Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

UK statement in response to Chinese escalation against the Philippines in the South China Sea.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development spokesperson said:

The UK condemns the unsafe and escalatory tactics deployed by Chinese vessels against the Philippines on 9 and 10 December in the South China Sea. The UK opposes any action which raises tensions, including harassment, unsafe conduct and intimidation tactics which increase the risk of miscalculation and threaten regional peace and stability.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea sets out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and seas. We oppose any claims that are not founded in UNCLOS.  Both China and the Philippines must adhere to the findings of the 2016 Arbitral Award proceedings, which are legally binding on both parties.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

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

Thank you, President. Let me begin by thanking SRSG Keita and Ms Lusamba for briefing us today. I welcome the participation of the representatives of the DRC and Rwanda at this meeting.  President, the United Kingdom reiterates its full support for the work carried out by MONUSCO and SRSG Keita in challenging circumstances. I would like to make three points in response to what we have heard today.

First, the UK commends the Government of the DRC and MONUSCO for their collaboration on the Force disengagement plan, which includes, where appropriate, the transfer of tasks to the UN Country Team and other international partners. We welcome the Government’s commitment to a gradual, responsive, responsible and sustainable withdrawal process.

Second,  with the departure of MONUSCO, the DRC must assume its responsibilities to protect the civilian population. We urge the Government to step up preparations in this regard, and we encourage MONUSCO to continue its capacity-building efforts with the government to ensure a smooth transition. Intensifying violence, changing movements of regional forces on the ground, soaring numbers of victims of conflict-related sexual violence, particularly in IDP camps in eastern DRC, and a deteriorating humanitarian situation highlight the urgency of getting this process right.

Third, we continue to urge restraint and dialogue from all parties given the very real risk of miscalculation and the horrendous cost of further escalation. In particular, we urge all parties to recommit to the Nairobi and Luanda regional peacebuilding processes which are the best roadmaps towards a peaceful DRC. We commend the contribution of the East African Community and the East African Community Regional Force.

Dialogue, not violence, is the way to achieve lasting peace. We urge all parties and countries in the region to fulfil commitments to revitalise these political processes and deliver tangible action to address shared security challenges, improve humanitarian access and reduce violence.

Finally, President, we look forward to peaceful, credible and inclusive elections on 20 December, which will provide a chance to anchor democracy in the DRC. The UK looks forward to working with the new Government.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

The British Government announced today the 51 winners of 2024 Marshall Scholarships – the largest class in the history of the scholarship program.

Washington, DC (11 December 2023) – The British Government announced today the 51 winners of 2024 Marshall Scholarships, the largest class in the seven decades-running scholarship program. The recipients, considered among America’s most accomplished undergraduate university students and recent graduates, were chosen following an intense selection process and will begin graduate studies at top universities across the United Kingdom next year.

The Marshall Scholarship program was created by an Act of British Parliament in 1953 as a living memorial to former US Secretary of State General George C. Marshall and the USA for assistance under the Marshall Plan. The scholarship allows for up to three years of graduate study in any academic topic at any university in the UK, home to 17 of the top 100 universities in the world.

Dame Karen Pierce, British Ambassador to the USA, said:

Nearly 70 years after the first group of American students journeyed across the Atlantic, the Marshall Scholarship program remains an integral part of the UK-US relationship. The British Government is excited to welcome this diverse and incredibly talented group of students to our shores, who embody the spirit and values that have animated the bilateral relationship.

Twelve scholars were selected in the original 1954 class (eight men and four women) becoming one of the first co-educational national scholarships in UK history and 21 years before the British Sex Discrimination Act of 1975 banned the exclusion of women in education. Since that time, over 2,200 American men and women have received graduate degrees through the Marshall Scholarship before going on to play leading roles in American society.

