Tag: Foreign Office

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls on South Sudan’s leaders to take urgent steps to end violence and restore dialogue – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls on South Sudan’s leaders to take urgent steps to end violence and restore dialogue – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 August 2025.

    Statement by Ambassador Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on South Sudan.

    President, I will make three points.

    Firstly, the United Kingdom remains concerned by the continued violence across South Sudan, which has led to widespread suffering.

    As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report, military offensives and intercommunal clashes continue to devastate communities.

    We condemn these repeated attacks, including aerial bombardments against civilians, humanitarian workers and medical facilities.

    We call on South Sudan’s leaders to take urgent and concrete steps to halt the violence and restore dialogue, and we urge all parties to protect civilians and comply fully with international humanitarian and human rights law.

    Second, President, as we have heard today, the political situation continues to deteriorate.

    The ongoing house arrest of First Vice President Machar undermines the core principles of the 2018 peace agreement and is a serious obstacle to reconciliation.

    Meanwhile, persistent reshuffles have caused further destabilisation, and government institutions are not operating as they should.

    The United Kingdom echoes the African Union’s call for the immediate release of all political detainees, including the First Vice President.

    This is necessary for credible and inclusive dialogue.

    We also encourage renewed political engagement with regional efforts to advance peace in South Sudan.

    Thirdly, the United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by the ongoing acute humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, with over 7.7 million people facing severe food insecurity, and a cholera outbreak that has claimed more than 1,400 lives.

    These conditions are being exacerbated by spillover from the conflict in Sudan and by the effects of climate change.

    The situation in South Sudan is a clear example of the linkages between climate, peace and security. We commend UNMISS for its tireless work in addressing these climate-related risks, as well as its broader efforts to enable the delivery of aid and protect civilians.

    In this respect, President, the United Kingdom calls on South Sudan’s leadership to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all civilians in need, irrespective of political affiliation or ethnicity.

    And with respect to broader efforts to build resilience and secure lasting peace, we also urge South Sudan’s leadership to take meaningful steps to address the growing impacts of climate change as a key driver of fragility and instability.

  • PRESS RELEASE : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland–Republic of Korea Senior Economic Dialogue 2025 – Joint Communiqué [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland–Republic of Korea Senior Economic Dialogue 2025 – Joint Communiqué [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 August 2025.

    The UK and Republic of Korea held a Senior Economic Dialogue in Seoul on Monday 18 August 2025.

    The Second Vice Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Jina, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP (hereinafter referred to as “the Ministers”), co-chaired the second UK–ROK Senior Economic Dialogue in Seoul on 18 August 2025.

    The Ministers welcomed the opportunity to meet under two new administrations, reaffirming the strength of the UK–ROK Global Strategic Partnership and their shared commitment to advancing sustainable economic growth, resilience, and prosperity. They acknowledged the evolving global economic landscape, including developments in US economic policy, trade relations with China, and ties with the EU.

    The Ministers welcomed the opportunity today to discuss these issues of shared economic interest and recognised the ongoing efforts of both governments to deepen cooperation across a broad range of areas, including national economic security, defence-related industrial cooperation, and other economic diplomacy issues.

    Bilateral Economic Cooperation

    The Ministers reaffirmed the UK-Korea Global Strategic Partnership, centred around shared interests of growth and economic elements. They reviewed progress of negotiations for an upgraded UK–ROK Free Trade Agreement. They noted the successful conclusion of five negotiation rounds and reaffirmed their ambition to complete talks by the end of 2025.

    Both sides committed to deepening the bilateral trade and investment relationship, and agreed to work together to foster a favourable environment for each other’s business activities in their respective countries.  Ministers noted the complementarity of industrial strategies and discussed greater cooperation in priority sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies, defence industry and engineering biology.  They welcomed the UK’s recent ministerial visit to Korea to promote investment opportunities and the growing bilateral investment pipeline. Ministers expressed support for the first UK-ROK Investment Dialogue at senior official level.

    The Ministers reaffirmed commitment to enable our Joint Defence Exports MOU by facilitating defence industrial collaboration.

    Science, Technology and Innovation

    The Ministers discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation in science and technology, including artificial intelligence, quantum, engineering biology, and space. They welcomed the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and ROK’s ambitious new strategy to become a world-leading AI power.

    They reaffirmed support for the UK–ROK Digital Partnership and looked forward to the next Digital Partnership Forum.

    Economic Security

    Both sides shared the view on the importance of advancing economic security cooperation among like-minded countries, and agreed to enhance collaboration on key issues such as the supply chains of critical minerals, through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a multilateral consultative body on critical minerals.

