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  • PRESS RELEASE : British Ambassador visits Chernihiv to see recovery after Russian occupation [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : British Ambassador visits Chernihiv to see recovery after Russian occupation [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 October 2023.

    British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris visited Chernihiv region in Northern Ukraine to witness how local communities return to peaceful life and rebuild after being occupied by Russian forces.

    The Ambassador started his visit in a village of Yahidne. During the occupation, Russians kept almost all villagers – 360 people, including a 6 week old child – in the basement of a former elementary school. The building has since been converted into a museum, which the Ambassador visited. Martin Harris spoke to the survivors and the head of the hromada (territorial community) about the experiences of living under occupation.

    In Ivanivka, hromada’s administrative centre, Martin Harris had a tour around the reconstructed sites once destroyed by shelling, including the administrative building, public services centre, and a local school. These reconstructions have been completed with the support of Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, where the UK is one of the leading donors.

    In Chernihiv region, PFRU selected 52 sites for early recovery based on the extent of damage and the priorities identified by the local government and communities. To date, 30 sites have been completed, including: eleven schools, four village governance institutions, two medical facilities, two shelters, four cultural development centres, five water and energy sites, a university, and a delivery of a CCTV system to aid in the preparedness for rapid evacuation in the case of incursions.

    In Chernihiv, Martin Harris met with governor of the region Vyacheslav Chaus and his team, civil society and local entrepreneurs to discuss their engagement in recovery. He also visited city hospital No 3 that PFRU helped to rebuild and equip after the siege of Chernihiv in March 2022.

    He also went to a local musical and drama theatre that was severely damaged by a Russian missile on 19 August, injuring 156 people and killing seven, including a six-year-old girl. He spoke to the theatre company and director and witnessed the outcomes of the damage and commemorated the victims of the strike.

    Martin Harris said:

    For me, Chernihiv’s theatre is a metaphor of resilience of the whole region. Despite substantial damage from a horrific Russian rocket attack in August, they have opened the autumn season just last Friday and performed to the public. I admire their spirit and determination to keep promoting Ukraine’s culture and inspiring the city’s residents.

    The UK is actively engaged in helping Ukraine rebuild, providing necessary aid with our partners via the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine to cover urgent needs of local communities. We will continue supporting Ukraine to be victorious and fully recover from Russia’s war.

    Note to the editors.

    Bordering Russia and Belarus, Chernihiv region was one of the key axes of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Parts of it were occupied between 24 February and 3 April 2022.

    The occupation of Yahidne started in early March 2022. Almost the entire population of Yahidne – more than 360 villagers – were ordered into the school basement. They received no adequate food, water, or air supply. They spent 27 days there, with 16 people dying as a result.  Now this site is turned into a museum.

    Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) is jointly funded by the UK, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. The project aims to coordinate and align stabilisation efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience against Russia’s ongoing war of aggression.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK government to arrange flights to get British nationals out of Israel [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK government to arrange flights to get British nationals out of Israel [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 October 2023.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announces that the UK will facilitate flights to help British citizens wanting to leave Israel.

    • Foreign Secretary announces that the UK is set to facilitate flights to help British citizens wanting to leave Israel
    • the first flight is expected to leave Tel Aviv today (Thursday). Further flights are planned in the coming days, subject to the security situation on the ground
    • the UK has also sent a Rapid Deployment Team to Israel to assist British citizens on the ground

    The UK government will facilitate commercial flights to the UK to help British nationals wanting to leave Israel following the Hamas attack, the Foreign Secretary has announced.

    The first flight is due to depart from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv today (Thursday 12 October).

    Vulnerable British nationals will be prioritised for these flights. At this stage we will contact those who are eligible for the flights directly and British nationals should not make their way to the airport unless they are called.

    Since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel, UK government officials have been working around the clock in London, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to support British citizens in the country. A Rapid Deployment Team has also been sent to Israel to bolster the efforts of British consular officials.

    The safety of all British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice. Those in Israel and the OPTs, including Gaza, are advised to register their presence with the Foreign Office. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to parts of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to advise against all but essential travel to all other parts.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Israel yesterday (Wednesday) to reiterate the UK’s unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people following Hamas’ terrorist attacks. He met senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israel’s right to defend itself.