Among this year’s class are aspiring diplomats, doctors, fighter pilots and scientists. Half of the 2024 class will pursue STEM-related degrees, including several who will study issues relating to the ethics and advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The focus on attracting America’s top young scientific minds reflects the UK Government’s effort to transform Britain into a ‘Science & Technology Superpower’ by 2030. Last month, the UK hosted the first-ever global AI Summit, which saw 28 nations reach a landmark agreement to collaborate on the challenges and opportunities of AI. Earlier this year, the UK and US also agreed to a new economic partnership known as the ‘Atlantic Declaration’, pledging joint collaboration and investment in developing advanced technologies like AI, quantum and 6G.

John Raine, Chair of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, said:

The Marshall Scholarship has a proud history of helping to drive scientific innovation. From Ray Dolby’s revolutionary advancements in audio engineering to Dr. Dan Barouch’s critical role in spearheading the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, Marshall Scholars are continuing to push the scientific boundaries of what’s possible.

The program received 1006 applications this year, from candidates representing academic institutions across the United States. 34 US universities across 21 US States and the District of Columbia are represented, nearly a third of which are state or public universities and military service academies. Mississippi State University, Washington & Lee University (VA) and the University of Hawaii at Hilo will send Marshall Scholars to the UK for the first time ever. Awards were extended to scholars representing the University of Denver and the University of Mississippi for the first time in two decades.

The program is principally funded by the British Government, but also benefits from generous support through partnership arrangements with world-leading British academic institutions, allowing winners to pursue graduate degrees in almost any academic subject at any university in the UK. The 2024 class will take up their studies at 18 different institutions across the UK starting next September, ranging from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to Loughborough University in Leicestershire.

The scholarship program also continues to receive generous support from the Association of Marshall Scholars (AMS), the official alumni organisation of the Marshall Scholarship. The British Schools & Universities Foundation (BUSF) also provides generous support and funds for a scholarship.

The full list of 2024 winners are:

Recipient	US University
Adrian Ali-Caccamo	Georgetown University
Richard Allen	Harvard University
Robert Atkinson	Yale University
Arushi Avachat	UCLA
Simar Bajaj	Harvard University
Jamila Beesley	Brown University
Xavier Blackwell-Lipkind	Yale University
Alexis Bradstreet	US Military Academy
Madison Brode	Mississippi State University
Jilkiah Bryant	University of Mississippi
Kaitlin Bui	Brown University
Anushree Chaudhuri	MIT
Hari Choudhari	Georgetown University
Rosie Contino	University of Denver
Charlotte d’Halluin	US Naval Academy
Alexander Dyer	Harvard University
Ashley Fuchs	University of Pennsylvania
Logan Glasstetter	Duke University
Liza Goldberg	Stanford University
Owen Graham	US Air Force Academy
Naomi Greenberg	Georgetown University
Austin Hickle	Southern Methodist University
Robby Hill	Yale University
Maeve Janecka	Georgia Institute of Technology
Haaris Jilani	Georgia Institute of Technology
Ahalya Lettenberger	Rice University
Rupert Li	MIT
Andrew Lorenzen	Cornell University
Maryann Lorino	Tulane University
Michael Lundgren	Georgetown University
Kendra Lyimo	University of Notre Dame
Sarosh Nagar	Harvard University
Kit Neikirk	University of Hawaii – Hilo
Gina Ngo	Villanova University
Mary Olson	Columbia University
Ethan Ostrow	University of Chicago
Nils Peterson	University of Wisconsin – Madison
Amarachukwu Precious Ifeji	Northeastern University
Eva Rothenberg	Emory University
Olivia Sally	Yale University
Ronald Sullivan III	Harvard University
Maxwell Teszler	Dartmouth University
Samuel Thorpe	Williams College
Cameron Tice	Auburn University
Kyle Tucker	Indiana University – Bloomington
Martayn Van de Wall	US Military Academy
Iona Volynets	Syracuse University
Anya Wahal	Georgetown University
Kathryn Yurechko	Washington & Lee University
Dorothy Zhao	Michigan State University

