Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 December 2023.

David Cameron is making his first visit to Washington DC as Foreign Secretary to reaffirm the strength of the UK-US relationship and support for Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary will travel to the United States today (Wednesday 6 December) to reaffirm both the strength of the UK’s relationship with its closest strategic ally and our unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

He will also discuss the Middle East, getting humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in Gaza and how the UK and US can work towards enabling a long-term two-state solution which allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live together in peace.

In his first visit to Washington DC as Foreign Secretary, David Cameron will discuss how the enduring partnership between the UK and US is delivering security and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic and upholding democratic values where they are threatened around the world.

It comes as the UK will, on Wednesday, target military suppliers who are propping up Putin’s war machine through a series of sanctions. Foreign suppliers exporting equipment and parts to Russia are among dozens of individuals and groups to be sanctioned to starve Putin of the resources he needs for his illegal war in Ukraine.

Ahead of the visit, the Foreign Secretary has announced a new winter humanitarian response package of £29 million for Ukraine and will bolster support with a further £7.75 million for humanitarian activities that will focus on the needs of the most vulnerable in Ukraine, such as women, girls, older people and people with disabilities.

Funding allocations are part of the UK’s overall £127 million of humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region in 2023 to 2024, as announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June.

The Foreign Secretary will hold an intensive round of diplomatic talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to reaffirm international cooperation and support for the Ukrainian people as they approach two years of battling Russian forces.

While in Washington, the Foreign Secretary will also meet key Congressional figures on both sides of the House.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

The UK and the US are deeply bound by a shared mission to defend the values that provide security and prosperity for us all.

That is why we remain unwavering in our support of Ukraine. If we allow Putin’s aggression to succeed, it will embolden those who challenge democracy and threaten our way of life. We cannot let them prevail.

We also stand united in the Middle East, working together to ensure long-term security and stability in the region, and in responding to the challenges posed by China.

The UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine against Russia’s aggression was highlighted by David Cameron choosing to travel to Kyiv last month for his first overseas visit as Foreign Secretary.

The UK’s total military, humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine now amounts to £9.3 billion.

The UK and US are equally united in promoting prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific as they respond to the epoch-defining challenge of China, and the Foreign Secretary will discuss how the UK is strengthening national security protections, while engaging where it is consistent with the UK’s national interest.

The Foreign Secretary’s visit also reflects the immense value the UK places on its trade relationship with the US and will build on work to deliver the Atlantic Declaration, a first-of-a kind economic partnership which was agreed by the Prime Minister and President Biden earlier this year and will see the UK and US working together more closely than ever across the full spectrum of economic, technological, commercial and trade relations.

With the UK and US sharing a $1 trillion investment relationship, a re-energised and enhanced economic relationship presents huge opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic – supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy and create better paying jobs.

During his visit to Washington, David Cameron will set out the UK’s foreign policy priorities at a live event at the Aspen Security Forum on Thursday.

Background

• The Foreign Secretary’s address to the Aspen Security Forum will be livestreamed
• after the US, the UK is the second largest donor of military assistance to Ukraine, committing £4.6 billion to the country so far
• the UK’s £29 million winter humanitarian response package for Ukraine will go towards supporting the UN and Red Cross, with roughly half of it supporting winter allocations for the UN-managed Ukraine Humanitarian Fund
• the US trades more with the UK than any other individual country. The investment relationship is worth over a trillion dollars, and bilateral trade was worth £310 billion in the 4 quarters to the end of quarter 2 2023
• the UK has already signed 7 individual arrangements with Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Oklahoma, Washington and Florida, and is actively engaging with other states including Texas and California

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 December 2023.

Support from UK Export Finance means that British firms have secured contracts to upgrade critical infrastructure in Benguela Province and protect the region against future flooding.