    Background

    • British nationals, including dual nationals, and dependants if travelling with a British national normally resident in the UK, will be invited to take up seats on the flights.
    • these are paid commercial flights – our standard procedure. Each ticket will cost £300. This reflects the costs of operating the flight only
    • the children and other dependants of British diplomats will also be given seats, as we have a duty of care to our staff
    • while it is our intention to run these flights, security considerations will always be paramount
    • in addition to our travel advice for Israel and the OPTs, we also advise against all travel to parts of Lebanon
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK statement for 74th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK statement for 74th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee [October 2023]

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

    This statement was delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French at the 74th UNHCR Executive Committee.

    Thank you Chair, High Commissioner, and distinguished delegates.

    The UK expresses its deepest sympathies to those killed by the earthquakes in Afghanistan and the terrorist acts in Israel. We express our steadfast support to the State of Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism.

    As you recognised, High Commissioner, the conflict in the Middle East is a ‘dangerous piece in a growing mosaic of crises,’ alongside rising forced displacement – now at over 110 million people.

    In recognition of these rising urgent humanitarian needs, in 2024-2025, the UK intends to spend £1 billion globally. We have also sustained our core, unearmarked funding in 2023 and encourage others to likewise provide flexible contributions.

    High Commissioner, I would like to express our deep gratitude to UNHCR staff for your invaluable work and we applaud UNHCR’s ongoing Business Transformation efforts to make the organisation more effective and efficient.

    I want to recognise the continued generosity and leadership of host nations and communities for providing sanctuary to forcibly displaced people.

    We are gravely concerned about displacement globally, including the continued crisis in Sudan which has displaced 1.1 million people, with more affected by the day. The continued widespread violence across the country and significant civilian death toll are horrific. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have dragged Sudan into a wholly unjustified war, with utter disregard for the Sudanese people, and they will be held accountable.

    Chad, Egypt and South Sudan have led the way in providing protection to those fleeing violence. But the impact on these generous host nations – all of whom are facing their own humanitarian or economic challenges – is immense.

    In addition to £21.7 million for humanitarian assistance inside Sudan, we have committed £5 million to help meet the urgent needs of refugees and returnees in South Sudan and Chad.

    We will tirelessly pursue all diplomatic avenues to press for a permanent ceasefire, allow unfettered humanitarian access, and commit to a sustained and meaningful peace process.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also displaced around 11 million people and leaves nearly 18 million in humanitarian need.

    In response, we have provided £347 million in humanitarian assistance since the start of the invasion and, as of 25 September, there have been 186,600 arrivals of Ukrainian refugees to the UK.

    To reiterate our Foreign Secretary’s clear message, we remain steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine to recover its territory and ‘win the peace’.

    These are just two examples, but we are committed to using all our diplomatic, development and humanitarian levers to support all forcibly displaced people and peacebuilding globally. We will renew our commitment to doing so in our Development White Paper later this year.

    The UK remains committed to the Global Compact on Refugees as the best strategy to achieve greater burden- and responsibility-sharing. We recognise the fundamental part the Compact plays in ensuring the international protection regime is fit for the 21st century, including supporting inclusion and protection of the most vulnerable, including women and girls, the LGBT+ community and those with disabilities.

    Therefore, the UK aligns itself with the statement of Group of Friends on the Charter on Disability Inclusion.

    The Global Refugee Forum is an opportunity for the international community to recommit to the Global Compact. And we look forward to announcing our pledges at the Forum in December.

    UNHCR estimates there are 10 million stateless people worldwide with the Rohingya the single largest stateless population of two million and increasing, and the UK aligns itself with the statement of the Group of Friends on Statelessness.

    Over the past six years, the UK has provided £365 million to the response in Bangladesh and nearly £30 million to Rohingya and other Muslim minorities in Rakhine State.

    But the situation remains desperate.

    The long-term solution for this crisis must be the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the Rohingya to Rakhine state, once the conditions allow.

    We remain committed to making this a reality, and to supporting Rohingya refugees across the region until they can return home.

    High Commissioner, the UK Minister for the region is pleased to be co-convening the Rohingya Conference in Bangkok next week alongside UNHCR.

    On the International Day of the Girl, I want to highlight that statelessness is a gender equality issue.

    There are 24 countries that do not allow women to pass on their citizenship on an equal basis to men. These laws are a root cause of childhood and multi-generational statelessness. We call on these countries to reform their nationality laws.

    Statelessness can be ended. And we look forward to joining the Global Alliance to End Statelessness when it is launched in 2024 to help make this happen.

    Thank you very much.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54 – Statement for Item 10 General Debate [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54 – Statement for Item 10 General Debate [October 2023]

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

    Statement for Item 10 General Debate. As delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

    Thank you, Mr Vice President,

    The United Kingdom strongly supports the vital role of technical cooperation. The international community must challenge States with egregious human rights situations, but it is equally important to support States who are cooperating with the UN and those who are looking for assistance to meet their human rights obligations.