About the Marshall Scholarship

Named for Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the Marshall Scholarship Program began in 1953 as a gesture of gratitude to the people of the United States for the assistance that the UK received after World War II under the Marshall Plan. Since that time, it has remained uniquely positioned among national scholarships for its prestige and scope: offering talented young Americans the chance to study any academic subject at UK universities of their choice for up to three years. This has given rise to an unprecedented breadth of expertise in almost every academic field, producing numerous university presidents, six Pulitzer Prize winners, one Nobel Laureate, fourteen MacArthur Fellows, two-academy-Award nominees, two US Supreme Court Justices and a NASA Astronaut.

With over 2,200 scholarships awarded to date, Marshall Scholars are leading the conversation and direction of some of the most critical issues of our time. Notable winners of the scholarship include:

• Supreme Court Associate Justices Stephen Breyer (ret.) and Neil Gorsuch
• William Burns, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
• Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Anne Applebaum, Tom Friedman, Jeffrey Gettleman and Dan Yergin
• Dr. Dan Barouch, Leading COVID-19 vaccine researcher and William Bosworth Castle Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School
• Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, White House National Security Council; Nominee for Deputy Secretary of State at US State Department
• Reid Hoffman, Philanthropist and founder of social networking platform LinkedIn
• Lisa Cook, Economist and currently the first African-American woman and first person of color to sit on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
• Congressmen Derek Kilmer (WA-6th CD) and Gabe Amo (RI-1st CD)
• Kris Kobach, Attorney General of the State of Kansas
• Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State for the State of Michigan
• Anne McClain, NASA Astronaut who served aboard the International Space Station in 2018
• Roger Tsien, 2008 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry
• Ray Dolby, Founder of Dolby Laboratories and 1997 winner of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation
• Rebecca F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel and The Poppy War book trilogy

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson gave a statement following the Hong Kong District Council elections on December 10.

In local elections yesterday, many voices from Hong Kong’s District Councils were excluded from participating. Meaningful opposition in Hong Kong’s electoral system is being eliminated.

We strongly urge the Hong Kong Government to uphold its international commitments and respect the civil rights and freedoms of Hong Kong citizens.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

At an FCDO stakeholder event to mark Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Lord Ahmad gave a statement.

Lord Ahmad opened his address by reflecting on the importance of this landmark anniversary, and how, 75 years ago, the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a bold statement of intent and a formidable responsibility for the generations to follow.

The Minister quoted Martin Luther King Jr: ‘We are not makers of history, we are made by history’ – and reflected on the role the UDHR has played in protecting the vulnerable and cementing fundamental freedoms.

Lord Ahmad stressed that with the terrible challenges the world faces today – humanitarian crises, conflicts and more – we must carry the torch handed to us by those pioneers 75 years ago and do all we can to protect life and dignity.

Lord Ahmad discussed the global human rights landscape. On the deeply shocking recent events in Israel and Gaza, he raised the need to seek peace and a pathway to end this conflict, as well as avoid regional escalation. He also stressed the urgent need to ensure daily aid gets into Gaza as quickly as possible to tackle the humanitarian crisis, and noted that the UK has contributed another £30 million towards this.

Lord Ahmad also highlighted reports of appalling sexual violence committed by Hamas, and emphasised that reports must be fully investigated and documented, the perpetrators held accountable and survivors supported. He underlined the UK’s commitment to a viable Two-State Solution that must be delivered to provide peace, justice and security to Israelis and Palestinians alike.

On Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, Lord Ahmad emphasised that the UK is determined to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, and survivors of some of the most hideous abuses are supported. He explained how UK funding has helped deploy Mobile Justice Teams to the scenes of potential war crimes, trained more than 150 judges and delivered 30,000 forensic medical kits for police officers investigating conflict-related sexual violence.

