Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly meeting on Security Council reform.

Thank you, President.

At the outset, let me congratulate Ambassadors Albanai and Marschik for their well deserved reappointment as co-chairs of the intergovernmental negotiations. We appreciate the progress made under your able leadership earlier this year and look forward to that continuing.

It is difficult to ignore the context for today’s debate. The world and our multilateral system face increasingly complex and interconnected challenges.

Since we last debated the need for Security Council reform here in the General Assembly, we’ve grappled with increasing conflict around the world. The impact of Russia’s illegal war continues to be felt in Ukraine and globally. In Sudan, conflict is causing mass displacement and huge suffering for the Sudanese people. And of course, we’ve all witnessed the harrowing images from Gaza as the humanitarian crisis there deepens. In that regard, yesterday’s Security Council resolution calling for humanitarian pauses was an important step. There are, regrettably, numerous other examples around the world.

The United Kingdom believes that global multilateralism is the best tool we have to collectively tackle these challenges. We want it to succeed and thrive. This is why we also support multilateral reform, including reform of the Security Council.

The Council’s mandate to safeguard international peace and security is as relevant today as it was when the UN Charter was first signed in 1945. But the Council should evolve and expand to make it more representative of the international community it serves.

The United Kingdom continues to call for the expansion of the Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. We believe permanent African representation on the Council is long overdue, and we support new permanent seats for India, Germany, Japan and Brazil.

We also support an expansion of the non-permanent category of membership, taking the total Council membership to the mid 20s. With these changes, the Council will be better able to respond decisively to present and future threats to international peace and security.

President, since the General Assembly last met on this topic, we reaffirm our position regarding the use of the veto. It is a heavy responsibility and following the introduction of the veto initiative, this assembly can now rightfully hold vetoing powers to account. For our own part, the United Kingdom has not exercised our right to use the veto since 1989. As supporters of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group Code of Conduct, we remain committed not to vote against a credible draft resolution to prevent or end a mass atrocity, and we encourage all States to join us.

President, agreeing the precise model for reform of the Security Council will take hard work and compromise. We must not let the process stall. We therefore support a move to text-based negotiations and commit to work constructively with all partners to find practical solutions that can command the necessary support.

In that regard, we welcome the concrete ideas set out by the co-chairs of the intergovernmental negotiations for how to make meaningful progress, and in the meantime, we pledge our commitment to serious and sustained engagement on Security Council reform. I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

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

Thank you, President. I thank Ms Rochdi and Ms Wosornu for their briefings. Now more than ever, the international community needs to ensure that our attention remains on Syria, and that we act together to improve the situation for the Syrian people. Today I want to highlight three areas requiring immediate attention.

First, we urgently need regional de-escalation. After more than 13 years of conflict, violence in Syria is at its highest level in more than three years. We condemn the Syrian regime’s sustained attacks in northwest Syria. We are also gravely concerned by the spate of attacks in the northeast by Iran-affiliated militias against the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Reports that Iran started to use Latakia airbase for weapons shipments are alarming.

It is essential that the Global Coalition continues its operations against Daesh to ensure we do not see a resurgence. We urge Iran to roll back its militias and we call on the regime and its Russian backers to prioritise stability and prosperity in Syria.

Second, we should remain committed to ensuring sustainable, predictable and efficient aid flows across the whole of Syria. Increasing hostilities mean increasing need for the reliable provision of humanitarian aid. This highlights the importance of the cross-border operation which is a lifeline for 4.1 million people.

It is positive that the Bab Al Salam and Al Rai agreements were extended on 14 November, but the situation on the ground means that short term, last minute agreements are not sufficient. As the UN has made clear, we need these agreements for as long as humanitarian needs demand, including for the Bab al-Hawa crossing which is set to expire on 13 January 2024, the height of winter.

Third, the worsening situation in Syria should remind us all of the need for a viable political process. Until the regime and its backers engage seriously and meaningfully in a political process, the UK will not engage with the regime. We reiterate our wholehearted support for a UN-facilitated settlement in accordance with resolution 2254 as the way to end the conflict.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

Statement by Her Excellency Joanna Roper, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Director-General, Mr Chair, Distinguished Delegates,

Let me start by thanking you Director-General and the Technical Secretariat for all your work preparing this Conference.