• The UK government has issued guarantees which secure Standard Chartered Bank to arrange financing for a €415 million contract between exporter Innovo Group and Angola
• The largest-ever sovereign transaction which UKEF has closed in Sub-Saharan Africa, this enables the delivery of critical infrastructure in Benguela Province, a coastal region of Angola vulnerable to flooding and poor drainage
• Over a third of the contract – more than £140 million – will be spent on UK goods and services, with British and Angolan communities alike to benefit from the deal

The UK has issued loan guarantees which allow British exporter Innovo Group to secure a €415 million contract to deliver critical infrastructure projects in Benguela Province, a region in the west of Angola adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean.

The support has been issued through UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the government’s export credit agency – and means that projects will now go ahead to improve the region’s potable water supply, storm drainage, sanitation, roads, public lighting, and commercial infrastructure. This includes the municipalities of Benguela, Baía Farta, Catumbela and Lobito.

Comprising 23 individual projects, the programme is expected to support 11,000 local jobs across a range of sectors including construction over the next five years.

During the UN’s COP28 climate change summit, UKEF announces the deal as an example of the role played by international trade in supporting global adaptation against climate change and extreme weather.

Benguela Province is a coastal region vulnerable to flooding and poor drainage. UKEF’s support allows the Angolan government to finance Innovo Group’s contract using funds arranged by Standard Chartered Bank, as Structuring and Coordinating Bank, Bookrunner and Mandated Lead Arranger.

This allows the Benguela province to benefit from new water supplies, stormwater channels and drainage networks aimed at reducing the risk and impact of flooding and other climate related events.

The projects will generate a direct spend of over £140 million on UK exports which are expected to support a water supply and drainage projects, road rehabilitation and community facilities.

Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister for Development and Africa said:

This ground-breaking deal will provide critical infrastructure that will change lives and reaffirm our commitment to building mutually beneficial partnerships as we prepare for the UK-African Investment Summit next year.

Our partnership with Angola is long-standing, and this funding will provide huge benefits to the people of Benguela province, including new water supplies and protection from the harsh impacts of climate related events including flooding.

By teaming up to tackle climate change now, we are creating a more resilient and sustainable future – it is clear that we can go far when we go together.

Paul Woodman, CEO of Innovo Projects, said:

We are delighted to have secured this most important project that will have a hugely positive impact for the people and communities of the Benguela province, as well as making the region more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This is the third contract we have secured in Angola with the support of UK Export Finance and we would like to thank all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Works & Housing, for their cooperation in bringing this project to fruition.

Faruq Muhammad, Global Head of Structured Export Finance at Standard Chartered Bank, said:

We’re proud to be the Angolan government’s long-standing banking partner once more to bring about social, cultural and economic positive change for thousands of people in the Benguela Province, with improved infrastructure, water supply and building renovations.

Innovo Group will also deliver projects which support the development of the local economy, including road rehabilitation works, renovation of historic buildings, andthe construction of a fish market in Benguela City for traders who currently work outdoors without refrigeration.

This follows the export credit agency’s announcement in January of support for Innovo (then trading as ASGC UK) to build a specialist burns hospital in Angola’s capital city, Luanda.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 December 2023.

The UK government announces new sanctions targeting people and groups that are supplying and funding Putin’s war machine.

• UK announces 46 new sanctions targeting individuals and groups supplying and funding Putin’s war machine
• this includes businesses in Belarus, China, Serbia, Turkey the UAE and Uzbekistan who continue to support Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine
• by including entities operating in China, Serbia, and Uzbekistan the UK has now taken action against over 30 third-country entities supporting Russia’s war efforts. This signals the UK’s no tolerance approach to those enabling Russia’s illegal war, wherever they may be

Foreign military suppliers exporting equipment and parts to Russia are among dozens of individuals and groups sanctioned today to target those helping Putin’s war machine.

Russian weapons manufacturers and defence importers were also among the list of 46 new sanctions imposed as well as 3 actors supporting the Wagner Group network and 4 operators of so-called ‘shadow fleet’ vessels used by Russia to soften the blow of oil-related sanctions imposed by the UK alongside G7 partners.

As the Prime Minister said to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a call last week, the UK’s support for our Ukrainian allies is steadfast. Today’s measures will disrupt Putin’s ability to equip his military through third-party supply chains in Belarus, China, Serbia, Turkey, the UAE and Uzbekistan.

