Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, delivered the United Kingdom’s statement on 14 December 2023 at the Global Refugee Forum.

High Commissioner. Excellencies. Ladies and gentlemen.

We are living in a time of unprecedented international challenges, with global displacement at extraordinary levels and rising.

In recent years, we have seen countries rally around to support the growing number of refugees around the world. Conflict, pandemics, and climate change have had an enduring impact on us.

But as the challenges increase, so must our efforts.

I want to acknowledge the continued generosity and leadership of host nations and communities. You all play a vital role in providing sanctuary to forcibly displaced people.

Without your leadership, they would be forced to go on dangerous journeys, risking their lives and exploitation from the most vicious people traffickers.

We emphatically believe the Global Compact on Refugees is the best strategy to support refugees and their host communities.

It plays a fundamental part in ensuring the international protection regime is fit for the 21st century. And that it protects the most vulnerable in our communities, including women and girls, the LGBT+ community and those with disabilities.

Since 2015, the UK has provided international protection to over half a million people.

Globally, we are among the top five donors to refugee responses. But we know that is not enough. We need to do more, much more.

The UK has fulfilled each of the pledges that we made back here in 2019. Today, we are going further and making 15 pledges to tackle a whole range of issues such as:

• Improving access to education;
• Tackling gender-based violence;
• Supporting the Rohingya and their host communities;
• Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to predict and prevent conflicts and crises;
• Building resilience of refugee and host communities to climate impacts;
• and providing sustained support to refugees who settle in the UK.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.

The UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Chief Economist, Professor Adnan Khan, visited Timor-Leste on 14 and 15 December 2023 to enhance bilateral collaboration on economic development.

The visit comes just two months after FCDO Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, visited Timor-Leste and became the first UK minister to visit since the country gained independence in 2002.

During his visit, Professor Khan met with the Central Bank Governor Helder Lopes to discuss how the UK can support the development of Timor-Leste’s financial services sector through the ASEAN Economic Integration Programme (AEIP), which launched earlier this year. He also met with Minister for Trade and Industry Filipus Nino Pereira and launched a flagship UK-funded project supporting Timor-Leste’s accession into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

The project will help Timor-Leste develop a nationwide certificate of origin scheme, which will benefit local exporters as the country looks to deepen integration into regional and global value chains. The launch reaffirms the UK’s sustained support for Timor-Leste’s smooth accession into ASEAN. Professor Khan also delivered a lecture at the National University of East Timor to share the UK’s revamped approach on International Development, as reflected in the recently launched white paper titled “International Development in a Contested World: ending extreme poverty and tackling climate change”.

FCDO Chief of Economist Professor Adnan Khan, said:

I was delighted to be in Dili for the first time to launch this important project. Timor-Leste has made huge strides in its WTO accession, and now the UK looks forward to supporting Timor-Leste as it seeks ASEAN accession.

UK Ambassador to Timor-Leste Dominic Jermey said:

The UK is committed to deepening our partnership with Timor-Leste, and I’m delighted that the FCDO’s chief economic Professor Adnan Khan visited Dili recently to discuss ways we can enhance our cooperation. The launch of the ASEAN Economic Community Accession project demonstrates our commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s smooth accession into ASEAN. We look forward to seeing the benefits this project will bring to the Timorese economy.

UK Ambassador to ASEAN Sarah Tiffin said:

As a committed ASEAN Dialogue partner, the UK is committed to assisting Timor-Leste through the process of its accession to ASEAN. The visit by FCDO Chief Economist Professor Adnan Khan to Timor-Leste and the initiation of a UK-funded project dedicated to facilitating Timor-Leste’s accession to the ASEAN Economic Community project are concrete demonstrations of this strong commitment.

Minister for Trade and Industry, H.E. Filipus Nino Pereira, said:

I would like to thank the UK government for its support. This project will help us meet the ASEAN and WTO accession requirements. This initiative also reflects our ongoing commitment to diversifying our economy and deepening our regional economic integration.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.

The UK and international partners join together to establish The Tallinn Mechanism to bolster Ukraine’s cyber security.

As part of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the world has witnessed an unrelenting cyber assault against Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure, from banking to energy supplies and innocent Ukrainian people.

As a result, The foreign ministries of Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States have formalised the Tallinn Mechanism on 20 December 2023. It aims to coordinate and facilitate civilian cyber capacity building to help Ukraine uphold its fundamental right to self-defence in cyber space, and address longer-term cyber resilience needs.