Many thanks also to our outgoing Chair, Ambassador Vusimusi Madonsela. I further congratulate Ambassador Suljuk Tarar on your appointment – you have our full support.

Mr Chair,

2023 has seen important successes for the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW. Although a small number of States decided to block consensus on the outcome document, the Fifth Review Conference in May served as an important platform to underscore global commitment to uphold the norm against possession and use, and to progress issues including geographical representation and flexible human resourcing in the Technical Secretariat.

We also celebrated the inauguration of the Centre for Chemistry and Technology, which the UK is proud to support. We recently pledged a further 1.1 million Euros international cooperation and assistance funding for this financial year and supported the very successful CHEMEX Africa in Algiers.

And in July we marked the completion of the verified destruction of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles. Quite the milestone.

But, Mr Chair,

That milestone is unfortunately not the end of the story. 2023 has also been a year of serious challenge. A number of States Parties to this Convention still maintain chemical weapons programmes.

Russia used chemical weapons in the UK in 2018 and against Alexey Navalny in 2020.

In May this year, Russian state media reported Russian use of riot control agents against Ukrainian soldiers as part of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Use of riot control agents as a method of warfare is clearly prohibited by the CWC. Russia has so far failed to provide any plausible explanation.

Meanwhile, we remain gravely concerned by baseless Russian allegations of chemical provocations by Ukraine. Any use of chemical weapons by Russia in Ukraine would have severe consequences.

Further Mr Chair,

In August we marked ten years since the horrific sarin attack in Ghouta by the Assad Regime that killed over 1,400 people.

Since Syria’s subsequent accession to the CWC in 2013, the world has witnessed at least nine further chemical weapon attacks by the Assad regime and chronic non-compliance with its CWC obligations.

In recent weeks, the OPCW Declarations Assessment Team (DAT) released further evidence of serious irregularities with Syria’s declaration. Thousands of Syrian munitions and hundreds of tonnes of chemical agent are still missing.

Mr Chair,

This organisation can have no confidence in the Syrian regime’s declaration and Syria’s handling of toxic chemicals. This matters not only for the people in Syria, its neighbours and the region but for the safety and security of us all.

Over 50 States Parties have co-sponsored a Decision for the attention of this Conference. It recommends additional measures to control the transfer of toxic chemicals to the Syrian Regime and enhance support to criminal investigations, in accordance with international law. It will reduce the threat of further Syrian Regime chemical weapon attacks and of toxic chemical proliferation to non-state actors. I call on all States Parties to support the decision, ‘Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use and the Threat of Future Use’.

Mr Chair,

The CWC remains one of the most successful disarmament conventions.  But we have more work to do to realise the vision of a world free from chemical weapons.

Fast-moving technological developments offer extraordinary opportunities, but also bring new risks for proliferation, including threats from non-state actors. The OPCW can support us all to bolster capacity to prevent, protect and respond to chemical weapons threats.

The OPCW must have the tools it needs to deliver its vital mission. The OPCW’s biennial budget put forward for our consideration this week is the minimum the organisation needs to deliver its core activity. We call on all to support it and in doing so, support the continued work of the OPCW in eradicating the world of chemical weapons.

Thank you, Mr Chair

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

The UK marks 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence, renewing efforts to work with partners to prevent violence and empower women and girls worldwide.

• UK marks the annual 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence with renewed efforts to work with partners to prevent violence and empower women and girls around the world
• Development Minister Andrew Mitchell announces new support that will help women’s rights organisations in more than 70 countries
• Lord Ahmad visits Colombia to meet survivors and see UK-funded support programmes a year on since the UK’s landmark Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) conference

The UK is investing in grassroots women’s rights organisations on the frontline of tackling violence against women and girls around the world, it is announced today.

Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is announcing the new support at an event in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Tuesday 28 November, as Lord Ahmad visits Colombia to meet survivors and see the UK’s work in action.