The move will hit Russia where it hurts and starve Putin of the resources he needs for his illegal war on Ukraine.

Today’s package comes as G7 leaders are due to discuss and agree additional measures designed to:

• go further to bear down on the revenue Russia needs to finance Putin’s war machine
• prevent Russia from accessing inputs to its military and industrial base, and
• demonstrate to Russia there is a price to pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine

Among those sanctioned today are:

• Russia’s military industrial complex: 31 individuals and entities linked to designing and manufacturing drones and missile parts and importing and supplying key electronic components. This includes several directors and their immediate family members
• third country suppliers to Russia’s military:
  • JSC Display Design Bureau, a Belarusian defence organisation linked to manufacturing military technology for the Belarusian regime, which has directly facilitated Putin’s illegal war
  • AVIO CHEM, a Serbian company which has sent multiple shipments of aircraft parts and accessories to Russian entities
  • MVIZION, an Uzbek company which acted as intermediary to import parts to Russia
  • a Turkish entity, Smart Trading Limited, involved in the supply of sanctioned western electronics to Russia
  • 3 Chinese entities: Asia Pacific Links Limited, Sinno Electronics Co., Limited, and Xinghua Co., Limited, supplying sanctioned goods, critical for Russia’s war efforts
• Wagner Group related: 3 entities and individuals linked to the Wagner Group’s wider network, including RUSICH Military group, a private Russian company active in Ukraine and its commander
• oil related: 4 UAE-based entities using opaque corporate structures and deceptive shipping practices to facilitate unfettered trade in Russian oil, bearing down on Russia’s efforts to generate war revenues

Sanctions are starving Russia’s military of key western components and technology. Alongside our partners, sanctions on international supply chains have resulted in a 98% reduction of Russian imports of battlefield technology from sanctioning countries. Pre-invasion Russia was a major exporter of arms. Instead, it is now having to turn to North Korea and Iran for unreliable equipment and to buy back parts it previously exported to other countries. While the world is moving forwards technologically, Russia is going backwards.

In tandem with today’s sanctions, the National Crime Agency has today issued an advisory for the UK’s regulated sector. This advisory provides banks and other firms with key red flags of transactions and customer attributes commonly associated with sanctions evasion. We call on industry to report all suspicious activity, and potential sanctions breaches as set out in the guidance.

Sanctions Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Today’s sanctions will hit Putin where it hurts, damaging Russian defence systems, and cracking down on illegal supply chains propping up Russia’s war machine.

Working alongside our G7 partners and international allies we will continue to ratchet up pressure on Putin and crack down on third parties providing restricted goods and technology to Russia, wherever they may be.

Today’s sanctions tackle Russia’s repeated attempts to circumvent and offset the clear impact UK sanctions are having on its war effort.

In August the UK launched one of its largest ever actions targeting Russian military suppliers and last month took action to disrupt a covert procurement network used by Russia to acquire critical western technology. Today’s announcement builds on these actions and cracks down on those who continue to supply and fund Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 December 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly meeting on the Law of the Sea.

Mr President, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, is a major achievement of diplomacy and international law-making. It is critical to the rules-based international system. Its provisions apply to 70% of the surface of the globe and form an essential component of global governance.

UNCLOS has made a significant contribution to global peace, prosperity and security by providing consistency and certainty concerning the governance of the ocean. It provides the legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas.

UNCLOS sets out the legal framework for maritime claims and the rules of freedom of navigation. It sets out obligations for bilateral, regional and international cooperation, including for the conservation and management of living resources, for the protection and preservation of the maritime environment, and for the peaceful settlement of disputes. This legal framework applies in the South China Sea as it also applies across the rest of the world’s oceans and seas.

This year, we welcomed the adoption of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement. This Agreement is the third implementing agreement under the Convention and is historic for biodiversity. We support its entry into force as soon as possible. The BBNJ agreement will mean much greater protection for the two-thirds of the global ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction. It will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It is critical that we work toward upholding the commitments in the GBF to help achieve the target to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.