Lord Ahmad also gave an overview of the UK’s work to champion thematic human rights, including chairing the first High-Level Meeting of the International alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, to hosting the Global Conference for the International Day for the Universal Access to Information and continuing to grow the International Religious Freedom of Belief Alliance, as we promote the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.

Lord Ahmad underscored the UK’s unwavering support for human rights defenders who find their lives and livelihoods at risk due to their courageous efforts and announced the UK’s renewed funding commitment to the Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund, to support civil society organisations and human rights defenders in crisis.

The Minister also highlighted the recently published International Development White Paper, which sets out the UK’s vision for supporting open societies, with accountable, effective and inclusive institutions around the world over the next seven years.

Lord Ahmad closed by repeating the importance of the universality of human rights and called on everyone to come together in a spirit of unity ensure that the promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are fulfilled always and everywhere.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

Over 2,000 children around Washington, DC received a free copy of the beloved British book Paddington thanks to a partnership between the British Embassy, HarperCollins and Washington, DC Public Schools to promote early literacy.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the publication of A Bear called Paddington. The story, a now timeless classic in children’s literature known for its themes of positivity, inclusivity, and kindness, was written in 1958 by Michael Bond, a former BBC cameraman and Royal Air Force veteran who served in the Second World War. Since the book’s original publication, Paddington has become a cult favourite around the world and an iconic work of children’s literature – spurring 28 books, tv shows, toys, statues, and two Paddington feature films, with a third currently in production.

As part of the UK’s efforts to support early literacy, promote British Soft Power and world-leading literature in the United States, the British Embassy in Washington celebrated the book’s anniversary by partnering with publisher HarperCollins and Washington, DC Public Schools to distribute copies of the book Paddington to 2,500 public-school students in and around Washington, DC Donations were sent to 10 U.S. Title 1 schools, with books going to students aged between 3 and 9 years old. Title I is a US federal funding program for education used to help ensure that children, regardless of family income, can acquire an equitable and quality education that will allow students to become academically proficient.

To mark the occasion, on Monday, 11 December His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce, sat down with Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to read a copy of Paddington to 150 students at Dorothy Heights Elementary School. Ambassador Pierce and Mayor Bowser were joined on-stage by Chancellor of DC Public Schools, Dr. Lewis Ferebee and Principal Masi Preston, of Dorothy Heights Elementary School.

British Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce –

It was a pleasure to join Mayor Bowser, Chancellor Ferebee and Principal Preston to read Paddington Bear to students at Dorothy I. Height Elementary School. Paddington’s lessons of kindness and resilience remain an inspiration to children around the world as we mark the book’s 65th anniversary this year. The British Embassy is delighted to donate Paddington books to over 2,000 students at 10 public schools around DC, in partnership with HarperCollins, so that a whole new generation of students can enjoy this iconic British story. I was delighted to receive a welcome present from one of the students and am proudly wearing my Monarchs wrist band to Christmas parties this evening.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2023.

Government announces new unit to clamp down on companies evading sanctions.

Companies who are found to be dodging strict trade sanctions, including those imposed since the war in Ukraine, will face tougher penalties with the creation of a new Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI).

Industry and Economic Security Minister Nusrat Ghani is today [11 December 2023] announcing the creation of a new unit to crack down on companies dodging Russian sanctions.

The OTSI will be responsible for the civil enforcement of trade sanctions, including those against Russia. The unit will help businesses comply with sanctions and investigate potential breaches, issuing civil penalties and referring cases to HMRC for criminal enforcement where needed.

Its remit will involve activity by companies who may be avoiding sanctions by sending products through other countries.

The news comes as the UK is expected to announce fresh sanctions targeting the latest items Ukraine has found on the battlefield such as machine parts and electronics, as well as products that raise revenue to fund Putin’s war machine.

Industry and Economic Security Minister Nusrat Ghani said:

Our package of sanctions, the most severe ever imposed on a major economy, is working – goods imports from Russia to the UK have already plummeted by 94%.