    Energy Transition and Climate Cooperation

    The Ministers agreed to deepen multilateral climate collaboration ahead of COP30 and welcomed efforts to enhance the UK-ROK Clean Energy Partnership.  Minister West welcomed ROK’s continued efforts to transition away from fossil fuels and to submit an ambitious 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

    Ministers noted shared economic growth opportunities through deeper collaboration in expanding clean energy and ensuring energy security.  They discussed opportunities for joint work on nuclear fuel supply chains, including UK investment in LEU and HALEU capabilities.

    Development and Global Cooperation

    The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the UK–ROK Strategic Development Partnership and the implementation of the agreed action plan: to hold workshops enhancing understanding of the ODA implementation systems of the UK-ROK by the end of 2025. They shared their intent to strengthen cooperation in global health.

    They discussed the upcoming 8th replenishment of the Global Fund, under the UK’s joint hosting with South Africa.  The Ministers reiterated the importance of continued multilateral efforts to fight against infectious diseases, AIDS, TB and malaria.

    Multilateral Engagement

    The Ministers discussed cooperation in multilateral forums including the G7, G20, and CPTPP. The UK  offered to share lessons from its own experience of CPTPP accession. Both sides committed to continued dialogue on Indo-Pacific–Euro-Atlantic cooperation.

    Next Steps

    The UK and Korea agreed to further deepen our economic cooperation in various fields including trade, defence, climate and AI and technology. They also welcomed the intention to strengthen links between Korean and British businesses, parliamentarians and academics, including through a proposed UK-Korea High Level Forum.

    The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to holding regular Senior Economic Dialogues, to monitor progress of the bilateral economic cooperation and identify new areas for collaboration and economic growth.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint donor statement on the situation in and around El Fasher, Sudan [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint donor statement on the situation in and around El Fasher, Sudan [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 August 2025.

    Joint statement on behalf of 29 donors on the situation in and around El Fasher, Sudan.

    “As fighting continues unabated in North Darfur, Sudan, hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped in and around the city of El Fasher besieged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). All trade routes and supply lines have been cut off, and humanitarian organisations have been unable to deliver lifesaving aid for over a year. Even communal kitchens, which have been feeding civilians across the country on the frontline of the humanitarian response, have had to shut down due to food shortages. The price of food staples is surging, leaving families unable to afford basic items even when they are available. People are starving as a result: famine was confirmed in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps close to El Fasher in August 2024, has spread since and is expected to spread further during the current lean season. Rising cases of cholera exacerbate the worst effects of malnutrition. Over 60 people have already reportedly died from malnutrition during the past week.

    “The civilians of North Darfur – especially women and girls – have been exposed to horrific violations, including alarming rates of conflict-related sexual violence, since the onset of the conflict in April 2023. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, including markets and hospitals, have left the population with no access to healthcare. Recent reports shed light on the large-scale and repeated violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated by the RSF in Zamzam IDP camp in April 2025, where over 1,500 civilians are said to have been killed. In El Fasher, civilians are reportedly being killed as they try to exit the city. The recent attack on Abu Shouk IDP camp killed at least 40 civilians according to local sources. The International Criminal Court’s Office of the Prosecutor stated in July 2025 that there are reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been, and continue to be, committed in Darfur.

    “Similar famine-like conditions and dreadful attacks persist in other areas of Sudan, especially in the Kordofans due to brutal hostilities across the states and the ongoing siege of Kadugli.

    “This cannot continue.

    “All parties to the conflict are responsible for the protection of civilians in Darfur and Kordofan. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF made clear commitments in the Jeddah Declaration (May 2023) to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We urge all parties to demonstrate their compliance with this commitment by guaranteeing the immediate, unconditional, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to populations in need as well as protecting and preventing violations against civilians, in particular women and children and including humanitarian personnel, and civilian infrastructure at all times.

    “To this end, we specifically call on the RSF and their allies to halt the siege on El Fasher, as requested under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736 (2024). We urge the RSF to grant a humanitarian pause for rapid, safe and unconditional humanitarian access to the people in need and safe passage of civilians to leave areas of active hostilities on a voluntary basis, in the direction they choose.

    “We further call on the SAF to renew their agreement to this humanitarian pause in El Fasher and put in place the necessary approvals to facilitate the work of humanitarian organisations.

    “We reiterate our call on the SAF to permanently open the Adré border crossing point for humanitarian actors, to lift bureaucratic impediments and to allow timely delivery of humanitarian and basic needs assistance across the country.

