Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2025.

The Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union Commission, the United Nations, and the United Kingdom have issued a summary following the High-Level Financing Event for The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which took place on 25 September 2025.

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations (UN), and the United Kingdom (UK), jointly convened a High-Level Financing Event for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 25 September 2025.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to Somalia’s security transition and to the principle of Somali ownership. Participants recognized the vital role of AUSSOM in supporting Somali Security Forces in combatting Al-Shabaab, protecting population centres, securing main supply routes, and sustaining stabilisation efforts.

Participants expressed their deep appreciation to the African Union Troop and Police Contributing Countries (TCCs/PCCs) for their invaluable sacrifices and commitment. They paid tribute to the bravery of their forces and honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of peace and stability in Somalia. They further underscored the important role played by the European Union in its financial contributions over the years to the African Union, and the TCCs/PCCs in their efforts to support stabilisation in Somalia.

This High-Level Event built on the Somalia Security Conference of December 2023, which endorsed the Somali Security Development Plan (SSDP) as the guiding framework for Somalia’s security trajectory. The FGS and AU reiterated the need to resource the SSDP and to ensure continued alignment with the AUSSOM Strategic Concept of Operations.

The meeting acknowledged Somalia’s significant progress in recent years under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, including:

• Security: Somali Security Forces efforts in maintaining the momentum in its fight against Al-Shabaab with the support of African Union troops, recovery of strategic territory, and securing of vital infrastructure and supply routes;
• Governance and accountability: reforms in public financial management, payroll systems, and transparency measures;
• Stabilisation and reconciliation: delivery of quick-impact projects, local reconciliation initiatives, and restoration of governance in newly recovered areas;
• Regional leadership: enhanced cooperation with neighbours and regional organisations, positioning Somalia as a constructive partner in peace and integration.

Despite the progress achieved, participants noted the serious risks to Somalia’s security transition if predictable and sufficient financing is not secured. Without predictable and urgent support:

• Gains made against Al-Shabaab could be reversed;
• Main Supply routes and newly recovered areas remain vulnerable;
• Stabilisation and governance delivery are at risk of stalling.

Participants stressed that AUSSOM’s sustainability depends on closing the current financing gap, which remains substantial.

Participants frequently called for traditional and new donors to secure adequate, predictable, sustainable and flexible funding for AUSSOM, to support implementation of the mission’s full mandate throughout the remainder of the transition period. They further welcomed pledges towards the mission’s costs.

The African Union announced a financial pledge of USD 20 million in support of AUSSOM’s 2025 operations. In addition, the AU committed to provide personnel and logistical enablers to strengthen operational effectiveness, while reaffirming its political solidarity and leadership role in Somalia’s stabilisation.

The United Kingdom announced a financial pledge of GBP 16.5 million in support of AUSSOM’s 2025 operations, reaffirming its longstanding partnership with Somalia and commitment to burden-sharing.

Other participants announced current and forthcoming pledges, including the Republic of Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Spain. The European Union looked forward to announcing specific support to the military component of AUSSOM in the near future.

Looking ahead, participants discussed the need to maintain momentum and to further consolidate financing and political support for AUSSOM and Somalia. The co-chairs welcomed proposals for future initiatives, to continue working towards broadening the donor base and securing multiyear financing for AUSSOM and outlining a longer-term partnership architecture for Somalia’s security and stabilisation.

The Federal Government of Somalia emphasized that the success of AUSSOM is not only a Somali imperative but also central to regional and global security. The co-chairs reaffirmed their determination to ensure accountability, transparency, and the effective use of resources entrusted to the mission, while working with partners to design mechanisms that guarantee long-term sustainability and Somali ownership.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2025.

Statement following the meeting of the G7+ Special Representatives for Afghanistan on 29-30 September 2025.

Special Representatives for Afghanistan and representatives from Australia, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States met in London on 29-30 September 2025. The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Political) and current Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan, Georgette Gagnon, also briefed the group. The UK, as the current Chair of the group, presents the following summary:

1. Participants noted relevant UNSC resolutions on Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan amidst ongoing humanitarian, economic, and political challenges, emphasising the importance of coordinated international engagement and, for those who contribute aid, to ensure it reaches the most vulnerable Afghans.
2. The group expressed concern over the persistent terrorist threat and cross-border migration security challenges emanating from Afghanistan. They acknowledged the important role regional actors were playing on this matter and discussed what more could be done to cooperate on counterterrorism issues, and safeguard all from terrorism originating from Afghan soil.
3. All expressed their deep concern about the Taliban’s continued denial of the most basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Afghan population, especially Afghan women and girls, such as limiting their access to education, employment, healthcare and public life, as well as the recent restriction on female Afghan staff accessing UN compounds. They reiterated the need for the Taliban to comply with their international obligations. 
4. The group also expressed alarm regarding the Taliban’s shutdown of internet services and the detrimental impact this will have on Afghans’ access to the outside world, the delivery of vital aid, and wider Afghan economy. They called for the full restoration of internet access for all Afghans.
5. The humanitarian crisis, including September’s devastating earthquake, the impact of large-scale deportations of Afghans from neighbouring countries, and the urgent need to pre-position resources ahead of winter, was discussed. The important role of International Financial Institutions, such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, in sustaining basic services across Afghanistan was also noted.
6. Recalling the most recent update to the UN Security Council on 17 September, participants reviewed the UN-led process known as the ‘Comprehensive Approach’. The group discussed the need for effective coordination within the UN system and expressed hope that the Secretary-General and the new SRSG, once appointed, will pay full attention to advancing these efforts in a unified UN approach on Afghanistan.
7. The group underlined the importance of this being an inclusive Afghan process, as ultimately political pluralism and inclusive governance are required for Afghanistan to truly succeed. Lastly, they stressed the need for the Taliban to demonstrate more willingness to engage constructively and in good faith with the international community.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 October 2025.

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

The United Kingdom voted in favour of the draft Security Council resolution proposed for adoption on 18 September, in line with our longstanding demand for urgent action to address the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza, bring the hostages home and end the conflict.

 Since Hamas’ atrocities of October 7, hostages have been held in unimaginable conditions in Gaza. 

We reiterate our condemnation of Hamas and its terrorist ideology.

Hamas must have no role in the future of Gaza – they need to disarm and end their rule.

However, the path to peace must be through dialogue and diplomacy, not further bloodshed.

The UK condemns Israel’s reckless expansion of its military operation which has already cost the lives of 65,000 Palestinians.

We are witnessing an entirely man-made famine in Gaza, and are shocked by images of starving Palestinians killed while desperately seeking scraps of food for their families.

This is abhorrent.

We urge Israel to ensure the protection of civilians, and immediately lift its restrictions on the entry of aid, to allow the UN and humanitarian agencies to save lives, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

As my Prime Minister said this week, we welcome US efforts to develop a plan for sustainable peace.

We call on all sides to come together and to work with the US Administration to finalise this agreement and bring it into reality.

Hamas should now agree to the plan and end the misery, by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages. 

Together with our international partners, we will continue work to achieve consensus on a permanent end to the conflict and a pathway towards a peaceful future.

The UK’s historic recognition of the state of Palestine last week is part of our commitment to protecting the viability of a two-state solution – the only path to a just and lasting peace and to security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 September 2025.

Ambassador Holland says that recent Russian airspace violations are part of a wider pattern of behaviour that seeks to test NATO’s resolve and distract from Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine. The UK demands an honest response from Russia. In the OSCE, credibility matters.

Thank you, Madame Chair. Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression war in Ukraine continues. I want to be clear to begin with that the international community should not allow Russia’s provocations elsewhere to distract from the urgent need to end this war.

That said, the United Kingdom remains gravely concerned by the dangerous violations of NATO airspace by Russian military aircraft, including the most recent incursions into the sovereign airspace of Estonia. These actions should not be considered in isolation. They are part of a wider pattern of increasingly irresponsible Russian behaviour that seeks to test NATO’s resolve and distract from Russia’s ongoing illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russia continues to engage in reckless manoeuvres that risk escalation and undermine regional security. Let us be clear: NATO is a defensive alliance. Its purpose is to protect, not provoke. That is why the UK has contributed to EASTERN SENTRY to bolster NATO’s security along our entire Eastern Flank. Russia should be in no doubt that NATO and Allies will employ all necessary military and non-military tools, in accordance with international law, to defend ourselves and deter all threats in a manner, timing and domain of our choosing.

The FSC is mandated to foster military-to-military dialogue, build confidence and reduce risk of escalation between States. If Russia truly wishes to engage in meaningful dialogue, then full and honest participation in these organisations is the obvious mechanism. The UK will continue to ask constructive questions, but we expect honest and direct answers. If direct answers and participation in good faith are not forthcoming, then it will be clear that Russia continues to hide behind misinformation and false narratives. Madame Chair, in this forum, credibility matters.