But we are leaving no stone unturned in our commitment to stopping Putin’s war machine. That means clamping down on sanctions evaders and starving Russia of the technologies and revenues it needs to continue its illegal invasion.

Today’s announcement will help us do that, and send a clear message to those breaking the rules that there is nowhere to hide.

The UK and our international partners have implemented the most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy, with an unprecedented £20 billion of UK-Russia goods trade now sanctioned. The evidence shows the sanctions are working, with UK-Russia trade falling to historic lows.

Sanctions Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Today’s announcement will further strengthen the UK’s sanctions system and allow us to maximise the impact that trade sanctions have on those who continue to flout the global rules.

Without international sanctions, we estimate Russia would have over $400 billion more to fund the war, enough to fund the invasion for a further four years. We are hitting Russia where it hurts and starving Putin of the resources he needs to fund his illegal war on Ukraine.

OTSI will launch in early 2024 once the new legal requirements are in place and will reinforce existing work the government does to ensure UK trade sanctions are adhered to.

Background

• reductions in UK goods imports from Russia calculated comparing March 2021 to February 2022 to March 2022 to February 2023

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2023.

The UK government has announced funding to support the documentation, investigation and prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine.

• UK announces £3.7 million package to support the documentation, investigation, and prosecution of war crimes committed in Ukraine
• package includes funding for the training of Ukrainian prosecutors in the use of open-source intelligence to identify potential crimes, and the expansion of the OPORA War Crimes Documentation Centre in Poland
• latest announcement builds on previous pledge of up to £2.5 million and will help Ukraine hold Russian forces accountable for atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people

The UK government has today announced a further £3.7 million of funding to support Ukraine as it pursues justice for the victims of Russian atrocities.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Office of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General has recorded more than 110,000 cases of war crimes. In the face of Russian atrocities, the UK has stood with Ukraine, and played a leading role in ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.

Backed by a previous UK pledge of £2.5 million, Ukrainian authorities have already made significant progress in bringing those responsible for atrocities against the Ukrainian people to justice, successfully prosecuting over 50 Russian individuals for war crimes committed in Ukraine.

The UK has now committed an additional £3.7 million of funding to support the documentation, investigation and prosecution of war crimes. UK-funded projects will give the Ukrainian authorities new skills in verifying and utilising open-source intelligence, including materials uploaded by mobile phones to social media, and train prosecutors in preparing strong and well-evidenced legal cases.

FCDO Minister of State, Lord Tariq Ahmad said:

The despicable atrocities we’ve seen in Ukraine have required the Ukrainian authorities to adapt to unprecedented challenges, necessitated by Russia’s illegal invasion of a sovereign democratic state.

Through our financial backing and legal expertise, the UK will continue to stand with Ukraine as they hold perpetrators to account and ensure that survivor-centred justice is served. Our support for our Ukrainian allies is unwavering.

Alongside support for war crimes investigations, the government has also allocated over £200,000 to expand the OPORA War Crimes Documentation Centre in Poland, which documents witness testimonies from Ukrainians who have been forced to flee the war. This funding is a key component of the new Trilateral Partnership on War Crimes Documentation, involving the UK, Poland, and Ukraine, which seeks to hold members of the Russian state and military accountable for their actions.

It follows Security Minister Tom Tugendhat’s visit to the centre in early 2023. During this visit, the minister met Ms. Olga Aivazovska, Chair of OPORA, and was briefed on the centre’s work to collect preliminary testimony from Ukrainian refugees who were witnesses of war crimes conducted in Ukraine.

Operated by Ukrainian staff, the non-governmental organisation OPORA provides a professional service, building trust within the diaspora left deeply affected by the conflict. In the past year, over a thousand Ukrainians have contributed their testimonies to the centre.

UK Government Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat said:

When I visited the OPORA War Crimes Documentation Centre, I heard first-hand about the horrendous crimes committed by members of the Russian military in Ukraine.

