Tag: Foreign Office

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

The UK announces more than 50 new sanctions to mark 2 years since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, has today (22 February) announced more than 50 new sanctions targeting individuals and businesses sustaining Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Sanctions crack down on those supplying his depleted armoury with munitions such as rocket launch systems, missiles and explosives.

These new sanctions also target key sources of Russian revenue, clamping down on metals, diamonds, and energy trade, and cutting off funding for Putin’s illegal war from every angle.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

Ukraine has shown that it can and will defend itself. Putin mistakenly thought that because Russia’s economy is bigger than Ukraine’s, he would gain a quick victory. But the economies of Ukraine’s friends are 25 times bigger than Russia’s.

And 2 years on, we stand united in support for Ukraine.

Our international economic pressure means Russia cannot afford this illegal invasion. Our sanctions are starving Putin of the resources he desperately needs to fund his struggling war.

Together, we will not let up in the face of tyranny. We will continue to support Ukraine as it fights for democracy- for as long as it takes.

Today’s measures will disrupt Putin’s ability to equip his now struggling military with high tech equipment and much needed weaponry, as well as blocking him from refilling his war coffers – while Ukraine defends itself.

This round of designations serves as a clear signal that 2 years on, the UK stands united with our allies in unwavering support for Ukraine.

Today’s package forms part of wider UK action to restrict Putin’s war revenue streams and clamp down on his repeated attempts to evade western sanctions. We are preparing to bolster our existing powers to target malign Russian shipping activity and individual ‘shadow fleet’ vessels used by Russia to soften the blow of oil-related sanctions imposed by the UK alongside G7 partners.

This week new measures to strengthen the existing Oil Price Cap also came into force and we have expanded the list of items critical to Russia’s war machine that we are seeking to prevent getting to Russia.

The UK also launches its first sanctions strategy today, which sets out how our sanctions regimes are tackling malign activity and making a difference. We are in a more dangerous and uncertain world. Our latest Russia sanctions are one example of how our enhanced approach to sanctions enables us to respond. The new strategy sets out how we are working with allies and partners to address changing threats, to maximise our impact on the ground and to protect the UK.

This comes as Foreign Secretary David Cameron is due to visit New York for a special UN session dedicated to Ukraine. While there, he is expected to meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. His visit will mark the 2-year milestone of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, and he is expected to underscore the UK’s unending support for Ukraine.

Among those sanctioned today are:

• companies linked to manufacturing munitions such as rocket launch systems, missiles, explosives and other critical goods used in military equipment. This includes Sverdlov State Owned Enterprise, the largest enterprise in the Russian ammunition industry
• key Russian importers and manufacturers of machine tools, which are instrumental in manufacturing vital defence systems and components ranging from missiles and engines to tanks and fighter jets
• oil trader Niels Troost and his company Paramount Energy & Commodities SA. Troost facilitates the unfettered trade of Russian oil outside the reach of UK and G7 sanctions, including through UAE-based Paramount Energy & Commodities DMCC, which the UK designated in November 2023
• Fractal Marine DMCC, Beks Ship Management, and Active Shipping, which operate in the Russian energy sector as part of Putin’s shadow fleet
• 2 Russian diamond companies and Pavel Alekseevich Marinychev, the new CEO of Alrosa, the largest state-owned Russian diamond producer, estimated to hold a 30% share in the global diamond market
• 5 senior executives or owners of Russia’s top producers of copper, zinc and steel

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

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

Thank you, President, and let me echo your appreciation to the Government of Colombia, the UN Secretariat, the United Nations Verification Mission led by SRSG Ruiz Massieu and to all the interlocutors we engaged with in Columbia.

I’d also like to thank my co-leads Guyana Presidency and Switzerland for their close cooperation throughout the visit. And I’ll reflect upon the sessions led by the United Kingdom.

In Bogota, the Security Council heard firm commitment as you said President, to the 2016 Peace Agreement and the importance of security guarantees for former combatants from Government entities in charge of peace implementation.

The Council also met with the High Commissioner for Peace, Otty Patiño, to discuss the Government’s vision to broaden peace through dialogue. It was an opportune moment to discuss the ELN process given the recent ceasefire extension, which we mandated the Mission to monitor. The Council discussed the dialogue with the EMC which we’ve indicated a willingness to consider mandating the UN to support.