To mark the 16 Days of Activism, the UK is announcing a new package of support including:

• up to £18 million in new support for grassroots women’s rights organisations across 70 countries to tackle gender-based violence in communities, focusing on the most marginalised as part of the UK’s biggest ever funding boost to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women. Funding will improve access to services including legal aid, shelters, and health care for survivors, support more effective legislation, and help to shift harmful attitudes and behaviours to prevent violence before it starts
• the first round of successful grantees under the What Works to Prevent Violence: Impact at Scale programme which will initially support 8 women’s rights organisations in Malawi, India, Pakistan, Somalia, Eswatini, Uganda and Madagascar to implement innovative, locally-led approaches to drive down rates of violence in homes, schools, universities and workplaces
• a new £15 million UK-funded programme in Somalia to reach more than 117,000 people with help to advance the rights of women and girls in humanitarian crisis through mental health support, training for health workers to recognise signs of violence and the establishment of centres to bring together medical, legal and psychosocial services

At the halfway point of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, no country is on track to eliminate violence against women and girls by 2030. Despite the scale of the problem, UK-funded evidence shows that violence is preventable and can be reduced by 50% by focusing on the most effective approaches.

International Development Minister, Andrew Mitchell said:

Our support to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women helped reach over 400,000 women and girls in 2022, but there is more to be done.

We are stepping up our support for grassroots organisations in more than 70 countries around the world and new funding will go towards tackling gender-based violence to help empower women and girls everywhere.

These announcements come as Lord Ahmad, Special Representative for PSVI, visits Colombia, accompanied by HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh.

The minister will see how UK-funded programmes are supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) including with legal representation and psychological support, and formally hand over the chair of the International Alliance on PSVI – a growing network of 25 members established by the UK, including governments, the UN, survivors and civil society – to Colombia for 2024.

The Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and United Nations) Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

I am proud of the progress we have made over the past year in further tackling conflict-related sexual violence.

The UK and Colombia are united in our desire to achieve further justice and redress for victims of the appalling sexual violence that took place during the Colombian conflict – and for survivors around the world.

I am in Colombia this week to listen and learn from survivors’ stories and witness the inspiring efforts of the organisations who support them. Their voices and bravery to step forward continue to inspire global action.

In the year since the UK hosted the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) conference where more than 50 countries signed a declaration agreed to urgent action, the UK has lead efforts to champion survivors and hold perpetrators to account including through sanctions. As well as work in Colombia, this includes strengthening national accountability in Ethiopia, Guinea, Ukraine, and South Sudan through the UN.

Abigail Erikson, Chief of the UN Trust Fund said:

The UN Trust Fund is extremely grateful to the Government of the United Kingdom for this contribution and the impact it will have on women and girl survivors and those at risk of violence, whose lives count on the critical and lifesaving work of civil society and women’s rights organisations.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

Mr Philip Hall OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in succession to Ms Bridget Brind OBE. Mr Hall will take up his appointment this month.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Philip Ridley Hall OBE

Place of birth: Chichester, West Sussex

Married to: Karine Hall

Children: 3

Date	Role
2022 to present	Middle East and North Africa Directorate, and Full Time Language Training (Arabic)
2021 to July 2022	FCDO, Afghanistan-Pakistan Directorate
2017 to 2021	Jerusalem, Consul General
2016 to 2017	Full Time Language Training (Arabic)
2015	FCO, Additional Director, Spending Review
2012 to 2015	FCO, Head, Counter Proliferation Department
2008 to 2012	Brussels, Defence Counsellor, UK Joint Delegation to NATO
2007 to 2008	Bucharest, Deputy Head of Mission
2003 to 2006	Cabinet Office, Head of Division, European Secretariat
2002 to 2003	FCO, Deputy Head of Department, Middle East Department and Iraq Planning Unit
2001 to 2003	FCO, Deputy Head of Department, Africa Department (Equatorial)
1991 to 2001	FCO, Head, Middle East Peace Process Section, Near East and North Africa Department
1997 to 1999	FCO, Head, Economic and Financial Section, EU Department
1995 to 1997	Brussels, United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union, First Secretary Inter-Governmental Conference (Amsterdam Treaty)
1993 to 1994	Cabinet of the British Judge to the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg, Stagiaire
1990 to 1992	Herbert Smith solicitors, City of London and Brussels, Articled Clerk

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

Foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the EU High Representative gave a statement on the situation in Israel and Gaza.