    “We call on all parties to urgently allow UN-led convoys and sustained UN presence, including senior international staff, across Sudan’s territory, especially in the Darfurs and Kordofans, to enable the rapid scale up of humanitarian assistance to the population in need.

    “We stand with the people of Sudan and humanitarian organisations – local and international – who are working tirelessly and under extremely challenging conditions to assist them. Civilians must be protected, and humanitarian access must be granted. Accountability must be ensured.”

    This statement has been signed by:

    Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management

    Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain

    Åsmund Aukrust, Minister of International Development of Norway

    Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa of the United Kingdom

    Gabija Grigaitė-Daugirdė, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania

    Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), Canada

    Elsebeth Søndergaard Krone, State Secretary for Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

    Diana Janse, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation of Sweden

    Mariin Ratnik, Undersecretary for Economic and Development Affairs of Estonia

    Dominik Stillhart, Head of Swiss Humanitarian Aid, Deputy Director General of Swiss Development Cooperation

    Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechia, the Republic of Finland, Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the Hellenic Republic, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Ambassador Visits San Miguel Community in Poptún [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Ambassador Visits San Miguel Community in Poptún [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 August 2025.

    The visit highlighted progress made through a UK project which supports sustainable development and environmental conservation in southern Petén.

    UK Ambassador to Guatemala, Juliana Correa, visited the community of San Miguel in Poptún on 13 August, where the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF) is investing approximately £16,000 to support local initiatives.

    The project has provided piped water access to 38 families (benefiting around 210 people), supported environmental protection systems for 21 families, and helped 14 families revive traditional bean cultivation practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and wildfire risks.

    During the visit, the ambassador learned about community conservation efforts, including more than 50 environmental monitoring tours, maintaining firebreaks across an area of 551 hectares, and strengthening local governance in collaboration with Guatemala’s National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP).

    San Miguel has been a benchmark in the region, promoting cooperation agreements that have inspired other communities to follow similar processes. The United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to working alongside Guatemala to address the effects of climate change, protect biodiversity, and combat poverty.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Pakistan saves billions through UK backed governance reforms [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Pakistan saves billions through UK backed governance reforms [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 August 2025.

    A landmark UK programme has successfully concluded after delivering major reforms across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    The UK’s Sub-National Governance Programme ran from 2019 to 2025, unlocking over £1.9 billion in public finance through improved planning, budgeting, and revenue mobilisation.

    Working closely with provincial governments, the programme has helped to achieve savings to reinvest into other public services. For example, it helped the Government of Punjab to develop a comprehensive pensions reform plan. This included the introduction of a new pensions scheme where both the employer and employee pay in, which is expected to save the Government of Punjab PKR 2.7 trillion over the next 30 years.

    Reforms through the programme have also directly supported people’s livelihoods. In Punjab, 35 million people’s social and economic data was collected, meaning the government can now better target urgent cash assistance and food subsidies. The programme helped design and rollout social protection initiatives such as Ba-Himmat Buzurg, which offers elderly people with no source of income financial assistance, and the Himmat Card which provides financial support for people with disabilities in Punjab. In KP, it helped overhaul waste management, introducing sustainable door-to-door waste collection which is now being scaled up across the province.

    British High Commission Development Director, Sam Waldock, said:

    This programme shows what is possible when strong partnerships come together to support long-term reform, changing people’s lives. We’ve strengthened institutions, improved service delivery, and helped Pakistan unlock more of its resources to finance its own development. That has led to direct improvements to the day to day lives of millions- from helping people to access essential cash assistance, to creating waste management systems which makes their surroundings cleaner and more hygienic.

    The UK’s work on governance reform in Pakistan will continue. In collaboration with UN Development Programme, the UK will continue to focus on sustained institutional reform and improved public financial management. Several key initiatives, including further reforms to provincial pension schemes, will be carried forward in the UK’s new National Governance Programme.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Collaborative action from the international community is needed as Yemen faces worsening food insecurity – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Collaborative action from the international community is needed as Yemen faces worsening food insecurity – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 August 2025.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

    First, it is now one month since the latest Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which resulted in the tragic loss of life of at least four crew members.

    The UK reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of ongoing Houthi attacks and calls for the immediate release of those taken hostage.

    As we highlighted in yesterday’s high-level open debate, maritime security must be safeguarded. I reaffirm the UK’s support for Resolution 2722 and the principle of freedom of navigation.

    The Yemen Maritime Security Partnership, or YMSP, is an essential mechanism for international cooperation with the aim of protecting Yemen’s waters, safeguarding maritime trade, combating illicit activities and rebuilding the capabilities of the Yemen Coastguard.