We take this opportunity to reinforce the critical role that both the BBNJ Agreement and Global Biodiversity Framework have in relation to the topics covered by both the resolutions Oceans and Law of the Sea and Sustainable Fisheries.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 December 2023.

UK announces £15m to help support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Somalia.

• UK funding to Gaashaan project will support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Somalia.
• £15 million of funding announced during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence will empower communities to work to end sexual and gender based violence and tackle child protection concerns.

To mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, the British Embassy Mogadishu last week announced the launch of Gaashaan, a £15 million project to help support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

The Gaashaan project (which in Somali means “shield”), will reach over 117,000 people, offering improved access to specialised protection services for communities in Somalia impacted by El Niño. It will also work to empower communities, working with them to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and other forms of violence impacting women and children. The project will also help tackle child protection concerns, all of which are compounded and increased by conflict and climate change occurrences.

Speaking at the time of the launch, Development Director, British Embassy Mogadishu, Damon Bristow, said:

This is another important milestone to address gender based violence and the harm it causes. It also shows UK’s continued commitment to support Somali women and girls so they can reach their full potential.

In the first six months, the project will respond to the impacts of El Niño, aiming to reach about 5,000 women and children directly impacted by severe flooding in Somalia.

The project will run for five years and will be delivered by a consortium of six partners led by Save the Children working alongside the International Rescue Committee, CARE International and four National NGOs: Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC), Somali Women and Development Centre (SWDC), Somali Women’s Studies Centre (SWSC) and Gargaar Relief and Development Organisation (GREDO).

Khadra Jama, Director, Gaashaan Consortium, said in a statement:

Somali women and children face numerous challenges including a protracted security situation in the country coupled with the impact of climate change in Somalia. The United Kingdom’s support comes as Somalia needs it most, as millions of Somalis have been displaced due to flooding.

We are grateful to the British Embassy for providing Somali women and children, along with other vulnerable groups, with much needed and timely support.

Women and children are the ones who suffer the most during humanitarian crises like El Niño and this assistance will give them immediate protection and support.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 December 2023.

The British Embassy Mogadishu announces almost $7 million to support the humanitarian response to El Niño in Somalia.

• British Embassy Mogadishu announces £5.5 million of humanitarian funding for El Niño response in Somalia.
• UK support will provide vital health, nutrition, water and sanitation to some of Somalia’s most vulnerable flood-affected communities.
• The UK has also announced £7.4 million drought insurance protection for Somalia.

The British Embassy Mogadishu has announced almost $7 million (£5.5 million) of additional funding to support the ongoing humanitarian response to El Niño in Somalia.

In the last month, heavy rains and flooding in parts the country have impacted over two million Somalis, with more than 700,000 people displaced from their homes.

This much needed additional humanitarian assistance will offer life-saving support to those affected by the floods including food security assistance, health, nutrition and water, hygiene and sanitation. The heavy rains and flooding in Somalia come after two years of protracted drought and associated humanitarian impacts.

The new humanitarian funding comes as the UK announced £100 million of support to countries vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, at COP28 on 3 December. This included £7.4 million to support the Federal Government of Somalia’s access to drought response insurance cover over the next three years through African Risk Capacity (ARC), which will provide rapid payouts to vulnerable communities if rains fail.

Speaking about the innovative drought insurance cover, Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said:

Somalia faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with the devastating effects of climate change hitting the most vulnerable the hardest. Extreme weather can be catastrophic – and it’s vital that Somali communities are protected and prepared.

This funding will provide rapid and targeted support where it is needed most, if rainy seasons fail over the next three years. This long-term approach will help Somalia to better plan and prepare for the risk of drought, part of the commitment by the UK and its partners to build climate resilience across the continent.

This support extends a ground-breaking partnership with the Africa Development Bank which brings innovative new crisis financing mechanisms to Somalia for faster responses to save lives.

