary will reassert the importance of stepping up economic pressure on Russia now and continuing to give Ukraine the military and humanitarian support it needs to hold the line this year and go on the offensive in 2025.

David Cameron will highlight how Europe and the US are united in their support for Ukraine, with European countries providing more than half of the total support. He will emphasise that nothing can match the pace and scale of US support which remains “the key stone in the arch” in the fight for freedom, democracy and the right of free countries to choose their own future.

The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron said:

Success for Ukraine and failure for Putin are vital for American and European security.

This will show that borders matter, that aggression doesn’t pay and that countries like Ukraine are free to choose their own future.

The alternative would only encourage Putin in further attempts to re-draw European borders by force, and would be heard clearly in Beijing, Tehran and North Korea.

US support for Ukraine has massively degraded the military capacity of a common adversary, Russia has lost half of its pre-invasion land combat power, and a quarter of its original Black Sea fleet, while creating jobs at home and strengthening the Western alliance and NATO.

Two years on from Russia’s illegal invasion, it’s more important than ever that as NATO allies, the UK and US continue to defend its shared values, including by upholding Euro-Atlantic security. The visit will build on the strong ties between the US and the UK and our shared commitment to defending freedom and democracy around the world.

While Ukraine continues to make gains against Russia, they are increasingly being overmatched by Russian artillery on the battlefield, underlining the importance of agreeing further US support.

Talks will also focus on the Middle East, including the path to a sustainable ceasefire and the delivery of greater quantities of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Six months on from the 7 October attacks, the UK and US have stood united in their support for Israel who suffered the worst terror attack in its history at the hands of Hamas and have been clear in Israel’s right to self-defence in accordance with international law.

The Foreign Secretary will continue to push for a full, urgent, and transparent investigation into the terrible events in Gaza last week, which saw 3 British aid workers lose their lives. He will underline that the deaths of World Central Kitchen humanitarian workers are completely unacceptable and that major changes need to be made to ensure the safety of aid workers on the ground.

Alongside the US, the UK and other partners recently announced plans for the opening of a maritime route, which will see aid delivered by sea to a new temporary US military pier in Gaza, through a maritime corridor from Cyprus. Partners including the United Nations, Cyprus, European Commission, the UAE, Qatar, Germany, Greece, Italy and The Netherlands, have joined the UK and the US in the creation of the route.

The Foreign Secretary also will reinforce UK support for the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti by announcing a £5 million contribution to its deployment. The MSS, working with the Haitian National Police, will help to tackle gang-related violence which is destabilising the country, worsening the humanitarian situation and causing daily pain and suffering to the people of Haiti. He will emphasise that a Haitian-led political solution is the only way to tackle this insecurity head on and long-term.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly debate on Gaza.

President, Sunday marked six months since Israel suffered the worst terror attack in its history. Six months that over 100 innocent hostages continue to be held by Hamas in Gaza. The UK condemns the October 7th attacks unequivocally and calls for the unconditional and immediate release of all the hostages.

Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with international humanitarian law, as we have said from the outset.

President, over 200 aid workers have died, over 33,000 Palestinian civilians, including 12,000 children have died. Civilians in Gaza are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis. There must be a reduction in civilian casualties.

President, I wish to make three points:

First, we need to see an immediate humanitarian pause, leading to a sustainable ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life. This is the fastest way to get the hostages out, and much needed aid in. Security Council resolution 2728 called for that, and we call on all parties to implement its provisions urgently. We welcome the ongoing negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the US to this end.

Second, more must be done to ensure significantly more live-saving aid reaches people in need in Gaza. We have reiterated the need for Israel to put in place an effective deconfliction mechanism immediately and urgently scale up humanitarian access.

Israel has committed to significant steps to increase the amount of aid getting into Gaza, including allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Port of Ashdod and the Erez checkpoint. For a long time, the UK has urged Israel to take these steps and they are welcome.

We also need to see an improvement in the operating environment within Gaza, so that as more aid gets in, it can be distributed quickly and effectively. We are calling on Israel to make progress on the UN’s minimal operating requirements, including more visas and driver approvals and more trucks permitted to cross into Gaza.

For our part, the UK has trebled our aid commitment this financial year. We will keep doing everything we can to get more aid in by land, sea, and air to reach people in desperate need in Gaza.

Thirdly, finally, we need to focus on the vital elements for a lasting peace. These include the release of all hostages; the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza accompanied by an international support package; removing Hamas’s capacity to launch attacks against Israel; Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza; and a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.

Thank you.

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

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

Thank you President and thank you Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Wsornu for your briefing. We are grateful for all the work you and your teams are doing to bring sustainable peace and humanitarian relief to the Yemeni people.

President, since we last met, the Houthis have continued their reckless attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

The UK offers our condolences to the families of the innocent crew killed and injured during their recent attack on the MV TRUE CONFIDENCE, targeted while en-route from China to Saudi Arabia.

In recent days, similar actions have resulted in the sinking of the fertiliser laden MV RUBYMAR and continue to risk exacerbating the humanitarian crisis Yemen. These attacks are impacting all of us. Ships from around the world are being targeted.

It has also been more than 100 days since the seizure of MV GALAXY LEADER and its crew, who continue to be unlawfully detained. We call for the immediate release of the vessel and her crew.

The Houthis alone are risking further escalation.

The United Kingdom condemns these abhorrent attacks and we call on the Houthis to stop the attacks, to respect the freedom of navigation of all vessels, and to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea.

President, today the Council will hear an update from the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism, UNVIM, which monitors ships entering Yemeni ports.

The inspection of vessels is fundamental to interrupting illicit arms entering Houthi-controlled areas, while preserving the flow of goods into Yemen. Nearly 90% of all food in Yemen comes through commercial imports so maintaining the integrity of these ports is vital.

Reports of Iranian ships circumventing these inspections are therefore extremely concerning. The UK calls on Iran to cease its unlawful support for the Houthis. All ships entering Hudaydah must comply and report to UNVIM for inspection.

We recommit our support to UNVIM, so it has the necessary capacity and funding to ensure Yemenis have access to essential goods while abating the smuggling of illicit arms.

Finally, President, the peace process in Yemen remains critical, as Special Envoy Grundberg has set out. We urge all stakeholders and parties to the conflict to prioritise the peace process and build on the progress made by the Special Envoy. This is the best opportunity for sustainable peace in Yemen in nine years. We must take it.