It brought home to me not only the horrors of this war but also the importance of ensuring those responsible face the full consequences of their actions when this shameful war comes to an end.

By ensuring the war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people are properly documented we can help ensure that those responsible are held to account for their barbarity and begin to offer some sense of redress for its victims.

Chair of OPORA, Olga Aivazovska said:

Unpunished evil is only growing, therefore, the investigation of war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine is an integral component of comprehensive security in Europe.

According to OPORA’s sociological research conducted in Ukraine, 16% of citizens have witnessed war crimes, and 51% believe victory and peace without justice are impossible. That is why our work, together with the UK and the law enforcement bodies of Poland and Ukraine, helps the witnesses staying in Poland achieve justice.

We believe that every victim who is now safe should be informed what war crimes and crimes against humanity are, what legal actions are possible in this case, and what is the role of a witness in the justice process.

We help everyone get psychological and legal help as much as possible. We are grateful for the trust of the UK and Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, who have offered their help, and we are all committed to the end-result for the sake of justice.

Today’s announcement builds upon a range of existing UK-backed initiatives designed to support accountability efforts in Ukraine and to strengthen the national response to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).

To date, UK support has enabled hundreds of police officers, investigators, prosecutors and judges to work more confidently and effectively on complex investigations and forensic responses, improving the quality of their evidence-gathering and judgements and strengthening survivor-centred practices.

Over 200 civil society representatives have also received training in psychosocial and legal support for CRSV survivors, while over 30,000 forensic medical kits have been supplied to Police Officers for CRSV cases. Vital expertise from the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Team of Experts has supported the development of a Ukrainian national CRSV Action Plan.

Alongside funding for Ukraine’s domestic investigations, the UK is supporting the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in Ukraine and across the world, including through an additional £2 million of funding announced to help improve their capacity and capability to conduct investigations.

Following Ukraine’s invitation, the UK is participating in the Core Group shaping thinking on how to ensure criminal accountability for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This includes exploring options for a new ‘internationalised’ tribunal – a specialised court integrated into Ukraine’s national justice system with international elements.

In November, the UK, alongside the US and EU, launched the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) Multi-National Fund. This fund will allow more international partners to provide funding for Ukraine’s domestic accountability efforts through the ACA, enhancing international support for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine.

Background

• read more information about OPORA on the OPORA website
• the UK was a founding member of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) in May 2022, joint with the US and the EU, and previously pledged £2.5 million in July 2022 to support Ukrainian prosecutions and investigations in coordination with this group. This latest announcement of £3.7 million will also be coordinated with the ACA and its implementing partners

The UK’s funding so far has enabled:

• 153 judges and 36 prosecutors to receive training in forming war crimes judgements
• more than 150 regional prosecutors and investigators to be trained to ensure that robust, evidenced war crimes cases can be brought to trial
• 78 members of the National Police of Ukraine to be trained in forensic response
• the deployment of Mobile Justice Teams 14 times to sites of alleged war crimes to aid the collection of evidence
• 227 representatives of civil society organisations to be trained in psychosocial and legal support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV)
• police officers to receive 30,000 forensic testing kits for gender-based violence and CRSV cases
• the appointment and deployment of former ICC judge Sir Howard Morrison KC as independent adviser to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine
• a member of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Team of Experts to support the Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General to develop their standards and procedures for investigating and prosecuting cases of CRSV in Ukraine
• in addition, the UK continues to support the work of the ICC and its independent investigation into the situation in Ukraine, welcoming the coordination of investigations, as seen by the opening of an ICC field office in Kyiv in September

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 December 2023.

Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad is attending the Doha Forum and holding meetings with senior Qatari leaders to discuss the Israel and Gaza conflict.