Statement by G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the European Union:

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 welcome the release of some of the hostages seized on 7 October by Hamas and other terrorist organizations and the recent pause in hostilities that has allowed a surge in humanitarian assistance to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We, as the G7, urge the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally.

We call for the facilitated departure of all foreign nationals. We emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself and its people, in accordance with international law, as it seeks to prevent a recurrence of the 7 October attacks.

We appreciate the leadership of the United States and countries in the region, especially Qatar and Egypt, and their tireless efforts to secure this and future pauses. We support the significant efforts of the United Nations to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance during this pause.

This arrangement is a crucial step towards bringing all remaining hostages home and addressing the full scope of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We call on all parties to build on the provisions of the deal and to ensure greater humanitarian aid continues to reach civilians in Gaza on a sustained basis. Every effort must be made to ensure humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. We support the further extension of this pause and future pauses as needed to enable assistance to be scaled up, and to facilitate the release of all hostages.

We underscore the importance of protecting civilians and compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law. We remain steadfast in our commitment to work with all partners in the region to prevent the conflict from escalating further. Emphasizing the importance of maritime security, we call on all parties not to threaten or interfere with lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by all vessels. We especially call on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks on civilians and threats to international shipping lanes and commercial vessels and release the M/V Galaxy Leader and its crew, illegally seized from international waters on 19 November.

We remain committed to a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution that enables both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting, and secure peace.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

During a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels today (28 November), Foreign Secretary David Cameron will galvanise support for Ukraine among NATO Allies.

• Foreign Secretary David Cameron will underline the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine in his first meeting with NATO foreign ministers
• he will attend the NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels tomorrow (Wednesday 29 November)

During a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels today (28 November), Foreign Secretary David Cameron will galvanise support for Ukraine among NATO Allies.

At a gathering of the NATO-Ukraine Council tomorrow (29 November), due to be attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba, the Foreign Secretary will update his counterparts on his recent visit to Kyiv, his first trip in his new role, and underline that the UK remains firmly behind Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, urging Allies not to waver in their support.

The Foreign Secretary will also set out the need for Sweden’s urgent accession to the Alliance, stating that the agreement would mark a critical step forward in strengthening peace and stability in Europe.

The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, said:

NATO keeps over one billion people safe and secure. And nearly 75 years on, the Alliance is stronger than ever.

Putin first believed that NATO would be divided and that Ukraine would crumble. Now he believes he can wait out his war in Ukraine. He was wrong then and he is wrong now.

Together, the UK and our NATO allies will never turn a blind eye to Russian aggression. The UK will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Ukraine and a champion for European peace and stability.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 November 2023.

The UK and South Korea issue a joint statement to launch negotiations on an ungraded free trade agreement.

The RT. Hon. Kemi Badenoch MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), and Bang, Moon Kyu, Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) for the Republic of Korea, met in London on 22 November 2023 as part of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s State Visit to the United Kingdom. Following the meeting, they issued the below joint statement:

As our nations celebrate 140 years of diplomatic relations, and as His Majesty King Charles III welcomes President Yoon Suk Yeol to the United Kingdom for the first Korean State Visit in a decade, we are very pleased to announce the launch of negotiations to upgrade the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom.

Upgrading and future-proofing our FTA will further deepen our economic ties and support our innovative economies over the years to come. Negotiations will build on and improve the existing agreement, further promoting trade and investment between two like-minded nations and ensuring our growing trade and investment relationship continues to thrive.