The High Commissioner shared his vision of territorial transformation, extending the state’s presence in rural areas which you referred to,  and the importance of peace delivering benefits such as schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. The Council welcomed efforts to strengthen the humanitarian provisions of the ceasefires and encouraged further steps to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population.

In our meeting with the signatories to the Peace Agreement in Agua Bonita, we welcomed their unwavering commitment to peace and also we met them in Bogota. The signatories called on the Government to accelerate the implementation of the Agreement including by appointing an entity at the highest level to coordinate efforts.

The Council shared concern about former combatants’ insecurity and the 418 former combatants killed since the signing of the Agreement. We encouraged the Government to accelerate efforts to develop rapid protection plans.

As you mentioned President, we also went to Buenaventura, and just to add to what you said, I think it’s worth saying that five years ago, the Council was unable to meet a female community leader because of fears for her security, and this time that very same leader – who is now the Vice President – accompanied us to her region, which I think shows the extent of the transformation underway in Colombia.

This was an opportunity as you said President,  for Council members to focus on the Ethnic Chapter and to hear first-hand from those whose daily work focuses on building peace at local levels. And the Council also heard from youth representatives to understand their daily reality and their calls for educational and economic opportunities.

As you said President, everywhere we saw the UN Verification Mission, UN agencies, Colombian Government, communities, and individuals working together to build sustainable peace. Peace is not an abstract concept – it’s a real social cause which is a whole of society effort.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young at the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34).

Thank you Chair.

As we have clearly heard today, peacekeeping remains a vital tool to reduce global conflict and create stability. But as peacekeeping faces new and systemic challenges, it must continue to adapt and evolve.

We have made great progress in implementing the Action for Peacekeeping initiative and Action for Peacekeeping Plus priorities, which remains the key overarching reform framework, but there is more to be done to ensure that peacekeeping is fit for the future. As we start this year’s session, I would like to stress three points.

First, we underline the importance of partnership and collaboration, as well as political support and consent, in the effective delivery of mandates and well-planned transitions.

Missions continue to suffer from restrictions on freedom of movement and of violations of Status of Forces Agreements, including in the Central African Republic, Lebanon and Western Sahara.

Sustainable transitions require UN structures and the host government’s peace and security architecture to work together. It is the people on the ground who suffer most when host governments fail to support a sustainable transition, and there are significant risks in how we safeguard the protection of civilians during withdrawals.

Second, we must ensure all peacekeepers have the necessary training and capabilities, including the right medical capabilities, to meet the challenges of today and deliver their mandates.

Among these challenges, misinformation and disinformation is growing and puts the safety and security of our peacekeepers at risk.

Effective strategic communications are essential enablers of mandate delivery and it is vital that we continue to use tools such as the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System, now rolled out in all missions, to their fullest extent and find ways to apply data in decision-making.

Third, we should recognise the progress made on Women, Peace and Security issues and commit to fully representative and safe operations. A growing number of Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries have shown significant increases in the number of their women personnel.

But there is much more to be done to ensure women’s participation is meaningful and that women, as part of missions or as civilians, are safe from harassment and abuse.

We urge the UN and Member States to hold themselves to the highest of standards on gender parity, civil society engagement, and countering sexual exploitation and abuse.

The United Kingdom values the work of this Committee in driving forward peacekeeping reform through practical consensus-based recommendations, and we will continue to contribute to improvements in peacekeeping through deployments, extrabudgetary funding and expertise, as set out by the range of our pledges in Ghana at last year’s Peacekeeping Ministerial.

Finally, I want to end by paying tribute to peacekeepers across the globe and to the memory of the brave peacekeepers who lost their lives. We commit to engage in collaborative and constructive discussions over the coming weeks to achieve a substantive report this year.

Thank you Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

Ambassador Neil Holland notes the environmental impacts of Russia’s invasion that have had far-reaching consequences in Ukraine and beyond its borders.

Thank you Chairs. To our keynote speakers, Minister Dalli, Minister Panayiotou and Secretary General, dear Helga, thank you for your remarks. Thank you also to our expert panel.