    We welcome the many countries who are doing so, who have seen the long-term benefits of technical cooperation. There is perhaps no better example of this than the many years of cooperation between the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Colombia, where there is a significant country presence. We welcome the ongoing positive example demonstrated by Colombia, and welcome its willingness to share its experience with the Council over recent sessions.

    We share the regret expressed by High Commissioner Turk over the recent closure of the Uganda country office. During its 18 years in Uganda the office engaged closely with the government and other partners on a range of important human rights issues.  We share the High Commissioner’s hope that the Uganda Human Rights Commission will be provided with adequate human, technical and financial resources to execute its mandate.

    The human rights situation in Yemen remains dire – we welcome the Arab Group’s resolution in providing technical assistance to Yemen. Monitoring and reporting to the Council by the Office of the High Commissioner would help ensure independent oversight as is the practice in other Item 10 resolutions. We encourage the Arab Group to these provisions in future resolutions on Yemen at the Council.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains committed to upholding self-determination and responsibilities in Overseas Territories – UK statement at UN Fourth Committee [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains committed to upholding self-determination and responsibilities in Overseas Territories – UK statement at UN Fourth Committee [October 2023]

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

    UK statement delivered by Mungo Woodifield, UK Spokesperson to the UN, at the UN Fourth Committee.

    Thank you, Chair.

    Chair, let me start by reiterating that the UK has a modern relationship with all of its Overseas Territories based on partnership; on shared values; and on the right of the people of each Territory to choose to remain British or not.

    The UK Overseas Territories have a large measure of internal self-government, subject only to the UK retaining powers to carry out its obligations under international law.

    We have a close bilateral relationship with each Territory, but the UK and Overseas Territory Governments also hold a Joint Ministerial Council each year to monitor and drive forward collective priorities for action in the spirit of partnership.

    We are committed to supporting the Territories on their priorities including environmental protection and to carrying out our constitutional responsibilities, including ensuring security. Across the Territories, we provide financial and practical support to build local capacity and resilience and have projects underway to build new infrastructure, including a new hospital, ports and much more.

    Mr Chair, I would like to address a couple of specific points relating to two of the UK’s Overseas Territories.

    Firstly, Gibraltar. In the coming days, we anticipate that the Committee will hear directly from the Chief Minister of Gibraltar as the elected representative of its people. We welcome their participation and restate that the UK’s longstanding commitment to the people of Gibraltar remains unchanged.

    The UK will not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes.

    The United Kingdom also reaffirms that it will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.

    Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the UK Government, together with the Government of Gibraltar and the Government of Spain, agreed to a Political Framework on how a future agreement between the UK and EU in respect of Gibraltar would function in the interests of all parties.

    These negotiations began in October 2021 and the UK, working side-by-side with the Government of Gibraltar, is committed to concluding a UK-EU treaty as soon as possible.

    Mr Chair, the second specific issue I wish to address is the Falkland Islands.

    Let me reiterate that the UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over both the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and their surrounding maritime areas. Nor do we have any doubt about the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination. This is enshrined in the UN Charter and in Article One of both of the two UN covenants on human rights, by virtue of which they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

    In the 2013 referendum, which was conducted in line with international standards and was observed by independent, international observers, 99.8 per cent of those who voted wanted to maintain their current status as a Territory of the United Kingdom. This result sent a clear message of self-determination, and that the people of the Islands do not want dialogue on sovereignty.

    These wishes – expressed freely – should be respected.

    The people of the Falkland Islands are an established and diverse community, with families being able to trace their South Atlantic ancestry back ten generations, and over 60 different nationalities are represented across the population.

    The Falkland Islanders remain resilient in the face of harassment from Argentina – they are looking to a future in which their young people can freely travel the globe to play sports without fear of backlash from Argentina; in which they can share their wealth of knowledge on environmental protections with international partners; and importantly, a future in which they can have a peaceful and cooperative relationship with their neighbours, free from hostility.

    The UK continues to hope for a stronger, more productive relationship with Argentina, including in relation to the Falkland Islands. We believe this is in everybody’s interest and stand ready to take that forward, but not at the expense of the Falkland Islanders right to determine their own future. This means that there can be no dialogue on sovereignty unless the Falkland Islands so wish.