Following productive discussions to extend temporary arrangements regarding cumulation and direct transport for two years and reflecting the changing global economic and trade landscape, we will work to agree a new Rules of Origin chapter which reduces the costs businesses face when exporting and recognises our existing and future supply chains, enabling United Kingdom and Korean industries to take full advantage of the FTA.

We will work towards a modern and comprehensive Digital chapter, which will future proof our trade relationship by including elements that facilitate more efficient and secure trade through the use of digital technologies, ensure free and trusted cross border data flows, avoid unjustified data localisation requirements and prohibit customs duties on electronic transmissions, including content transmitted electronically. Recognising the growing importance of services and investment as part of our bilateral trading relationship, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea will also work to agree modernisations to existing commitments in these areas.

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea are also committed to deepening and broadening our cooperation across a range of emerging trade agendas. We will work towards content related to supply chains which will facilitate further integration between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea’s economies and ensure customs procedures are as predictable and streamlined as possible. Cooperation on Energy will seek to help deliver against our respective climate change ambitions. Support for small and medium-sized businesses will aim to maximise the utility of our new agreement. We also believe that strengthening cooperation and collaboration between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom in the bioeconomy sector will benefit both parties’ economies. The value of our bilateral trade has more than doubled in the past 15 years and mutual investment relations have deepened in a variety of fields, including finance, insurance, and energy. We believe a strong, modernised trade agreement can further reinforce our relationship.

We have instructed our teams to hold the first round of negotiations in Seoul, commencing 22 January 2024, and further rounds of negotiations are to occur regularly thereafter. This will build on the series of positive and constructive conversations that have already been held between negotiation teams. It will also take place in the context of strong and collaborative relationship, including a shared understanding of the value of further trade integration in the region, and a commitment to share mutually beneficial experience – such as the United Kingdom’s experience of applying to join CPTPP. We look forward to significant and rapid progress, with a shared ambition to conclude this upgraded agreement in a timely fashion, building upon the strong baseline already agreed in the existing FTA.

Signed in London on 22 November 2023

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 November 2023.

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

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing and I welcome the participation of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at this meeting.

As we’ve heard, we meet because on the 21st November the DPRK made a third attempt at launching a military reconnaissance satellite. It triggered Japan’s local alert system in Okinawa forcing civilians to take shelter. That was followed by a ballistic missile launch on the 22nd November.

These are clear threats to global peace and security which is the core responsibility of this Council and they violate multiple Security Council resolutions. Moreover, these launches follow increased engagement between Russia and the DPRK, including Kim Jong Un’s visit to Vostochny Cosmodrome in September, where he met President Putin.

When asked by a reporter whether Russia would help North Korea launch its own satellites and rockets, President Putin responded “that’s exactly why we came here. The leader of North Korea shows great interest in space.”

We have in addition, credible reports of Russia sourcing weapons from the DPRK.

All this, as ASG Khiari said, has humanitarian consequences. The North Korean people suffer the most as resources are diverted. So what should this Council do?  Some argue that this Council should remain silent and avoid escalating the situation, but the DPRK shows no sign of restraint in response. In fact, the DPRK has stated its intention to launch more satellites. This follows 29 launches of ballistic missiles so far this year, including four intercontinental ballistic missiles. The DPRK has written its nuclear aspirations into its constitution.

So what should we do? First, I welcome the participation of the DPRK in today’s debate. Above all, I hope you will report to Pyongyang our concern for the people of DPRK, and in this respect, I encourage the DPRK to reopen its borders and re-engage with UN agencies.

Second, this Council should reiterate the depth of our resolve to combating proliferation. We urge the DPRK to cease its arms supply and abide by its public commitment not to sell arms to Russia.

Third, we urge the DPRK to cease these launches, return to dialogue, and take credible steps towards denuclearisation and peace on the Korean Peninsula. President, I urge this Council to demonstrate our commitment to ensure that our resolutions are enforced and to send a united message to the DPRK.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 November 2023.

Following North Korea’s ballistic missile launch on 22 November, a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson gave a statement.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

North Korea’s ballistic missile launch on 22 November is, again, a breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK strongly urges North Korea to refrain from further provocations, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.