Before I speak to today’s important topic, it would be remiss of me to not acknowledge the tragic death of Alexi Navalny who dedicated his life to exposing the corruption of the Russian system. It is clear the Russian authorities saw Navalny as a threat, that is why they imprisoned him on fabricated charges, poisoned him with a banned nerve agent and sent him to an Arctic penal colony. No-one should doubt the brutal nature of the Russian system. Our thoughts are with his family, his supporters and the people of Russia. We will revert to this issue at the next Permanent Council.

In addition to acts of internal repression, Russia’s war of aggression has had devastating impacts on the environment, with far-reaching consequences in Ukraine and beyond its borders. At a time of global climate crisis, Russia’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the environmental consequences of war.

We have witnessed the widespread destruction of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, including industrial facilities and energy installations. This has led to severe pollution and environmental degradation which pose threats to both human health and ecosystems across large areas.

While thankfully the risk of radiological release remains low, Russia’s seizure and ongoing occupation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains cause for grave concern. Russia must immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine and return full control of the nuclear facilities at ZNPP to their rightful owner to ensure safe and secure operation, and to minimise the risk of an incident with catastrophic environmental consequences.

The UK sees an undeniable link between climate, nature, and security. Environmental and climate factors can act as both catalysts and multipliers for conflict. And both the environment and our climate can be impacted by military activity.

The growing climate and nature crisis demands that we consider more carefully the environmental impact of military actions. Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss is one of the UK Government’s key international priorities.  It is underpinned by a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The UK Defence establishment is fully committed to playing its part. Climate change is now seen as a whole-of-Defence issue in the UK.

The intersection of gender, conflict, and the environment is a complex and crucial area. Existing gender inequalities mean that the impact of climate change and disasters fall unequally on women and girls. Inequality means that their access to resources is limited and their exposure to disaster-induced risks and losses is increased. Recognising these impacts is essential for sustainable recovery and peace efforts. Women and girls are often excluded from formal systems to address the drivers of climate change yet are key to finding localised solutions.

We welcome this important discussion today. The OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security makes it the right place to discuss the intersection between security and climate. We are grateful to the Secretary General and Chair-in-Office for continuing to make climate security a key theme within the organisation.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 21 February 2024.

The Secretary of State reappointed Michael Birshan and Eleanor Whitley as governors of the British Film Institute.

Michael Birshan

Reappointed for a four year term commencing 17 February 2024.

Michael is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and global co-leader of the firm’s Strategy & Corporate Finance Practice.

Based in London, and previously in San Francisco and Mumbai, Michael has worked with CEOs, boards, and executive teams around the world across a diverse set of industries, as well as institutions in the public and social sectors. He also serves on the Council of the McKinsey Global Institute, which researches economic, business and technology issues. Committed to helping talented leaders succeed as individuals, Michael co-leads McKinsey’s work research on CEO excellence. He writes and speaks widely on strategy, finance, economics, trends, and leadership.

Passionate about education, communication and creativity, Michael is a governor of the Royal College of Art, the world’s top-ranked art and design university, and has been a commissioner of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission that stewards the Marshall Scholarships, a trustee of the World Schools Debating Championships, and a member of the advisory council of King’s Business School. He is also a director of British American Business.

Michael has served as a governor of the BFI for four years and chairs the Finance Committee.

Eleanor Whitley

Reappointed for a four year term commencing 17 February 2024.

Eleanor (Nell) Whitley has a reputation for driving forward ambitious work in a variety of forms – live events, art installations & digital media – her collaborations with Marshmallow Laser Feast (where she is Partner & Executive Producer) demonstrate a unique vision for the future of creative experiences. She has produced the critically acclaimed In the Eyes of the Animal (featured at Sundance & winner of the Wired Award for Innovation in Experience Design) and other mixed reality works, including; Treehugger (Tribeca Film Festival Storyscapes Award & Best VR Film at Arles Festival) and We Live in an Ocean of Air which premiered at the Saatchi Gallery, London winning the British Animation Award for VR. Marshmallow Laser Feast’s work has been included in major exhibitions at institutions including; ACMI, Barbican Centre, YCAM, DDB Seoul, Sundance Film Festival, Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal, SXSW, and Lisbon Architecture Triennale.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Governors of the British Film Institute are not remunerated.