• Minister of State for the Middle East Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon returns to Qatar to attend the annual Doha Forum which will bring together regional leaders in policy to discuss critical challenges facing our world
• In addition, Lord Ahmad will hold meetings with the senior Qatari leaders for discussions on the crisis in Israel and Gaza
• The Minister will also hold meetings on Afghanistan focusing on humanitarian, development, security and human rights issues

Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad is in Qatar today (Sunday) to attend the Doha Forum and meet with senior partners to discuss the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza.

Lord Ahmad will be attending the annual Doha Forum which will run under the theme of “Building Shared Futures.” The Forum will host discussions and panel events on key issues, including Afghanistan and the conflict in Israel and Gaza given Qatar’s important role as mediator between Israel and Hamas.

During the visit, the Minister is expected to meet with senior Qatari leaders where he will reiterate the UK’s gratitude to Qatar for their central role in facilitating humanitarian access into Gaza which enabled more desperately needed aid to enter, as well as securing the release of hostages.

He will also emphasise the UK’s commitment to working with partners on preventing the crisis from spreading across the region and delivering a viable two-state solution.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, said:

I am pleased to be returning to Qatar following my recent visit to reiterate the UK’s thanks to our Qatari partners for their huge efforts in securing the recent humanitarian access into Gaza.

It is absolutely critical that we now redouble our efforts to facilitate unhindered and sustainable humanitarian access into Gaza, further substantive agreements to bring respite and deliver vital aid to civilians, and secure the release of hostages out of Gaza.

I will be discussing with leaders in the region how we must work together to find long term solutions to the conflict, to reduce regional escalation and to progress towards a two-state solution that secures peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

In addition to his discussions on Israel and Gaza, Lord Ahmad will also be meeting with policy leaders to discuss the situation in Afghanistan focussing on humanitarian, development, security and human rights issues.

Notes for editors:

• The Doha Forum is a platform for dialogue, the forum brings together leaders in policy to discuss critical challenges facing our world, and builds on innovative and action-driven networks to address these challenges.
• Lord Ahmad also visited Qatar and Bahrain last month (November 18 and 19) for discussions on the crisis in Israel and the OPTs. In a speech at the Manama Dialogue to senior decision makers from the region during his last visited, the Minister reiterated urgent calls for agreements to allow for vital humanitarian aid to be delivered, get hostages released and to facilitate an end to hostilities as a pathway to deliver a viable two state solution.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 December 2023.

UK scales up support for sustainable, climate-resilient farming practices, and improved access to clean water in climate-vulnerable countries.

• UK support will help farmers around the world adopt sustainable, climate-resilient practices.
• Further new funding will help countries work towards water security and unlock investment in water management.
• Smallholder farmers and rural organisations in Africa will have help to boost incomes without damaging forests.

The UK is scaling up a partnership with the World Bank to boost climate-resilient farming practices around the world, the UK’s International Development and Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell will announce at COP28 today (10 December).

While agriculture is vital for global food security and rural livelihoods, it is also a key driver of climate change and nature loss. Farmers on the front line of climate change suffer ever more frequent, severe weather impacts, including drought and floods.

Improving soil health, land management and efficient use of fertiliser are some of the changes the Just Rural Transition Support Programme will work with climate vulnerable partner countries to adopt so their agriculture policies are more productive and sustainable.

The UK will also provide £10 million through the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to help smallholder farmers and others improve their incomes in ways which reduce the impact on the natural world, particularly forests.

Climate change and deforestation mean that countries like Zambia are suffering droughts, which negatively affect their economies and food production. One example of how the programme will help is by supporting smallholder farmers in Zambia – many of whom are women in rural communities – to expand their businesses, by growing new crops, or improving the quality of their produce, linking them to export markets and planting trees to create more sustainable sources of raw materials.

These announcements follow on from last month’s UK hosted Global Food Security Summit, which brought together countries and international organisations to galvanise support for lasting solutions to prevent famine, wider food insecurity and malnutrition.