The UK’s primary delivery agent of cyber capacity building in Ukraine is our CSSF UK-Ukraine Cyber Programme, expanded by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in June 2023. The programme has delivered over £10 million to bolster Ukraine’s cyber defences since the invasion.

Through this programme, the UK has stood side by side with Ukrainian cyber defenders. For example, the UK funded its partner Mandiant to combat a reported Russian cyber-attack it attributed to Sandworm, a unit within Russian Military Intelligence (GRU), against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure causing a power outage.

Minister of State in the Cabinet Office, and lead Minister for the Conflict Stability and Security Fund Baroness Neville-Rolfe said:

The UK and Ukraine are fighting side by side in the cyberwar against Russia whose appalling attacks know no bounds. Russia is attacking Ukraine’s cyber infrastructure in order to harm innocent people, choke the economy and sow confusion.

That is why the UK is supporting Ukraine with state of the art technology, tools and expertise to thwart these cruel attacks, including those on critical infrastructure. Our support remains steadfast.

The Mechanism aims to interface routinely with other donor initiatives, coordinate and de-conflict, including regular engagement with the EU and NATO.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.

The Foreign Secretary and Minister for the Middle East are travelling to Jordan and Egypt this week to push for a sustainable ceasefire and further humanitarian pauses in Gaza.

• the Foreign Secretary will travel to Jordan and Egypt on his second visit to the region, alongside the Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad
• David Cameron to discuss the urgent need for a sustainable ceasefire involving the release of hostages and an end to rocket fire into Israel
• he will visit Al Arish, near the Egypt-Gaza border to see first-hand the lifesaving UK aid which is being sent to Gaza

The Foreign Secretary will travel to the Middle East this week to push for a sustainable ceasefire and for further humanitarian pauses in Gaza.

In talks with leaders in Jordan and Egypt, key neighbouring countries, he will progress efforts to secure the release of all hostages, step up aid to Gaza and end Hamas rocket attacks and threats against Israel.

He will reiterate the UK’s position that leaving Hamas in power in Gaza will be a roadblock to reaching a long-term political solution to the crisis which delivers security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

This week I am making my second visit to the region to press the case for getting aid in to Gaza and the remaining hostages to be released.

On aid, I will be seeking to build on Israel’s decision to open the Kerem Shalom crossing to ensure significantly more aid and fuel can reach Gaza, through as many routes as possible.

No one wants to see this conflict go on for a moment longer than necessary. But for a ceasefire to work, it needs to be sustainable.

If Israel is still facing Hamas in Gaza with rockets and terror tactics, not only will a ceasefire not be sustainable, a two state solution in the longer term will also not be possible.

In Jordan, the Foreign Secretary will meet Foreign Minister Safadi and visit the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation, which has become the focal point of Jordanian humanitarian support for Gaza.

In Egypt, the Foreign Secretary will see first-hand the impact of UK aid on a visit to Al Arish, near the Egypt-Gaza border. He will hear from the Egyptian Red Crescent about the impact the UK’s lifesaving aid deliveries such as wound care packs are having in Gaza. He will see how the Egyptian Red Crescent are using UK Aid forklift trucks and lighting towers to support delivery of the international aid effort. He is also expected to meet President Sisi and Foreign Minister Shoukry.

The Foreign Secretary will welcome Israel’s decision to open the aid crossing at Kerem Shalom, following intense lobbying by the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary, as a vital step towards significantly increasing the amount of aid and fuel which reaches Gaza.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

Thank you, President, let me join others in thanking SRSG Otunbayeva, and our other briefers for their important remarks today.

President, the United Kingdom remains gravely concerned at the continued curtailment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls. This, along with ongoing reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions, is in clear violation of the international commitments that all states must adhere to.

We echo UNAMA’s recommendation that the international community should maintain its multilateral advocacy on women’s rights and gender equality. The UK is, of course, a firm supporter of these values and we will continue to raise them at every opportunity.
Since UNAMA’s last briefing to the Council, Herat was struck by successive devastating earthquakes. In response, the UK has provided around $4 million dollars in emergency support to those affected, including a further $13 million to support Afghans across the country during the winter months.