    Chair, in conclusion, the UK remains committed to respecting and defending the right of the people of each Territory to determine their own future, in line with the UN Charter.

    Let me also reassure you that the UK will continue to carry out our responsibilities as part of our modern relationship with each of the territories.

    Thank you, Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia continues its brutal attacks causing widespread destruction – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia continues its brutal attacks causing widespread destruction – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2023]

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

    UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says Russia’s attack in Hroza was despicable, killing more than 50 people, but notes Russia continues to blunder as it shoots down one of its own fighter jets.

    Madam Chair, before I turn my attention to Ukraine, I would now like to say a few words about the terrible events that unfolded over the weekend in Israel. The UK strongly condemns Hamas’ appalling acts of terror against Israeli citizens, and we call for an end to the attacks on Israel. Hamas’s indiscriminate use of violence and the resulting civilian casualties is horrific. The number of Israeli citizens killed has surpassed 1,200 and continues to rise. The taking hostage of over one hundred Israeli citizens is heinous. The UK stands steadfast in support of Israel and its right to self-defence. Hamas does not represent the legitimate aspirations of Palestinian people and offers them nothing other than more terror and bloodshed. Hamas’ despicable acts have also resulted in the deaths of over 830 Palestinians in Gaza and at least 19 Palestinians in the West Bank.

    Turning now to events in Ukraine, it has been two weeks since this Forum last sat and during this period we have unfortunately witnessed Russia continue its despicable attacks, causing the death and destruction of Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure.  Russia conducted heavy shelling over the weekend in Kherson and Donetsk resulting in several civilian casualties. This comes after Russia’s missile strike in the village of Hroza which killed more than 50 people, including an 8-year-old boy. Reporting estimates that Russia killed one in five of the population of Hroza in one single event.

    Meanwhile, the Ukrainian people are resisting Russia’s unprovoked attack with resolute conviction. While the fighting is hard going, Ukraine continues to enjoy success on the battlefield. Ukrainian headway in clearing Russia’s minefields and defensive fortifications has taken time and cost many lives. But Ukraine has made steady progress. Ukraine’s armed forces recaptured more than half the territory Russia seized illegally in February 2022, including Snake Island, Kharkiv and Kherson. Russia has been unable to defend Bakhmut, the only gain in Russia’s winter counter-offensive. And, since this Forum last met to discuss Ukraine, Russia has committed further blunders, shooting down one of its own Su-35 jets. In contrast, Ukraine’s armed forces have shown bravery, ingenuity and determination in reclaiming their land.

    A critical aspect of Ukrainian success has been the sustained pipeline of military aid that the United Kingdom and our partners have provided to Ukraine. As a key member of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, the United Kingdom will continue in its military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. In a demonstration of the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, the United Kingdom has also committed £4.7 billion to non-military support.

    Madam Chair, Russia continues to spend vast resources on its self-destructive war. The longer Russia fights, the more Russia loses, and the weaker Russia becomes. Russia has suffered almost 200,000 casualties and 50,000 fatalities. In spite of this, Russia continues with this morally abhorrent campaign. Declassified intelligence warned last month that the Russian military had attempted a missile strike against a cargo ship in the Black Sea. The UK declassified further intelligence last week showing that Russia may continue targeting civilian shipping, including by laying explosive devices in the approach to Ukrainian ports.  Once again civilians and civilian infrastructure will bear the brunt.

    As my Foreign Secretary said: “Russia’s pernicious targeting of civilian shipping in the Black Sea demonstrates Putin’s total disregard for civilian lives and the needs of the world’s most vulnerable.  The world is watching – and we see right through Russia’s cynical attempts to lay blame on Ukraine for Russia’s attacks. We and our allies stand united against Putin and his attempts to harm Ukraine, and thus harm the rest of the world.”

    Madam Chair, as we have highlighted many times in this Forum, we are presented with the clear situation of Russia, as a member of this organisation, having ruthlessly invaded Ukraine without provocation. We have also highlighted previously the multiple civilian deaths following Russian strikes in Kremenchuk and Kramatorsk. It is truly tragic, therefore, that we must now add the name of Hroza to the list of events which display the very depths of Russian depravity. In the face of these horrors, Ukraine will continue to fight for as long as is necessary and the United Kingdom will remain unwavering in its support. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement to the 104th Session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement to the 104th Session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons [October 2023]

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

    Statement to the 104th Session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons by Her Excellency Joanna Roper, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    Mr Chairperson, Director General, Excellencies, colleagues,

    We acknowledge the progress made in recent months towards the eradication of the use of chemical weapons, including the opening of the ChemTech Centre, the expansion of capacity building activities in support of States Parties and the destruction of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles, as set out by the Director General this morning. Thank you to the Director General, the Technical Secretariat and all those leading working groups and clusters of issues. Despite this progress, we know that challenges remain.