Recognising the urgency of the challenges posed by climate change, which forces 26 million into poverty every year, the UK also joined calls at COP28 for bolder collective action to protect the lives, health and livelihoods of those most impacted by climate change.

UK Development Director to Somalia, Damon Bristow, said:

As Member States meet in Dubai at COP28, El Niño flooding in Somalia is a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change today on vulnerable countries. If global temperatures continue to rise, countries like Somalia will continue to experience more frequent weather extremes with disastrous human impacts without affected adaptation.

This new funding announcement will be crucial to ensure affected communities are reached with timely support. We have committed to support prevention measures as well the response to the crisis.

Notes to editors:

• You can follow UK activity in Somalia on Twitter/X and Facebook (@UKinSomalia) or at www.gov.uk/world/somalia/news
• UK humanitarian support to Somalia for 2023 and 2024 now stands at £53.5 million. In May 2023, the UK Minister for Africa announced £48 million of humanitarian funding in response to the effects of climate change. Read more: UK pledges support for over a million people in East Africa – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• During the UK-hosted Global Food Security Summit, the UK announced up to £100 million in humanitarian funding to countries worst impacted by food insecurity, including Somalia: UK summit to boost food security through science and innovation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• The UK announced £100 million to support vulnerable countries tackling climate change on 3 December 2023 at COP28. Read more: £100m for vulnerable countries tackling climate change – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 December 2023.

Ms Alexandra McKenzie has been appointed British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam in succession to Mr John Virgoe.

Ms Alexandra McKenzie has been appointed British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam in succession to Mr John Virgoe who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms McKenzie will take up her appointment during August 2024.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Alexandra McKenzie

Place of birth: California, USA

Marital Status: Married, with three children

Year	Role
June 2022 to present	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Deputy Director for Northern Ireland Policy
Jan to May 2022	DEFRA, Deputy Director Water, Flood and CBRN Emergencies
2020 to 2021	Bangkok, Deputy Head of Mission
2015 to 2020	Singapore, Deputy Head of Mission
2013 to 2015	FCO, Southeast Asia Department, Deputy Head
2009 to 2013	Berlin, First Secretary, Foreign & Security Policy
2007 to 2008	Paris, First Secretary Political
2004 to 2006	Beijing, Head of Communications and Media
2003 to 2004	FCO and Beijing University. Full-time Mandarin language training
2001 to 2002	FCO, EU Enlargement Desk Officer

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 December 2023.

Flagship UK-Kenya COP27 climate projects have reached milestone achievements ahead of COP28 as UK supports new Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative.

• UK and Kenya have progressed transport, geothermal and agriculture projects agreed at COP27
• The UK has helped design President Ruto’s green industrialisation initiative
• UK will also invest KES 1 billion ($7.1m) million for solar powered irrigation and 100 electric buses

Flagship climate projects fast-tracked at COP27 between the UK and Kenya have reached milestone achievements ahead of COP28 with multiple projects making progress since last year’s climate summit.

The UK has also supported the design and development of President Ruto’s new industrialisation initiative for Africa – the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII). The projects support this initiative by creating jobs, increasing economic growth and boosting trade.

The KES 12.5 billion Menengai Geothermal project – which will generate 35MW of electricity, providing approximately 750,000 Kenyans with affordable, clean energy and create 200 jobs during construction, is proceeding to financial close with construction expected to begin shortly after.

A KES 31 billion agreement has also been reached with the Kenyan Development Corporation and UK-funded investor United Green to establish an area bigger than Nairobi National Park for climate-smart farming – this will save Kenya $200m annually on food imports and help reduce Kenya’s trade deficit.

These are the latest developments for the six deals agreed between President Ruto and Prime Minister Sunak at COP27 – which total over KES 500 billion of investment. Exactly one month after the 2022 summit in Egypt, construction began at Nairobi Railway City – a green, urban regeneration project centred around a new railway station in Nairobi. Ground was broken at Menengai Geothermal in June of this year, and the United Green-KDC agreement becomes the latest milestone.

These investments are flagship projects of the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership – an ambitious five-year agreement which is unlocking mutual benefits for the UK and Kenya – and do not load Kenya with unsustainable debt.