At last week’s Opening Session of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), the United Kingdom asked Russia whether they would directly confirm responsibility for the other airspace violations observed in Poland on 9th September. Russia did not respond directly. So, in this spirit we ask again about this violation. If the Russian delegation requires more time to secure an accurate response from Moscow, then we encourage them to do so. We will ask again next week. Our questions are (again):

Firstly, if the incursions are unintentional, what steps is Russia taking to prevent recurrence?

And secondly, if they are in fact deliberate, what is Russia’s intent?

Additionally, will Russia commit to preventing future incursions including assuring NATO members that such violations will cease?

The United Kingdom stands firmly with Ukraine and with our NATO Allies. We will not be deterred by Russia’s irresponsible acts. We will continue to fully support Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence. And we will continue to demand accountability for violations of international law, whether in the skies over Europe or on the ground in Ukraine. Thank you, Madame Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2025.

UK and partners call on Israel to restore the medical corridor to the West Bank for vital healthcare.

As the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip continues to unfold, there is an urgent need to scale up medical treatment of patients from Gaza.

We, the undersigned, stand ready to provide support in the form of e.g. financial contributions, provision of medical staff or equipment needed for the treatment of patients from Gaza in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

We strongly appeal to Israel to restore the medical corridor to the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, so medical evacuations from Gaza can be resumed and patients can get the treatment that they so urgently need on Palestinian territory.

We furthermore urge Israel to lift restrictions on deliveries of medicine and medical equipment to Gaza in line with Israel’s obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law; to urgently and fully enable the UN and other humanitarian partners to do their life-saving work in Gaza; and in line with UN Security Council resolution 2286 (2016) to ensure that medical personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties are respected and protected, their safe and unimpeded passage is facilitated, along with their equipment, transport, and supplies.

This statement has been signed by:

• The Foreign Ministers of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
• The Ministers of Development Cooperation of Finland and the Netherlands
• The EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2025.

UK Statement for the Item 4 General Debate. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

Thank you Mr Vice President,

The Taliban continue their assault on the rights of the Afghan people. Women and girls are barred from education and most employment, and face severe restrictions on nearly all aspects of their lives. Religious minorities are persecuted, journalists and activists face intimidation, and arbitrary detentions, torture, and public executions continue. We urge the Taliban to respect the rights of all Afghans.

In Iran, the arrest of over 20,000 people since the 12-day war in June is of serious concern. Many of these arrests are a means to scapegoat and target already marginalised groups, including members of the Baluchi and Kurdish ethnic minorities, and Baha’i, Christian and Jewish religious minorities. The continued use of the death penalty as a political tool is appalling and we reiterate that we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances.

In China, we remain deeply concerned about religious and cultural restrictions in Tibet, unjust detention of activists like Sophia Huang, and widespread censorship and surveillance. China must honour its human rights commitments and restore fundamental freedoms. In Hong Kong, we take reports about Jimmy Lai’s health conditions very seriously. We continue to press for an independent assessment. Jimmy Lai’s prosecution is politically motivated; he should be released.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2025.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on Nicaragua. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

We are grateful to the High Commissioner for his report.

The continued deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua is deeply concerning. The report reinforces the need for sustained international scrutiny of the systemic dismantling of democratic institutions and repression of civil liberties.

The Nicaraguan authorities’ regrettable decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council and other international human rights mechanisms must not deter that scrutiny.

The arbitrary expulsion of citizens, denial of re-entry, and deprivation of nationality are unacceptable and must end. 

Moreover, the reformed cybercrime law will enable the arbitrary criminalisation of peaceful expression, contributing to a climate of fear, censorship and of intimidation particularly for journalists in Nicaragua.

The report also sheds further light on violations of the rights of indigenous peoples and people of African descent, as well as evidence of the suppression of religious freedom.

To the Office of the High Commissioner,

We would welcome your views on how the international community can best support implementation of your recommendations and ensure accountability for these serious violations.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2025.

Statement by The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, at the UN Security Council meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Yesterday, alongside other ministers here in New York this week, I hosted a session to hear from doctors who have recently returned from Gaza, and the stories they told will stay with me forever.

One told of the screams of toddlers. And a scream of a toddler who she had operated on without full anaesthetics, and how she hoped and prayed that he would not feel pain.

Another told of the seriously malnourished pregnant women, affecting their babies.

And they talked about doctors and nurses whose family members were killed, but who still came back to work in hospitals in unimaginable conditions to help others.