We have also committed $23.5 million dollars to the International Organisation for Migration to support vulnerable undocumented Afghans returning to the country.

President, it’s been over two years now since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. As the independent assessment in Afghanistan concluded, our shared goal should be an Afghanistan that is at peace with its people, its neighbours, and the international community. It’s our view that the independent assessment outlines the architecture and mechanisms that are needed to achieve this.

For our part, the United Kingdom is fully committed to finding a constructive way forward. In the absence of a coherent international strategy to date, it is the responsibility of this Council to seize the momentum provided by this report.

We look forward to continuing to work constructively with international partners and the full range of Afghan stakeholders in our shared endeavour towards improving the lives of all Afghans.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

Statement by Mungo Woodifield, UK Spokesperson to the UN, at the UN Security Council Arria Meeting on artificial intelligence.

I join others in thanking the UAE and Albania for convening this meeting, and the briefers for their expert insights. Indeed, the impact of artificial intelligence on mis and disinformation was a common concern when the Security Council held its first meeting on the opportunities and risks of AI to international peace and security, during our Presidency in July. So, we welcome further discussion on this topic today, along with the ongoing work of the Department of Global Communications to establish a Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms to guide and support national responses to mis and disinformation.

Disinformation is a familiar topic to the Security Council, from its impact, as the Under-Secretary-General said, on UN peacekeeping operations, to its role in exacerbating conflict. However, as others have noted, advances in AI technologies make it easier, quicker and cheaper for malign actors to spread false information in hundreds of languages. And this creates potentially harmful consequences for public trust in information and institutions and poses grave risks to stability.

With the rapid pace of technological development and billions expected to vote next year in elections around the world, understanding the risks that advances in AI-generated disinformation poses to inclusive and peaceful societies is critical.

We should ensure the right behaviours and response levers exist across government, industry, and the general public to address these risks. The UK continues to promote the design, development, and use of technology in a way that adheres to the following four principles:

Open – supporting personal freedoms and democracy. Responsible – consistent with the rule of law and human rights, and supporting sustainable growth. As well as ensuring data is used responsibly in a way that is lawful, protected, ethical and accountable. Secure – with security, safety and predictability built in by design. And finally, resilient- being reliable and trusted by the public.

AI risks are not limited to national boundaries of course, they are global and affect us all. Managing these risks requires concerted international action involving all actors, states, international institutions, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

At the first global summit on AI Safety in the UK in November, States recognised an urgent need to address concerns around AI’s ability to manipulate or generate deceptive content.

We must continue to work together in an inclusive manner to ensure that human-centric, trustworthy, and responsible AI is developed that is safe and supports the good of all.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

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

Thank you President, and thank you ASG Khiari for your briefing. Colleagues, we are unfortunately gathered here once again to discuss the DPRK’s latest violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the DPRK’s launch of yet another inter-continental ballistic missile on 18 December and the launch of a short-range ballistic missile a day prior.

This is the DPRK’s thirty-first ballistic missile launch this year. It is the fifth launch of an ICBM in 2023 – the most in any given year – and the third launch using solid fuel, demonstrating the DPRK’s desire to test its advanced capabilities.

It is the latest in a series of the DPRK’s blatant acts of defiance of this Council’s decisions – a clear and worrying pattern of escalation since the start of this year.

The DPRK’s actions violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions and demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The international community must be firm and united in our response to these violations.

And yet the DPRK continues to be shielded by two Council members, further emboldening its unlawful behaviour. This cannot become the status quo.

All UN Member States must respect and implement all relevant Security Council resolutions, including with regards to the transfer of technology to and from the DPRK.

We also call on the DPRK to, first, abandon its illegal nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes, which are impoverishing its own people and destabilising the wider region.

Second, to refrain from further provocations and return to compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Third, to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

And finally President, to take up repeated and unconditional offers of dialogue. Diplomacy is the only viable option to making progress towards a sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

Statement delivered on 13 December by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, at a High-Level Event at the Global Refugee Forum.

Good afternoon everyone.

Standing up for the rights of women and girls and ending gender-based violence are urgent priorities for the UK.

These aims are clear across the UK’s newly launched Roadmap for International Development.

Yet, at the halfway point for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the world is significantly off-track to meet the target of eliminating violence against women and girls by 2030.

For refugee and displaced populations in complex crises, the trajectories are even worse.

