Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2024.

The UK, US and Australia have sanctioned the Russian leader of cyber-crime gang LockBit.

• UK, US and Australia sanction Russian leader of cyber-crime gang LockBit
• LockBit were one of the most prolific ransomware groups in recent years, responsible for attacks on over 200 UK businesses and major public service providers
• UK and Allies crack down on malicious cyber-criminal activity emanating from Russia that seeks to undermine global integrity, prosperity and security

The UK, US and Australia have today (Tuesday 7 May) sanctioned a senior Russia-based leader of LockBit, once one of the world’s most pernicious cybercrime gangs.

Today’s sanctions target Russian national Dmitry Khoroshev who has been identified, as part of an ongoing international law enforcement investigation, as one of the leaders of LockBit, the ransomware group responsible for extorting over $1 billion from thousands of victims globally.

In February the NCA announced that it had infiltrated the group’s network and taken control of its services, compromising the entire criminal enterprise. The group has attempted to rebuild over the last 2 months, however the NCA assesses that as a result of this investigation, they are currently running at limited capacity and the global threat from LockBit has significantly reduced.

The gang was responsible for 25% of ransomware attacks globally last year, targeting thousands of victims over the years including over 200 UK businesses. LockBit orchestrated a malicious online campaign, illegally stealing and using sensitive data to extract billions of dollars from business and individuals.

Today’s measures will directly target a senior leader of the gang responsible for these atrocious attacks. Khoroshev will now be subject to a series of asset freezes and travel bans.

Sanctions Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Together with our allies we will continue to crack down on hostile cyber activity which is destroying livelihoods and businesses across the world.

In sanctioning one of the leaders of LockBit we are taking direct action against those who continue to threaten global security, while simultaneously exposing the malicious cyber-criminal activity emanating from Russia.

National Crime Agency Director General Graeme Biggar said:

These sanctions are an important moment in our fight against cyber criminals behind the LockBit ransomware group, which is now on its knees following our disruption earlier this year.

They have caused untold damage to schools, hospitals and major companies across the world, who’ve had to pick up the pieces following devastating cyber attacks.

Dmitry Khoroshev thought he was beyond reproach, even offering $10 million to anyone who could reveal his identity, but these actions dispel that myth. Our investigation into LockBit and its affiliates continues and, working with our international partners, we’ll do everything we can to undermine their operations and protect the public.

Eleanor Fairford, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Deputy Director for Incident Management, said:

Ransomware attacks pose a massive threat to UK businesses and their impacts can be severe and long-lasting, disrupting operations and putting potentially sensitive data at risk.

It is crucial organisations ensure they have strong online defences to reduce their risk of falling victim and to protect the information they are responsible for.

Prevention is the most effective mitigation, and we urge all organisations to follow the NCSC’s ⁠ransomware guidance to help protect their networks and improve their resilience to attacks.

The UK has sanctioned Khoroshev as part of our wider commitment to cracking down on malicious cyber activity and working with our international partners to promote international security and stability in cyberspace.

These sanctions have been delivered jointly with Australia and the US and are the latest in our efforts to counter malicious cyber-criminal activity emanating from Russia that seek to undermine the integrity, prosperity and security of the UK and our allies.

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

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum.

Thank you, President.

Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,

We look forward to the Finance for Development conference next year as a pivotal opportunity for us to take stock of progress we’ve made, rally behind new critical collective actions and build consensus on further reforms.

Closing the financing gap to rescue the SDGs matters for all our 2030 Agenda objectives. From eradicating poverty to tackling climate change to promoting peace.

To close the gap, we need a build a bigger, better, and fairer financial system which is more responsive to the needs of developing countries and reflects the realities of the challenges we face today.

Firstly, we need to scale up finance from all sources, including the private sector and from MDBs.

Last week at the Springs, the United Kingdom pledged $125 million in hybrid capital to the World Bank. We did so alongside other donors and through leveraging our collective contributions could unlock an additional $70 billion of World Bank lending over the next decade.

Next, we must go further, including on stretching MDBs’ balance sheets and delivering an ambitious IDA replenishment.

The system must be more effective and shock responsive. We call on all creditors to offer climate resilient debt clauses, which pause debt repayments when disaster strikes, providing space for developing countries to respond.