And they told of how the absolute basics of modern medicine, like antibiotics and anaesthetics, things that we around this Council table take for granted for ourselves and our loved ones, were unavailable. Blocked and denied.

And we say the words “humanitarian crisis,” but this is what it means: the pain and the screams of a toddler who cannot get the basic health care that they need. 

And only 18 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza now remain open – all of them struggling to operate amidst severe shortages of fuel, medicine, equipment, and staff.

Over 1,700 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza, more than 300 detained. This is what the catastrophic collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system looks like. 

And as we are gathered here, Israeli forces are escalating the conflict in Gaza City, pounding more homes into rubble, sending frightened families scattering. 

It is incomprehensible. It is inhumane. It is utterly unjustifiable. And it must end. 

All that this action from the Israeli Government will do is make a catastrophic humanitarian situation worse.

More healthcare in crisis.

Harder than ever to get desperately needed aid to those who need it.

More innocent children enduring a man-made famine.

More civilians killed.

But making it harder to get the remaining hostages out.

Hostages who are still being held, who were seized by Hamas on the barbaric terrorist attack of October 7th  and are still being held in the most horrendous conditions, prolonging the anguish for their families, and I reiterate our condemnation of Hamas and that barbaric terrorism on October 7th. 

I met with some of the UK-linked hostage families again last week. Their ask of all of us is to keep the hostages at the forefront of our minds, to do everything we can, to give their loved ones the chance of coming home, and to achieve a ceasefire that gives them the chance to do that.

And that must be our task.

We know what needs to be done. We need a ceasefire now. We need the release of all the hostages. We need the immediate restoration of aid and support for medical care. And we need a broader framework for the lasting peace. 

And I welcome and support mediation efforts being made by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to seek an end to conflict and to seek peace. 

We know too that Gaza cannot be seen in isolation from the West Bank. The Israeli government is tightening its stranglehold on the Palestinian economy and continuing to approve illegal settlement construction, including just recently in the E1 area of East Jerusalem, which is a further blow to the viability of the two-state solution, and we urge Israel to reverse these plans.

After two years of bloodshed, I believe the world is united in wanting this awful war to end.

United in wanting all the hostages released.

United in rejection of any role for Hamas in the future of Gaza or the future of a Palestinian state.

United in wanting Israel to unblock aid and end the humanitarian catastrophe.

And united in wanting a better and more peaceful future for the region, with the reconstruction of Gaza, the dignity for its people, and a new era of relations to support their collective security.

And that future must be based on a two-state solution.

The UK’s historic recognition of the state of Palestine this week is part of our commitment to peace.

Part of acting to protect the viability of the two-state solution as the only path to a just and lasting peace and to security for Palestinians and Israelis alike. 

Part of rejecting extremist ideas on all sides, which involve too often fantasies of the destruction of the State of Israel or expulsion of the Palestinian population, we reject both of those.

And part of our wider effort to work with partners on a long-term peace, not just to halt the immediate crisis but an advance a pragmatic plan for what comes next.

None of this can happen without an immediate ceasefire, and that is where all of this has to start. 

One of the doctors yesterday described the impact on children of growing up in trauma and devastation. And those will be the consequences on generations to come if we do not act now. 

We owe it to all of those children growing up in Gaza, across Palestine, across Israel. 

We owe it to all of them to build a better future.

The time for peace is now.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2025.

Syria Core Group Statement for the Item 4 General Debate. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Mr President,

This statement is made on behalf of six countries.

In April, this Council renewed the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria by a landmark consensus. The Commission continues to fulfil an important role to document human rights violations and abuses across the country. We appreciate the Syrian government’s facilitation and welcome the Commission’s report on the violence in the coastal region.

We welcome positive steps made by the government. Their investigation into the coastal violence, and the establishment of the Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons, are important steps towards justice and reconciliation.

However, challenges remain. The violence in Suwayda in July was horrific; attacks that threaten the peace, stability and territorial integrity of Syria are unacceptable. We welcome the establishment of an investigatory committee and the efforts to develop a roadmap to address the crisis in Suwayda as agreed by Syria, Jordan and the United States. 

Transparent and tangible action against all perpetrators is required. The justice system must serve all Syrians, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. We note the role that the OHCHR, the IIIM and IIMP can play, and encourage further cooperation to complement national efforts. 

We reaffirm our strong commitment to the full respect of the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. Now is the time to take the steps for an inclusive political process, which brings accountability and justice to all.

Thank you.