Today at COP28, the focus is also on water alongside food and agriculture. Agriculture accounts for 70% of freshwater use globally and causes 70% of water pollution. With the world facing an unprecedented and accelerating water crisis, rapid action is needed to ensure sustainable access to clean water. By 2030, it is estimated there will be a 40% shortfall in freshwater supply, with drastic consequences for people, planet and nature. Growing water insecurity, accelerated by climate change, is rapidly undermining the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals.

At the climate summit, Minister Mitchell will set out up to £39 million new funding for the newly launched Just Transitions for Water Security programme, to help countries manage water resources responsibly for the future.

The Just Transitions for Water Security programme will provide technical assistance to low-income and climate vulnerable countries so they can better manage their water resources. This in turn will strengthen climate resilience for the most vulnerable, support more sustainable food systems and improve drought and flood management, all while making sure everyone has access to clean water.

The programme will also help countries work towards water security and mobilise much-needed investment in water, such as large-scale rainwater harvesting.

International Development and Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell said:

Water is at the centre of the climate crisis. Water security must be driven up the global agenda.

My message is clear: we must protect water properly if we are to ensure equitable access for all. UK funding set out today will support water resilient supply chains, and boost investments to ensure this basic and vital source of life is available to vulnerable communities on the frontline of climate change.

Part of the Just Transitions for Water Security programme involves the Resilient Water Accelerator, led by WaterAid, which aims to boost investment in water systems.

Chief Executive of WaterAid Tim Wainwright said:

The climate crisis is a water crisis, with communities in low and middle income countries struggling daily with too little, too much, or too dirty water. WaterAid welcomes the UK government connecting the drops between climate change and water, committing at COP28 to invest up to £39 million into global water security.

WaterAid is happy to be supporting the Resilient Water Accelerator in unlocking private investment at pace. We hope other nations will join the UK in supporting adaptation projects that will build life-saving sustainable, climate-resilient water resources and services.

At COP28 the UK has also signed up to the Freshwater Challenge – launched at the UN Water Conference in March this year by the governments of Colombia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Mexico and Zambia – to boost the restoration and conservation of freshwater ecosystems, recognising the essential role these habitats play in tackling climate change and supporting people and nature.

Last month as part of the recently published International Development White Paper, the UK committed to establish a cross-government global water security strategy that sets out the UK’s work on water security in the context of climate change and ensures coherence across sectors in water-related policy making.

These announcements demonstrate the UK’s commitment to deliver the objectives of the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action. The UK was one of the first countries to endorse the declaration at the Global Food Security Summit last month and it is now supported by more than 130 countries.

Background

The Global Commission on the Economics of Water estimated in its report Turning the Tide that by 2030 there will be a 40% shortfall in freshwater supply, with drastic consequences for people, planet and nature.

The White Paper on International development in a contested world: ending extreme poverty and tackling climate change was published in November 2023.

The UK announcements today at COP28 form part of the £1.6 billion package announced by the Prime Minister at the start of COP28, and include:

• Up to £45 million in support over the next 5 years through the Just Rural Transition Support Programme, in partnership with the World Bank (‘FoodSystems 2030’ Trust Fund).
• Up to £39.1 million for the Just Transitions for Water Security programme, launched on 1 December.
• £10 million for the FAO-led Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) to support organisations that represent smallholder farmers, rural women’s groups, local communities and indigenous peoples’ groups. FFF provides grants, training and expertise to these groups to help improve their incomes in ways that reduce the impact on the natural world, particularly forests. It also works to amplify the voice of smallholders so they can influence important policy decisions over land tenure and natural resource rights. The UK’s £10 million funding to FFF is specifically for Africa.
• The Freshwater Challenge is a country-led initiative, launched at the UN Water Conference in New York in March 2023 by the governments of Colombia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Mexico and Zambia. The initiative is supported by a group of core partners who have supported it since its inception – WWF, IUCN, UNEP, The Nature Conservancy, Wetlands International, Conservation International, and the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.