    In August, we joined other States Parties in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Assad regime’s horrific chemical weapons attack on Ghouta, which killed 1,400 innocent civilians – including hundreds of women and children. At the end of this week, we will recognise another important date – 10 years since Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention. This should be a moment to mark, as a step towards a world without chemical weapons. Instead, we reflect on at least 9 subsequent Assad regime chemical weapons attacks and the further, significant loss of innocent life in egregious violation of international law in Syria.

    These attacks confirm beyond all doubt that, in spite of repeated Syrian Regime assurances, Syria did not declare and destroy all of its chemical weapons in 2013. The Syrian Regime has continued to obfuscate and block progress to resolve serious outstanding issues with its declaration. Until these outstanding issues are resolved, we cannot rule out the possibility that the Assad regime will use chemical weapons again.

    Mr Chair,

    We acknowledge the contents of the Noted Verbale submitted by Syria, but note that without meaningful engagement with the OPCW, its chemical weapons programme will continue to pose a threat to regional and international security. We must uphold the Convention by fortifying our pursuit of: Syrian compliance with the CWC, accountability and risk reduction.

    Mr Chair,

    Russia continues to make baseless allegations of chemical attacks in Ukraine and the prospect of Ukrainian ‘chemical provocation’. Considering Russia’s recent track record of using chemical weapons, we are gravely concerned that these allegations could be used as the pretext for Russian use of chemical weapons in their illegal and abhorrent violation of Ukraine’s sovereign and internationally recognised territory. Any use of chemical weapons by Russia in Ukraine would have severe consequences.

    Ukraine’s Notes Verbale to the Technical Secretariat and a Russian state media report indicate widespread Russian use of riot control agents in the prosecution of its illegal war, in contravention of Article I of the CWC.  We look forward to Russian answers to Article IX questions posed in a Note Verbale submitted to the Technical Secretariat on 6 October. The UK will remain steadfast in its support of Ukraine’s efforts to protect itself against the threat of chemical weapons and to investigate possible use, noting the option set out in the Convention and in decisions of policy-making organs.

    Mr Chair,

    We recognise important work, supported by the majority of states, to enhance the effectiveness of the OPCW and ensure its continuing viability. We commend progress made to establish the Working Group on Geographical Representation and to drive discussions on tenure policy.

    We also welcome States Parties’ spirit of cooperation and the work of the Technical Secretariat to finalise the biennial budget. We recognise that the trade-offs are difficult, but we remain committed to supporting efforts to achieve affordable outcomes that protect OPCW core activity. Let me close by acknowledging all the hard work by the Director General and colleagues that has gone into pursuing these outcomes. Thank you Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to Kenya [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to Kenya [October 2023]

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

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla will undertake a State Visit to Kenya, from Tuesday 31st October to Friday 3rd November 2023.

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla will undertake a State Visit to Kenya, from Tuesday 31st October to Friday 3rd November 2023, to celebrate the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge.

    The visit is at the invitation of President Ruto and comes as Kenya prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence. His Majesty’s first visit to a Commonwealth nation as King is therefore to the country in which Queen Elizabeth II’s reign began, having acceded to the throne in Kenya in February 1952.

    The King and Queen will visit Nairobi City County, Mombasa County and surrounding areas. Their Majesties’ programme will reflect the ways in which Kenya and the United Kingdom are working together, notably to boost mutual prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development and create a more stable and secure region.

    During the visit, Their Majesties will meet President Ruto and the First Lady as well as and other members of the Kenyan Government, UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines. The King will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangari’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai. The King and Queen’s programme will celebrate the close links between the British and Kenyan people in areas such as the creative arts, technology, enterprise, education and innovation. The visit will also acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenya’s shared history, including the Emergency (1952-1960). His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya. Together, Their Majesties will tour a new museum dedicated to Kenya’s history and will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Uhuru Gardens, as well as visiting the site of the declaration of Kenya’s independence in 1963.

