Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 October 2023.

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

Thank you Mr President, and thank you High Commissioner Grandi for your sobering briefing. This meeting comes at a crucial time. As we’ve heard, the number of people who have been forced from their homes has reached a record high of 110 million. Sadly, this trend is set to continue.

New emergencies are pushing the limits of an already strained humanitarian system, including the crisis in Gaza. We are committed to responding to humanitarian needs. It is also vital that regional stability is maintained, not least given the already high number of refugees in the region.

This Council has a role in tackling rising displacement. And I’ll make four points in this regard.

First, we need to shine a light on neglected crises. In 2017, over 740,000 Rohingya fled horrific ethnic cleansing in Myanmar and sought refuge in Bangladesh. They remain vulnerable and reliant on dwindling aid. This is why this month, the UK, with UNHCR and the US, co-convened a high-level event on Rohingya refugees, where we announced an extra $5.5 million of UK humanitarian support.

Second, we need to establish conditions that enable refugees to return in a safe, voluntary and dignified way. In Syria many refugees in the region want to return home, but report that they do not feel safe to do so. This Council, and all those with influence, must insist that these conditions are in place.

Third, we must recognise that as well as conflict, climate change is also driving displacement. The UK is partnering with the UAE at COP28 to increase access to climate finance for the most vulnerable, including displaced people. We aim to ensure that they have the means to manage the impacts of climate change, to help reduce climate-driven displacement and instability.

Finally, the Global Refugee Forum in December will be a key moment for us to tackle rising displacement together. The UK will be making several pledges to drive initiatives on education, inclusion and protection, and help deliver long-term solutions for refugees and host countries.

We hope other Members will join us in these pledges. To conclude, President, in the face of unprecedented need we agree with the High Commissioner: now is the crucial time to collectively deliver meaningful change for displaced people.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 October 2023.

The Minister of State for the Middle East and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain co-chaired the first session of the UK–Bahrain Strategic Dialogue on 31 October 2023.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 October 2023.

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

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 October 2023.

The British Ambassador to Guatemala, Nick Whittingham, made a statement on the conclusion of the Guatemalan General Election Process 2023.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 May 2023.

The UK, US and Canada have coordinated new sanctions on Myanmar military financiers and arms dealers.

• UK, US and Canada announce further round of sanctions to maximise pressure on the Myanmar military regime
• sanctions target arms dealers responsible for the supply of restricted goods to the security forces, as well as financiers of the military
• UK reiterates calls for accountability and a return to democracy and freedom in Myanmar

The UK, US and Canada are today (31 October) announcing further sanctions on arms dealers and financiers of the Myanmar military responsible for the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar. The latest round of UK sanctions are against 5 individuals and one entity involved either in providing financial services to the regime or the supply of restricted goods including aircraft parts.

Today’s sanctions package comes as part of the UK’s concerted efforts with international partners to restrict the sale and transfer of arms and finance in response to ongoing and worsening aerial attacks, including against civilians in Myanmar. In 2022, alone there were over 600 reported airstrikes perpetrated by the Myanmar military.

Since the coup in February 2021, at least 3,857 have been killed by the military, and at least 1.2 million have had to flee their homes due to violence, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.

The announcement follows a report from UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews, which called for further coordinated sanctions to prevent arms dealers bypassing restrictions.

Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said:

The UK unequivocally condemns the regime’s brutal campaign against the Myanmar people.

Together with our international partners, we are closing the net on Myanmar arms dealers and the Myanmar military’s financiers with new sanctions that will aim to limit their access to key resources and revenue to prevent further such attacks.

The UK will continue to call for accountability, justice and an end to the violence. We remain steadfast in our support for the Myanmar people and their aspirations for a peaceful and democratic future.

On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically elected government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and installed a military regime. Since then, they have used violence and atrocities to maintain power and suppress any opposition voices.

The UK, US and Canada have taken coordinated and targeted action to hold the military regime to account for their brutal suppression of opposition voices. The sanctions designations announced today will maximise concerted pressure on the Myanmar military regime to engage with calls for a return to democracy and aim to limit regime access to key resources while minimising consequences for the civilian population.

Since the coup, the UK has designated 25 individuals and 29 entities under the Myanmar Sanctions Regime and designated the military’s 2 key conglomerates and their 111 subsidiaries under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The UK continues to lead international efforts to undermine the regime’s credibility and constrain their access to revenue and arms.