And finally, it must be fairer too. This means greater representation and voice for the poorest and most vulnerable, including at the World Bank and IMF boards, tackling illicit financial flows, and helping countries access the revenues they are owed from tax.

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

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly debate on the Outer Space Treaty.

On 24 April, the Security Council voted on a resolution tabled by the United States and Japan, which reaffirmed our commitment to the Outer Space Treaty. Thirteen Member States voted in favour. One, the Russian Federation, used its veto.

Outer space belongs to all humankind and space technologies are critical to our daily lives. From using maps and checking the weather on our phones, to international shipping and large-scale disaster risk reduction programmes, the far-reaching applications of space technologies are embedded in all of our economies.

For this reason, we need to protect and regulate the safe use of space, while taking appropriate steps to prevent it becoming the backdrop of the next arms race.

To that end, this draft resolution would have reaffirmed the existing obligation not to place nuclear weapons in orbit around the Earth. It also called on states not to develop nuclear weapons specifically designed for such purposes. After all, if states intend, as they must, to comply with the Outer Space Treaty, they shouldn’t be preparing to breach it.

The detonation of even a single nuclear weapon in space could destroy or permanently damage a significant proportion of satellites in orbit around Earth. The resultant radiation and debris would render many orbits unusable for a very long time. There would be highly disruptive and possibly life-threatening consequences for those essential applications, maps, weather, risk-monitoring, which would affect all states, not least developing nations.

The UK therefore voted in favour of this resolution.

There was nothing in this resolution that any law-abiding state committed to peace and the prevention of an arms race in outer space could reasonably object to.

And yet Russia did.

This is not the first, but the second draft Council resolution on nuclear non-proliferation which Russia has vetoed in just one month.

Russia vetoed the DPRK Panel of Experts’ mandate – despite, or rather, because of the Panel’s proven track record of exposing DPRK’s dangerous nuclear and missile programmes, in violation of Security Council resolutions.

Russia’s actions cannot be interpreted any other way. They are seeking to undermine the global non-proliferation architecture, and this should be of grave concern to us all.

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

Statement from the UK at Slovakia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Madame Vice President.

We welcome the recent steps taken by Slovakia to reduce the  segregation of Roma children from mainstream education, though we note the persistent, systemic discrimination this minority faces.

We are concerned over recent reports that the protection of journalists in Slovakia is deteriorating. Many now face verbal attacks – including from politicians – and physical violence. It is also worrying how frequent the criminal offence of defamation is used to intimidate journalists and media outlets.

The various reported threats to the reproductive and sexual health rights of women in Slovakia is also of concern, especially the legislative attempts to further restrict access to safe abortions.

We recommend that Slovakia:

1. Adopts legislative measures aimed at protecting the safety of journalists and increasing media freedom, including repeal of defamation as a criminal offence.
2. Ensures access to safe abortion by removing legislative and non-legislative barriers, and protecting – rather than restricting – existing rights in the field of sexual and reproductive health.
3. Takes steps to protect journalists and human rights defenders from violence, harassment and intimidation – including from politicians – and to investigate all such incidents to enable such actors to carry out their activities in safe conditions.

Thank you.

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

The UK’s statement at Comoros’ Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

The UK welcomes continued efforts to improve Comoros’ human rights situation, particularly efforts to improve maternal and child mortality rates, women’s rights and combating violence against women.

However, we note the allegations of fraud in relation to Comoros’ recent elections, which have damaged public confidence. We also remain concerned about continued restrictions to civic space and media freedom.

We welcome positive provisions in Comoros’ Family Code but remain concerned by the continued lack of rights and protections for the LGBT+ community, and the continued practice of child marriage.

We recommend that Comoros:

1. Take concrete steps based on open and inclusive public consultations to improve confidence in its electoral institutions, ahead of elections in 2025.
2. Remove restrictions on civic space, including the requirement for prior approval of peaceful demonstrations.
3. Repeal legislation criminalising homosexuality and ensure equal rights and protections for members of the LGBT+ community in Comoros.

Thank you.

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

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

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

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

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

Shaheen Nilofer, UNICEF Kenya Representative, said:

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

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

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

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

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

Notes to Editors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Further information

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

Definitions

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

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

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

A UK government spokesperson said:

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

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

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

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

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

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