    The UK is proud to co-host the inaugural YMSP High-Level Conference on 16 September in Riyadh, alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We call upon our international partners to join and support this initiative.

    Second, the UK commends the recent interdiction of 750 tonnes of weapons intended for the Houthis, by forces aligned to the Government of Yemen.

    This illicit transfer of weapons directly undermines the stability of Yemen and the wider region, and is in clear breach of the arms embargo.

    We call upon all Member States to ensure full compliance with Resolution 2216.

    Third, as we’ve heard today, Yemen faces worsening food insecurity.

    18.1 million people, over half the population, are projected to experience increasing food insecurity in the next six months, some areas face catastrophic levels of food insecurity for the first time in almost two years.

    We need quick and collaborative action from the international community in order to reverse this trajectory, and to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

    The UK once again reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of aid workers arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.

    These detentions are making humanitarian access more difficult and dangerous at a time when the needs of Yemenis are rapidly increasing.

    President, the UK remains committed to supporting the efforts of the Special Envoy and his team in charting a path towards long-term stability and security.

    It is what the people of Yemen and the wider region need and deserve.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 August 2025.

    Joint statement on behalf of 32 partners on aid to Gaza and restrictions facing NGOs.

    Joint statement:

    The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised.

    However, due to restrictive new registration requirements, essential international NGOs may be forced to leave the OPTs imminently which would worsen the humanitarian situation still further. We call on the government of Israel to provide authorisation for all international NGO aid shipments and to unblock essential humanitarian actors from operating. Immediate, permanent and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe, large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs and humanitarian partners. All crossings and routes must be used to allow a flood of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical equipment. Lethal force must not be used at distribution sites, and civilians, humanitarians and medical workers must be protected.

    We are grateful to the US, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in pushing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace. We need a ceasefire that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to enter Gaza by land unhindered.

    This statement has been signed by:

    • The Foreign Ministers of Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
    • The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Collective action is vital to secure the safety of our seas for future generations – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Collective action is vital to secure the safety of our seas for future generations – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 August 2025.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Maritime Security.

    The United Kingdom commends Panama’s leadership in upholding international maritime standards through its work to remove ships from its registry that fall short of international regulations.

    We further recognise the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to maritime security and flows in international trade.

    As a fellow maritime nation, the United Kingdom emphasises the importance of keeping trade routes open and secure. They are vital to our shared economic prosperity.

    We reaffirm our commitment to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas.

    But we note with deep concern that the rule of law and the safety of our sea lanes is being eroded.

    This includes reckless Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which the United Kingdom unequivocally condemns.

    We call for the immediate cessation of such attacks and full respect for freedom of navigation.

    As we’ve heard from the briefers, other illicit activities, including illegal fishing, smuggling and illegal migration, pose further threats to maritime security.

    The United Kingdom is implementing programmes to target organised crime groups and disrupt such activities taking place across maritime routes and seaways.

    We are also supporting capacity building and the strengthening of governance at seaports.

    Tackling these challenges means working with international partners across all regions.

    This includes collaboration through the International Maritime Organisation as the pre-eminent global forum for maritime issues.

    For our part, the United Kingdom is leading efforts together with the IMO, Member States and industry to develop a Maritime Cyber Code to enhance the resilience of ports, ships and the digital ecosystem.

    President, collective action is vital to secure the safety of our seas for future generations.

    The United Kingdom stands ready to work with all Member States in support of this shared objective.

  • PRESS RELEASE : British investment boost in Ukraine to benefit both countries [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : British investment boost in Ukraine to benefit both countries [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 August 2025.

    British investment boost in Ukraine to support security and prosperity of both countries.

    • new UK package of support for Ukraine’s immediate and longer-term needs at Ukraine Recovery Conference
    • UK and Ukraine conclude historic deal for Thales Air Defence missiles, boosting British growth and jobs and keeping Ukraine in the fight
    • UK also confirms up to £283 million in bilateral assistance for Ukraine over the next year

    Two hundred British jobs will be created and another 700 safeguarded in a major defence deal between the UK and Ukraine to be signed at this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC).

    The jobs at Thales in Belfast come as the UK and Ukraine successfully conclude the largest export credit agency-backed deal in Ukraine.

    Supported by a £2.5 billion guarantee with a 19-year financing agreement, the funds can now be released. This enables the delivery of more than 5,000 Air Defence missiles from British business Thales – in what is not only a major boost to the UK’s defence capabilities but will also keep Ukraine in the fight, boosting their defence against Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion.