This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Michael Birshan and Eleanor Whitley have not declared any significant political activity.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

The UK and Jordan have worked together to deliver aid by air to Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza.

• joint air-drop delivers life-saving aid to Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza
• vital supplies provided, including essential medicines, fuel and food for patients and staff
• Foreign Secretary reiterates call for an immediate pause in fighting to get more aid into Gaza

The UK and Jordan have air-dropped life-saving aid to a hospital in northern Gaza.

The UK-funded consignment of aid, delivered by the Jordanian Air Force, was dropped earlier today into the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza.

Four tonnes of vital supplies were provided in the air-drop, including medicines, fuel, and food for hospital patients and staff.  The Tal al-Hawa Hospital, set up by the Jordanian Armed Forces, is located in Gaza City and has treated thousands of patients since the start of the crisis.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

We have worked closely with our Jordanian partners to get these life-saving supplies directly to the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza.

Thousands of patients will benefit and the fuel will enable this vital hospital to continue its life saving work.

However, the situation in Gaza is desperate and significantly more aid is needed – and fast. We are calling for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow additional aid into Gaza as quickly as possible and bring hostages home.

Earlier this week, the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation to procure and deliver £1 million worth of UK aid to Gaza, including the critical medicine and fuel included in this flight.

Secretary-General of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), Dr Hussein Shabli, said:

We welcome this partnership with the UK to provide life-saving aid to those who need it most in Gaza. We thank our UK partners for working with us and we will continue to work with them on getting aid into Gaza for as long as its needed.

The Jordanian Armed Forces flight departed earlier today from King Abdullah II Air Base, with the aid being dispatched with ‘J-pad’ GPS trackers to ensure it reached the hospitals safely. The Foreign Secretary’s Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mark Bryson-Richardson, was in Amman to finalise the details of the airdrop.

The UK has trebled our aid commitment to the Occupied Palestinian territories this financial year and we are doing everything we can to get more aid in and open more crossings, including calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out.

Humanitarian needs are particularly acute for people remaining in northern Gaza. A report issued on 20 February by UNICEF and WFP noted that 1 in 6 children under 2 years old in northern Gaza are acutely malnourished.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

Statement by Alternate Political Coordinator Laura Dix at the UN Security Council meeting on Central African Republic.

Thank you, President and SRSG Rugwabiza for your briefing this morning. I’ll make three points.

First, the United Kingdom welcomes the achievements that have come from closer cooperation between MINUSCA and the Central African Republic authorities, following the Council’s reprioritisation of the Mission’s tasks. Commitments by CAR to establish human rights mechanisms to implement the Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation, and prepare for local elections this year, provide a basis for lasting security and prosperity. It is important that the Central African Republic authorities, with the support of MINUSCA, deliver on these commitments.

The United Kingdom urges the Government of Central African Republic to ensure all parties are included in the peace process and in local elections, and fulfil the decentralisation provisions of the Political Agreement. MINUSCA’s good offices role remains central, as ensuring inclusive dialogue at the national and local levels is the only way to address the root causes of conflict.

Second, security in Central African Republic will not come through the wrong partners. The Wagner Group’s human rights abuses against civilians threaten to cause prolonged insecurity and undo MINUSCA’s achievements. There must be accountability for all human rights abuses no matter who commits them. And to that end, the UK requests MINUSCA to ensure its annual human rights reports are shared in a timely manner.

Third, we emphasise that MINUSCA remains central to the pursuit of peace and stability in Central African Republic, and pay tribute to the UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the pursuit of this mission. The effectiveness of MINUSCA depends on strong cooperation with the Government of Central African Republic, including by ensuring freedom of movement for its unmanned aerial vehicles. MINUSCA’s Strategic Review should focus on how the Mission can further prepare for a sustainable transition once conditions are met.

President, the United Kingdom remains committed to working with the Central African Republic authorities to support the people of the Central African Republic achieve long-term stability and prosperity.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

Those in charge of the Arctic penal colony where Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was detained and killed will be banned from the UK and see their assets frozen under new sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary today.

The sanctioned individuals include Vadim Konstantinovich Kalinin, who oversaw the brutal prison camp where Mr Navalny was kept in solitary confinement for up to 2 weeks at a time. Mr Navalny’s condition had deteriorated in his 3 years in prison. Mr Navalny suffered from being denied medical treatment, as well as having to walk in –32C weather while being held in the prison.