British International Investment will also announce KES 1 billion ($7.1m) for two projects in Kenya, as part of a wider package of investment in Africa.

KES 321 million ($2.1m) will provide solar-powered and water-efficient irrigation systems to 9,000 farmers in Kenya, which will help to increase farmers income as well as build their resilience and adapt to the impact of climate change. The upfront cost of the irrigation systems will also be reduced by 25-40% through an innovative carbon credit facility, making the systems more affordable for farmers.

KES 765 million ($5m) will go towards the manufacture of 100 electric buses – in Kenya – that will meet Kenyan’s demand for affordable but clean public transport. As they replace diesel powered polluters, they will stop 5,000 tonnes of CO2 entering the atmosphere every year.

British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, said:

It is a sign of the strength of the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership that these three projects have reached new milestones by COP28. The UK and Kenya are going far and going together. We are proud to support the President’s AGII. Combined with these investments from British International Investment, the UK and Kenya will deliver what Kenya’s people want – growth, jobs and trade – in a way that is sustainable and protects our planet”.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 December 2023.

At COP28 in Dubai, the Government of the Philippines unveiled the first Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan to build the country’s resilience to climate change. This historic initiative has been developed through a Philippines-UK collaboration under British Investment Partnerships.

The Philippines’ NAP sets the direction for the country’s adaptation priorities and identifies opportunities to mobilise investment towards these. Through British Investment Partnerships, the UK has delivered £600,000 of technical assistance through Boston Consulting Group to support the Philippines in formulating the NAP.

Welcoming the NAP, British Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, said:

I’m delighted that the UK has partnered with the Philippines to support the development of the country’s first NAP. The NAP is an essential tool that enables the Philippines to set out key policies, actions, and targets that it will pursue to adapt to the unavoidable consequences of climate change. This document is also an important step in enabling the Philippines to attract and deploy both public and private finance that support adaptation priorities.

The NAP process has used cutting-edge climate analytics to estimate the future impacts and cost of climate change in the Philippines. In August 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Climate Change Commission, together with the UK, conducted a series of multi-stakeholder consultations for the NAP, attended by government and agencies, NGOs, CSOs, the private sector, and international development partners to gather inputs to inform sector-specific strategies.

The NAP provides a strong market signal for priority investment sectors in the coming years and offers a blueprint to guide the work of international partners operating in the Philippines.

The Philippines is one of the most climate vulnerable countries globally. The World Risk Index has identified it as the country facing the highest climate and disaster risk in the world. In response, the NAP identifies priority sectors including: agriculture and food security, water, health, ecosystems and biodiversity, land use and human settlements and displacements, livelihood and industries, and critical energy, transport and communication infrastructure. To ensure effective implementation, the NAP also outlines the key enablers, including governance, skills and capacity development, data and knowledge infrastructure, technology and innovation, adaptation financing, and stakeholder engagement.

Notes to Editors

About British Investment Partnerships

• British Investment Partnerships brings together a range of financial instruments and expertise to help incentivise investment into developing countries. Our work through BIP represents the UK’s contribution to the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 December 2023.

The UK delivered a statement during Turkmenistan’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council on 6 November 2023.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President,

The United Kingdom welcomes steps taken by Turkmenistan in recent months to allow entry to an International Labour Organization (ILO) mission to examine forced labour in the cotton harvest, though we note the allegations of continued use of state-sponsored forced labour in the annual cotton harvest. We strongly urge the government to take action on allegations of torture, and restrictions on freedom of religion, or belief, assembly and expression.

The UK remains concerned over enforced disappearances, access to information for citizens and gender-based violence. Many of the recommendations which Turkmenistan supported during its last UPR cycle, including those concerning the signature of the Rome Statute and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, have not been carried out

We recommend Turkmenistan:

1. Sign and ratify the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.
2. Introduce legislation which prohibits the use of forced labour and establishes preventative mechanisms and appropriate oversight structures, working closely with the ILO.
3. Remove restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and on access to information.

Thank you.