    Representing the Prime Minister at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Minister for Exports Gareth Thomas will formally sign the agreement with the Government of Ukraine, marking a key milestone in the UK-Ukraine defence cooperation.

    The deal delivers on this Government’s Plan for Change, by spending more on defence and creating jobs we will keep the country safe and boost economic growth.

    In a speech at the conference in Rome, the Deputy Prime Minister will also reaffirm the UK’s bilateral assistance to Ukraine for the financial year 2025 to 2026 of up to £283 million. This will keep the country in the fight and ensure Ukrainians living through Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion have access to vital support across humanitarian, energy, stabilisation, reform, recovery and reconstruction needs.

    Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

    As we continue to witness the enduring strength of the Ukrainian people, the UK stands by their side to provide the assistance their country needs to not only stay in the fight, but to rebuild and recover.

    This announcement underlines our continued support for Ukraine – boosting their air defences against devastating drone and missile attacks and supporting the critical work to reconstruct this nation and provide the hope that they need.

    This will also provide skilled jobs in the UK and is all part of our Plan for Change – bolstering the UK defence industry and strengthening our international ties.

    Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports Gareth Thomas said on the Thales deal:

    This landmark agreement is a powerful example of how British expertise is supporting Ukraine’s defence and recovery while creating high-quality jobs at home.

    By unlocking UKEF-backed finance, we’re enabling the delivery of vital equipment to Ukraine and strengthening our own defence industrial base.

    It’s a clear demonstration of our Plan for Change in action – backing British business, boosting exports, and standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.”

    The UK will provide up to £10.5 million for the Governance Reform Programme and up to £1 million in support of Ukraine’s Green Transition Office in financial year 2025 to 2026 to help Ukraine reform for the future. £10.5 million will go towards efforts on rule of law, justice and anti-corruption while £1 million will fund work on green transition and energy, both supporting Ukraine on its path to becoming a prosperous, green and modern European nation.

    During the conference, British International Investment (BII) will also confirm €30 million for MHP, a leading Ukrainian agribusiness. MHP employs over 30,000 people in Ukraine, with more than 40% being women. The loan will help them to safeguard jobs and boost resilience in the food and agriculture sectors during Russia’s full-scale invasion. MHP, Ukraine’s largest poultry and processed meat producer, exports to over 70 countries.

    Underpinning much of these efforts, the UK will endorse the Government of Ukraine’s insurance agreement. This initiative seeks to make insurance more affordable and widely accessible for businesses, including those in the UK, helping to derisk their investments into Ukraine.

    The UK is committed to supporting Ukraine win the war and the peace, emerging as a stronger, more prosperous and free nation, resilient to Russian threats. Our 100 Year Partnership, alongside the commitments made at URC, reaffirm the UK’s iron-clad support for Ukraine now and into the future.

    In total, the UK has committed £18.3 billion for Ukraine with £13 billion in military support and £5.3 billion in non-military support.

    Background:

  • PRESS RELEASE : British High Commissioner Bids Farewell to Kenya [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : British High Commissioner Bids Farewell to Kenya [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 August 2025.

    High Commissioner Neil Wigan will be leaving Kenya at the end of August to take up a new position of Director General Strategy and Delivery at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London.

    • British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan OBE, will be leaving his post after two years in the role.
    • Mr Wigan leaves for a promotion to Director General Strategy and Delivery within the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

    The British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan OBE, announced today his departure from Nairobi at the end of this month after two years in Nairobi.

    Reflecting on his time in Kenya, the High Commissioner said:

    I am extremely sorry to be leaving Kenya after a whirlwind two years. The Kenya-UK partnership has gone from strength to strength – whether in trade, investment, technology, innovation or cultural links, benefitting both countries and peoples.

    Since I arrived in 2023, the close partnership between our two great nations has seen the historic visit of His Majesty King Charles III, the signing of the new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership, Kenyan marines trained by the UK, vital infrastructure investments including Nairobi Railway City and so much more.

    I have also seen first hand the incredible potential of Kenya and her people. From taking part in a Maasai elders meeting, to seeing how UK support is helping establish women-led businesses in Wajir, from the tea plantations of Bomet County to the Silicon Savannah, I’ve no doubt that Kenya’s future is bright. I have visited most of Kenya’s counties – I am sorry not have visited them all.

    Kenya and the UK are going far, together, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey.  Asanteni sana na kwaherini.

    Mr Wigan leaves Kenya to take up the new position of Director General Strategy and Delivery at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London.