The UK is the first country to impose sanctions in response to the death of Mr Navalny, a political prisoner who dedicated his life to exposing the corruption of the Russian system, calling for free and open politics, and holding the Kremlin to account.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

It’s clear that the Russian authorities saw Navalny as a threat and they tried repeatedly to silence him. FSB operatives poisoned him with Novichok in 2020, they imprisoned him for peaceful political activities, and they sent him to an Arctic penal colony. No-one should doubt the oppressive nature of the Russian system.

That’s why we’re today sanctioning the most senior prison officials responsible for his custody in the penal colony where he spent his final months. Those responsible for Navalny’s brutal treatment should be under no illusion – we will hold them accountable.

The following individuals are being sanctioned under the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations for their responsibility for activity that violates the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the right to life. Namely, they are responsible for the custody of Alexei Navalny in their positions as Head or Deputy Head of Arctic Penal Colony IK-3:

• Colonel Vadim Konstantinovich Kalinin: Head of IK-3 Arctic Penal Colony ‘Polar Wolf’
• Lieutenant Colonel Sergey Nikolaevich Korzhov: Deputy Head
• Lieutenant Colonel Vasily Alexandrovich Vydrin: Deputy Head
• Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Ivanovich Pilipchik: Deputy Head
• Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandr Vladimirovich Golyakov: Deputy Head
• Colonel Aleksandr Valerievich Obraztsov: Deputy Head

Following Mr Navalny’s death on Friday, the FCDO summoned a representative of the Russian government to make clear that Alexei Navalny’s death must be investigated fully and transparently, and those in the Russian regime responsible held to account.

Following news that Mr Navalny’s family is being denied access to his body, the UK is also calling for the Russian authorities to release his body to them immediately.

The Foreign Secretary will attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brazil today, where he will use the opportunity to call out Russia’s aggression and its global impact directly to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron met the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 21 February.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary met the Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro today [21 February 2024].

It was a positive meeting, building on the Foreign Secretary’s discussion with President Milei at the World Economic Forum in January during which they agreed to embark on a new era of relations between Argentina and the UK. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Mondino agreed to take this forward by cooperating on areas of mutual interest, such as increased economic and trade links and youth mobility, as well as shared multilateral priorities.

The Foreign Secretary also welcomed Argentina’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Both sides agreed to stand united in continuing to condemn the Russian government’s reprehensible actions, which are an egregious violation of international law and the UN Charter.

On the Falklands Islands, the Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s ongoing support for the Falkland Islanders’ right of self-determination. However, they noted that this would not prevent cooperation on areas that would be mutually beneficial.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 February 2024.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Thomas Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on DRC.

Thank you, President, let me begin by thanking SRSG Keita for her comprehensive briefing today and for the ongoing and important work of MONUSCO and the bravery and commitment of its peacekeepers.  I’d like to make four points today regarding the situation in DRC.

First, let me express the United Kingdom’s deep concern at the worsening violence in eastern DRC. We condemn in the strongest terms the UN-sanctioned M23 armed group’s continued advance. We call on external actors to end their support for violent armed groups in DRC, including M23. We encourage all parties to use their influence over the armed groups in eastern DRC to de-escalate tensions and to deliver a cessation of hostilities.

Second,  let me join SRSG Keita in emphasising the importance of diplomatic dialogue, including through the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. Its vital that parties meaningfully engage with these and take steps to de-escalate tensions,  and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.

Third, we note that UN peacekeepers are facing an increasingly dangerous environment. We urge parties to respect the Mission’s freedom of movement and we reiterate our condemnation of the recent attack on a MONUSCO helicopter in early February. Any attacks on civilians, MONUSCO peacekeepers, UN offices and diplomats are unacceptable. We support efforts to counter mis- and disinformation, which is detrimental to our collective efforts to support peace and reach a diplomatic solution.

Finally, I want to express the United Kingdom’s deep concern at the worsening humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. Violence will just lead to further violence and pose a risk to regional security and stability. We urge all combatants, including regional forces, to respect international humanitarian law and to take active measures to reduce risks to civilians.

Dialogue is key and we urge all parties to come back to the table.

Thank you President.