    The King and Queen’s programme also will include:

    • Their Majesties will be greeted in Nairobi with a ceremonial welcome at State House and will each attend bilateral meetings – The King with The President and The Queen with the First Lady, before The President hosts a State Banquet at State House.
    • His Majesty will visit the United Nations Office at Nairobi, to learn more about the work of UN Habitat and the UN Environment Programme. UNON is the only UN Headquarters in the Commonwealth.
    • His Majesty will attend a technology showcase, meeting Kenyan entrepreneurs who are driving forward innovation in the country’s tech sector. Kenya has the third largest start up eco-system in Africa.
    • His Majesty will host a reception focussed on Kenya’s young people and future leaders across development, trade, media, the creative arts and environmental conservation.
    • Their Majesties will visit a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, joining British and Kenyan military personnel in an act of Remembrance, before hearing about the Commission’s recent work to ensure all those who supported Britain’s efforts in both World Wars are commemorated.
    • The King and Queen will visit Nairobi National Park to witness the vital conservation work being undertaken by the Kenya Wildlife Service, which is integral to Kenya’s thriving tourism industry.
    • Her Majesty, Patron of the equine welfare charity Brooke, will hear how the charity is working with the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals to rescue donkeys at risk and promote their welfare.
    • The King, as Captain General of the Royal Marines, and The Queen, will visit Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa. There, Their Majesties will witness Kenyan Marines, trained by the Royal Marines, demonstrating a covert beach landing, showing defence collaboration in action.
    • The Queen will meet survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, learning how they are supported and sharing her own insights from working in this area.
    • The King will meet faith leaders from Mombasa’s diverse community, hearing how they are working together to promote harmony amongst the city’s population.

    Notes to Editors

    Previous visits to Kenya

    The King has undertaken three previous official visits to Kenya, in 1971, 1978 and 1987. Both Their Majesties have also previously visited the country privately.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Defence Minister Baroness Goldie reaffirms UK commitment to the Philippines [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Defence Minister Baroness Goldie reaffirms UK commitment to the Philippines [October 2023]

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

    UK Defence Minister Baroness Goldie celebrates the relationship between the UK and the Philippines during her visit to Manila and Legazpi this week.

    Baroness Goldie will meet with Defence Minister Teodoro on Wednesday in Manila. They will discuss the strengthening UK – Philippines relationship and shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    Reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the region, the Ministers also discussed the UK’s recent Integrated Review Refresh and the importance of maritime security and upholding maritime law.

    The Minister will visit HMS Spey in Legazpi and attend the closing ceremonies of naval exercise SAMA SAMA, supporting international defence cooperation and the rules-based international order. HMS Spey will observe the joint PH-US maritime exercise, alongside Japan, Australia and Canada. Together with our allies, the UK is committed to freedom of navigation.

    HMS Spey, the greenest ship in the Royal Navy, is on a five-year operation to the Indo-Pacific region alongside her sister ship HMS Tamar. Working with partners, the ship is helping tackle security challenges and support nations to deal with the impacts of climate change.

    To pay her respects to all those fallen, the Minister will lay a wreath at the Commonwealth War Grave in the American Cemetery in Manila. The CWGC work tirelessly to maintain cemeteries around the world to ensure that the fallen will always be appropriately remembered.

    UK Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie, said:

    The UK remains committed to our relationship with the Philippines, and I am pleased both to be visiting for the first time and to be the first UK defence Minister to visit in many years.

    I look forward to visiting Exercise SAMA SAMA, and discussing how the UK and the Philippines can deepen our defence cooperation as part of our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    Baroness Goldie will discuss the UK’s enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific and regional peace and security during her visit. The UK Government is committed to further strengthening ties with the Philippines.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54- UK Statement on Haiti [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54- UK Statement on Haiti [October 2023]

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

    Statement for Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the interim report on Haiti. Delivered by the UK at the 54th Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

    Deputy High Commissioner,

    We thank you for your report and appreciate the continued cooperation of the Haitian authorities. We strongly support the Haitian people’s demands for security, stability and justice. Accordingly, we welcome the recent resolution of the United Nations Security Council authorising the deployment of a multinational security support mission led by Kenya.

    The widespread human rights violations such as abductions, sexual violence and murder by armed gangs outlined in this interim report are alarming. The increasing number of internally displaced persons as a result of gang violence, the vast majority of which are women and children, is a further pressing concern.

    The UK stands in strong support of the vital work on human rights being carried out by the international community in Haiti.

    The Haitian government must fulfil its obligation to protect its citizens: gang violence against innocent civilians must end, and those responsible for these human rights violations must be held accountable.

    Deputy High Commissioner,

    We would like to ask whether you see opportunities for greater collaboration between the Haitian government, national and international entities in the response to the growing internal displacement crisis.

    Thank you.