Background

Those sanctioned today are:

• Myo Thitsar: has been involved in the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar through the supply to Myanmar of restricted goods. Namely, through her role as having been Head of Department, Procurement & Supply of Dynasty International
• Htoo Htet Tay Za: has been involved in the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar through the supply to Myanmar of restricted goods and/or restricted technology, and/or of material related to such goods or technology, and through making available funds or economic resources to the Myanmar security forces. Namely, through his role as having been a director of Htoo Group of Companies
• Pye Phyo Tay Za: has been involved in the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar through the supply to Myanmar of restricted goods and/or restricted technology, and/or of material related to such goods or technology, and through making available funds or other economic resources to the Myanmar security forces. Namely, through his role in Myanmar Avia Services, Yangon Aircraft Engineering Company Limited and Htoo Group of Companies
• Kyaw Min Oo: has been involved in the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar through the supply to Myanmar of restricted goods and/or restricted technology, and/or of material related to such goods or technology. Namely, through his role as director of Sky Aviator Company Limited
• Sit Taing Aung: has been involved in the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar through the supply to Myanmar of restricted goods and/or restricted technology, and/or of material related to such goods or technology. Namely, through his role as having been director of Yatanarpon Aviation Services and work with Mottama Holdings
• International Group of Entrepreneur Services Company Limited (IGE): has been involved in the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar through making available funds or other economic resources to the Myanmar security forces

Asset freeze

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world.

Travel ban

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 October 2023.

The first United Kingdom Central America Association (UK-CAAA) ministerial Council has taken place in London, to discuss issues including co-operation and trade.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 October 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council emergency meeting on Gaza.

Thank you, President.

I’d like to thank Commissioner-General Lazzarini, Executive Director Russell and Director Doughten for your stark and clear briefings.

Let me start by recognising the courage, commitment and sacrifice of UN employees and humanitarian workers in Gaza, and in particular the 103 aid workers – including the 64 UNRWA staff – who have been killed in Gaza in the last 22 days.

We also offer our sincere condolences to all Palestinians and Israelis who have suffered or lost loved ones.

Since Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October, the United Kingdom has underscored Israel’s right to self-defence against terrorism. We continue to be clear that this must be done in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Our efforts, with our international partners, have focussed on the protection of civilians, securing and scaling up humanitarian access, and the release of hostages. Sadly, despite these efforts the situation in Gaza deteriorates daily. Hamas bears sole responsibility for starting this conflict.

President, I would like to highlight three priorities.

First, we call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the principles of proportionality, distinction and necessity. This requires all parties to take every possible step to avoid the harming of civilians and the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

Second, we must urgently co-operate to scale up aid into Gaza, and to ensure sufficient access points are open. For this to happen successfully there needs to be a safer environment, which necessitates humanitarian pauses. We support UN-led efforts in this regard.

Since the latest escalation in Gaza, the UK has committed over $36 million in additional aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. An RAF flight arrived in Egypt on 25 October carrying 21 tonnes of UK aid for Gaza. But the access environment needs to improve immediately so that these and other lifesaving resources can reach the people who desperately need them.

Third, we cannot allow this conflict to spread. We call on all countries in the region to help avoid escalation and warn non-state actors not to exploit the current situation.

President, the Palestinian Authority has a key role as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. We call on Israel and other states to support the PA. We call on Israeli authorities to tackle the rising number of settler attacks and killings in the occupied West Bank, recalling that it is their responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians there.

The UK retains the long-term goal of a Two State Solution with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully.

To reach that goal, we have a responsibility to ensure a plan for Gaza that offers the population hope, security, stability, prosperity, and effective governance so that their political wishes can be fulfilled. In this regard, some fundamental principles apply.

There should be no mass displacement of Gazans to neighbouring countries. The Palestinian Authority should play a central role. And nothing should be done that cuts across progress towards a Two State Solution, with Gaza as an integral part of a Palestinian state.

Thank you, President.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 October 2023.

Minister Rutley and Chile’s Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs will sign a joint commitment to work together to enhance the protections for the Antarctic.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean, David Rutley MP, arrives today in Chile to strengthen collaboration between the UK and Chile, as both nations celebrate 200 years of bilateral relations.

While in the country, Minister Rutley, together with Chile’s Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Gloria de la Fuente, will sign a joint commitment to work together to enhance the protections for the Antarctic.