An estimated 70% of women and girls in conflict settings experience gender-based violence.

But all hope is not lost and we are committed to doing more.

One of our priorities must be to work towards incorporating refugees into national prevention and response systems for gender-based violence.

For example, in Jordan, the UK is supporting the Jordan Protection Programme, which aims to embed a sustainable model of supporting survivors within the national system.

Refugee women-led organisations – headed, I know, by many of you here today – are critical to this work.

The results of the UK’s recent research show the impact you have across critical roles ranging from providing front-line GBV services, promoting gender equality and making women and girls more resilient.

This research also highlighted the scale of challenges you face, including many of the barriers we have heard about today.

Receiving limited funding, failing to get official recognition, and struggling to be heard – even when decisions affect you directly.

And if that was not enough, you provide the most immediate services to those at risk but on a voluntary basis, denied the recognition and legal registration that would provide access to funding and support.

This cannot be right.

Failing to amplify your voices is one reason why violence against refugee women and girls is still not high enough up the political agenda.

It remains the silent pandemic.

This has to change.

First and foremost, we need to listen to those directly impacted by violence and discrimination, and amplify the voices of refugee women-led organisations.

Including those representing young people, people with disabilities, LGBT+ people, and survivors of violence.

We are committed to making these changes with our partners. Our delegation here includes two representatives from refugee women-led organisations.

And we are co-sponsoring the Call to Action + pledge on gender equality and protection from GBV, along with Germany, Chile, and Australia.

I am delighted to announce today that the UK is pledging £2m to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women’s special window on crises.

We have supported them for many years and wholeheartedly back their approach of supporting grassroots organisations to tackle gender-based violence.

Through this special window on crises, the Trust Fund will scale up efforts to empower and resource refugee and women-led organisations working during crises.

Of course, we cannot do this alone, and we are delighted to be working together with partners such as Sweden.

As we know, working with women’s rights organisations is essential to all of our efforts. They are pivotal in our fight to protect the human rights, dignity, and freedoms of women and girls around the world.

New contributions to the UN Trust Fund will complement our broader work with them. For example, our partnership with the Global Survivors Fund.

We are creating projects with Syrian survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Turkey, providing livelihood, medical, and legal support.

Finally, I will end by emphasising that we must work together to create a stronger international system which can channel more support, funding, and leadership to the refugee women-led organisations.

That is how we can continue to make a difference on the ground.

I look forward to working together towards a world where no women live in fear of violence.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the G7 on the launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile by North Korea.

G7 statement:

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms North Korea’s December 18 (local time) launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), following four previous ICBM launches this year as well as other launches using ballistic missile technology.

North Korea continues to advance its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and to escalate its destabilizing activities. We reiterate our call for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and demand that North Korea abandon all its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and all other existing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner in accordance with all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). We deplore North Korea’s choice to prioritize its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs over the welfare of the people in North Korea.

North Korea’s repeated reckless actions must be met with a swift, united, and robust international response, particularly by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). We urge UNSC Members to follow through on their commitments and call on all UN Member States to fully and effectively implement relevant UNSCRs. In this context, we are deeply concerned about the potential for any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology to North Korea, which would further threaten the peace and stability of the region as well as across the globe, and seriously undermine the global non-proliferation regime that we all value and that substantially contributes to our collective security. We also reiterate our strong condemnation on arms transfers from North Korea to Russia, which directly violate relevant UNSCRs. We urge North Korea and Russia to abide by relevant UNSCRs and immediately cease all such activities. We continue to call on North Korea to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept the repeated offers of dialogue without preconditions put forward by Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea.

The G7 remains committed to working with all relevant partners toward the goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to upholding the international order based on the rule of law.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2023.

The UK ‘s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, made a statement during Cuba’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council on 15 November 2023.

Thank you, Mr. President.

We remain concerned by the severe penalties handed down to pro-democracy and human rights campaigners.

We welcome, however, the steps taken by Cuba to legalise same-sex marriage. The growing participation of women in political and economic life is also positive, but we regret the lack of initiatives to address gender-based violence.

So, we recommend that Cuba:

1. Ensures the right to a fair trial through adherence to the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary.
2. Amends the provisions of its 2022 Penal Code to prevent its use to restrict freedom of expression and assembly.
3. Establishes femicide as a separate offence in its Penal Code.

Thank you.