Tag: Foreign Office

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.

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

Interactive dialogue on the interim oral update by the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua. Statement delivered by the UK at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr Vice President.

A climate of repression pervades Nicaragua. The systematic use by the Nicaraguan authorities of threats and coercion, arbitrary detention and imprisonment, and the forced exile and stripping of nationality of opponents is becoming all too familiar.

The absence of an independent judiciary and the passing of legislation designed to mute dissent has resulted in further erosion of the freedoms of association and expression.

Moreover, the unjustified decision of 10 May 2023 by Nicaragua’s National Assembly to rescind the legal status of the Nicaraguan Red Cross Association and confiscate its assets is deeply regrettable. This closure is part of a wider, coordinated set of actions by the Nicaraguan authorities directed against civil society organisations, educational and charitable institutions; more than 3,000 institutions have been closed since 2018.

We will continue to use our voice at multilateral institutions such as the UN Human Rights Council to condemn the human rights violations committed by Nicaraguan authorities and support the work of the UN’s Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua.

Deputy High Commissioner,

We would welcome your views on what more can be done to obtain the release of all political prisoners and the restoration of all civil and political rights by the Nicaraguan authorities.

Thank you.

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

The FCDO has issued a statement on the escalation of violence in Sudan.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development spokesperson said:

The past week has seen an escalation of violence in Gezira State, Sudan, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have advanced towards Wad Medani. The town had been a safe haven for displaced people and an important hub for the delivery of essential humanitarian aid. We urge the RSF to cease their attacks and we condemn reports of the arbitrary arrests of civilians in Wad Medani carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces.

We are very concerned by the situation in El Fasher, following reports of renewed fighting on December 16. We call on both sides to comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, and urge them to refrain from actions that will exacerbate the conflict and further divide Sudan along ethnic lines. The only way to sustainable peace is through a civilian-led and inclusive peace process and we commend the recent efforts by regional partners, led by The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to bring the parties together.

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

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

Thank you, President, a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza and the intense suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians shows no sign of abating. Israel is reckoning with the brutal horror of the 7 October attacks. More than 130 hostages continue to be held by Hamas. Just this morning, I met with the parents of one girl still held hostage, I will carry their words with me for a long time.

As my Prime Minister has said, we need a sustainable ceasefire that breaks the cycle of violence. Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel, all hostages must be released, and aid must flow into Gaza. This is the only way to achieve a sustainable peace based on a two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security.

President, we are focused on three areas:

First, too many civilians have been killed. Israel must be targeted and precise in its efforts to address the threat posed by Hamas, and should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians. Civilian infrastructure must be protected in line with international humanitarian law. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have repeatedly delivered this message to Israel, and we will continue to do so.

Second, we need to continue to work on increasing the amount of humanitarian support into Gaza through as many direct routes as possible. The agreement to open Kerem Shalom is welcome. We look forward to its urgent implementation. Israel should also immediately increase the range of humanitarian items allowed into Gaza.

Third, as we heard today, in recent months the violence of extremist settlers in the West Bank has dramatically increased.  Since 7 October, there have been eight Palestinians killed by Israeli settlers, including one child, and at least 1,257 displaced amidst settler violence and access restrictions. We strongly condemn these hateful acts, which undermine prospects for peace. We are banning those responsible for settler violence from entering the UK to make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these intimidating acts. Israel also must do more to hold perpetrators of settler violence to account and to end the demolition and confiscation of Palestinian property.

And we reiterate our call on Israel to immediately and completely stop all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and its Lower Aqueduct. We are clear, these settlements are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability and delivery of a two-state solution which must become a reality to ensure justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2023.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, responds to North Korea missile tests.

The UK condemns the latest launches of an Intercontinental ballistic missile on 18 December and a short range ballistic missile on 17 December by North Korea; these actions clearly breach multiple UN Security Resolutions.

This repeated escalation of testing is deeply damaging for regional stability and further destabilises the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK strongly urges North Korea to refrain from illegal launches, return to dialogue swiftly and to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2023.

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

Thank you, President. Let me thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and the wider UN Secretariat for their support in the implementation of resolution 2231. I also thank Ambassador Olof Skoog for his briefing and Ambassador Frazier for her briefing and work as facilitator.

President, since refusing the opportunity to restore the JCPoA through the deals tabled in 2022, Iran has continued to escalate its nuclear programme. Transition Day has now passed and the UK & EU have maintained proliferation-related sanctions on Iran, in accordance with the JCPoA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism. The UK is fully committed to using all diplomatic tools to prevent Iran from delivering a nuclear weapon.

The IAEA reports that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is 22 times over JCPoA limits. It manufactures and operates thousands of prohibited advanced centrifuges, gaining irreversible knowledge which the JCPoA sought to prevent. Iran continues producing highly enriched uranium, for which there is no credible civilian justification, calling into question the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Additionally, Iran is launching missiles that are capable of delivering nuclear weapons and is testing technologies directly applicable to medium and long-range ballistic missiles, in the form of satellite launch vehicles.

President, Iran’s missile programme remains of fundamental concern for nuclear non-proliferation.

The Secretary-General has acknowledged evidence showing that, during the period of restrictions under this resolution, Iran developed and exported missiles without seeking the Council’s authorisation. Iran supplied ballistic missiles to armed groups in Iraq, Yemen and Syria, which are targeting Red Sea shipping and Coalition personnel in the region. And as USG DiCarlo said, the UK has also provided evidence that Iran supplied UAVs to Russia. These UAVs have subsequently been used to attack civilians in Ukraine. All such transfers were in violation of resolution 2231.

Resolution 2231’s restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile activities may have been lifted, but the Council must continue to hold Iran to account for its proliferation activities by this or any other resolution.

Thank you.