The Letter of Intent on Antarctic Co-operation reaffirms both countries commitment to enhancing environmental protection for the Antarctic and to ensuring that it remains a region that is dedicated to peace and scientific research.

During his visit minister Rutley will also meet young climate leaders who have been selected by Chile to attend COP28 later this year. He will hear about their work with the British Embassy Chile and discuss the efforts of both countries to mitigate the impacts of climate change and achieve the roadmap to net zero.

The Minister will then go on to Villa Grimaldi, a former detention centre during Chile’s dictatorship to demonstrate the UK’s strong commitment to democracy and human rights, and to mark the 50th anniversary of the military coup in Chile and reflect on the suffering it caused.

His visit to the country also includes a trip to the Araucanía Region to meet and engage with members of the indigenous community, as well as regional authorities and local organisations that promote women’s entrepreneurship.

FCDO Americas Minister David Rutley MP said:

It is an honour to be able to visit Chile as we celebrate 200 years of bilateral relations.

Ours is a friendship underpinned by longstanding historical links, shared values and commitment to democracy, and we’re putting that into action this week with a clear commitment to extend our landmark co-operation agreement on the Antarctic.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 October 2023.

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

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 October 2023.

UK announces support for moratorium on granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining by the International Seabed Authority.

The UK government has today announced its support for measures designed to protect the world’s ocean and improve the conservation of marine biodiversity.

Ahead of International Seabed Authority (ISA) negotiations starting today, and a month ahead of COP28, the UK government has announced its support for a moratorium on the granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects – which involve the extraction of minerals such as precious metals, copper and cobalt – by the ISA.

This means the UK will not sponsor or support the issuing of any such licences until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the potential impact of deep sea mining activities on marine ecosystems and strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines have been developed and adopted by the ISA.

The UK is an international advocate for the highest possible environmental standards and has been pushing the ISA to develop strong and enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines on deep sea mining.

To support this, a new UK-based environmental science expert network on deep sea mining will be launched to gather scientific data and increase the effective use of the UK’s world-class research through cross-disciplinary learning. This will build on the independent evidence review on deep sea mining carried out by independent experts following a government commission in 2022.

The network will bring together the UK’s environmental science expertise to help fill the current evidence gaps on the environmental impact of deep sea mining and share internationally.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

The UK is a global leader when it comes to protecting the marine environment. That is why we will use our scientific expertise to fully understand the impact of deep sea mining on precious ecosystems; and in the meantime, we will not support or sponsor any exploitation licences.

This work will go alongside our wider efforts to conserve and enhance precious marine habitats around the world.

The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State (Development and Africa) said:

The UK is an international advocate for the highest possible environmental standards and we will keep pushing for strong and enforceable regulations, standards and guidelines for deep-sea mining. Until we fully understand the impact of deep-sea mining on our marine ecosystems, it is right that we seek to protect them.

Clare Brook, CEO of Blue Marine Foundation, said:

Deep-sea mining threatens some of the rarest and most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth. Blue Marine is therefore delighted to see the UK supporting a moratorium on deep-sea mining, along with other leading economies such as Germany, France and Sweden.

There are cheaper, cleaner and more secure ways of producing minerals as the world transitions to net zero without causing the catastrophic and permanent destruction of fragile ocean life.

Blue Marine welcomes the Government’s proposal to convene a UK scientific expert group on deep-sea mining, which would underline the UK’s position as a leading voice in ocean conservation.

The measures set out today further demonstrate the UK’s commitment towards ocean conservation and protection.

Over recent years, the UK has:

• Committed to protecting at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 through a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and driven this forward through UK-chaired Global Ocean Alliance
• Supported developing countries to protect the marine environment through projects to protect and restore habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses through the £500 million Blue Planet Fund
• Tackled the scourge of plastic pollution, recently consulting on a ban on wet wipes containing plastic, as part of efforts to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042
• Designated the first three Highly Protected Marine areas in English waters, enabling nature to fully recover by removing all harmful activities including fishing, construction and dredging, increasing marine biodiversity and supporting climate-resilient ecosystems to thrive
• Created a network of 178 marine protected areas across 35,000 square miles of English waters, with a commitments for 70% of designated features to be in a favourable position by 2042

This action will support the delivery of targets in the UK’s Environment Act, underpinned by its Environment Improvement Plan – the five-year blueprint for action to halt and reverse the decline of nature.