Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 August 2023.

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

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 August 2023.

Chevening-Briggs Scholarship will support aspiring leaders and innovators from Canada to study in the UK.

• strong preference given to high-quality candidates from Indigenous communities
• scholarship offers full financial support for a student to study any eligible master’s degree at a UK university
• scholarship funded by Vancouver-based British entrepreneur and philanthropist David Briggs

The UK High Commission in Ottawa and Canada-based British entrepreneur and philanthropist David Briggs have announced that they have joined forces to create the Chevening-Briggs Scholarship, which will offer the opportunity for a Canadian student to study a Master’s degree at any UK university, with strong preference given to high-quality candidates from indigenous communities.

Applications for the Chevening-Briggs Scholarships will open in mid-September 2023 and should be submitted on the Chevening website.

The UK government’s global Chevening Scholarships programme (under which the Chevening-Briggs Scholarship will operate) is awarded to individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to create positive change and can show how a UK master’s degree will help them do that.

The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since the programme was created in 1983, over 55,000 professionals have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening. There are more than 1,400 scholarships on offer globally for the academic year 2023 to 2024.

The programme’s alumni include 20 current or former heads of state or government officials. In Canada, notable alumni include Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.

David Briggs recognises the importance of supporting candidates, particularly from Métis, Inuit, and First Nation communities, through his scholarship. His preference to award his scholarship to a student from these communities comes from his drive to learn from indigenous groups and promote a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

British High Commissioner to Canada, Susannah Goshko CMG, said:

Each year, I am blown away by the quality of the Canadian Chevening scholars. Regrettably, however, we have yet to award a scholarship to an Indigenous person from Canada. I am delighted that this new partnership has given us a further incentive to address this deficit. I hope that David Briggs’ preference to support an Indigenous person from Canada will help to further the diversity of voices that already enrich the Chevening programme. My sincere thanks to David for his encouragement and support.

David Briggs, Director and Co-founder of GeoComply, said:

I believe strongly in the transformative power of education. Through this partnership, and with a strong emphasis on reconciliation and learning from Indigenous communities, I know we will be able to identify exceptional individuals and create opportunities that empower and uplift them. Programmes which bring together leaders and innovators from across the world, such as Chevening, will be essential to addressing the global challenges we face. I am delighted that a new and ambitious voice from Canada will be a part of that conversation through the Chevening-Briggs Scholarship.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 August 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 August 2023.

The British Embassy in Asuncion welcomed David Rutley MP, Minister for Americas and the Caribbean, who attended the Presidential inauguration in Paraguay.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 August 2023.

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

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 August 2023.

Ms Pamela Joanne (Jo) McPhail has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Gabonese Republic in succession to Dr Christian Dennys-McClure. Ms McPhail will take up her appointment in September 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Pamela Joanne McPhail

Married to: Dr Alastair McPhail CMG OBE

Children: 2 sons

Place of Birth: Aldridge, West Midlands, UK

Date	Role
2021 to 2023	Djibouti, HM Ambassador
2018 to 2020	FCO, Head of Talent, Performance (Diversity) and Leadership, Human Resources Directorate
2017 to 2018	Cabinet Office, Head of Business and Performance, Civil Service Group
2014 to 2017	FCO, Head of Engagement and Learning, Knowledge and Technology Directorate
2010 to 2014	FCO, Head of Overseas Passport Management Unit, Consular Directorate
2009 to 2010	The Hague, First Secretary, Head of Political and Communications Teams
2008 to 2009	FCO, Project Manager, Global Out of Hours Programme, Consular Directorate
2008	Banjul, Acting British High Commissioner
2006 to 2007	FCO, Head of Nigeria and Central Africa Team, Africa Directorate
2004 to 2005	FCO, Change Manager, Organisation Project
2002 to 2004	FCO, Head of Workforce Planning, Human Resources Directorate
2000 to 2002	FCO, Deputy Head of Peacekeeping (lead on Africa), UN Department, Global Issues Directorate
1997 to 1998	Ankara, Community Liaison Officer
1995 to 1996	FCO, Project Officer – Personnel Policy and Manpower Planning, Personnel Policy Unit
1992 to 1994	Moscow, Third later First Secretary – Press & Public Affairs
1990 to 1992	FCO, Desk Officer, Narcotics Control and AIDS Department

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 August 2023.

Neil Wigan OBE has arrived in Nairobi to take up his position as Head of Mission at the British High Commission.

British High Commissioner-designate, Neil Wigan OBE, has arrived in Nairobi to take up his position as Head of Mission at the British High Commission.

Speaking on his arrival, the new British High Commissioner to Kenya, said:

It has been a long-term ambition of mine to lead the team at the British High Commission in Nairobi. I first visited Kenya in 1977, my children went to school in Nairobi, and I have visited Kenya many times, for work and pleasure. I am delighted to have returned, and am looking forward to exploring magical Kenya.

I look forward to working with the Government of Kenya on the priorities of our Strategic Partnership, particularly the KES 500 billion of UK investment in clean, green infrastructure projects including Nairobi Railway City, Menengai Geothermal Plant, Grand High Falls Dam and the Malindi Solar Expansion project. These projects, among others, will improve the lives of Kenyans, boost sustainable development and help tackle climate change. I look forward to seeing these projects and other UK-Kenya partnerships.

Across the partnership, there are further opportunities for us to go far, together. Tafaulu Pamoja!

Neil takes up his post at an exciting time for UK-Kenya relations, with the relationship between both countries and peoples going from strength to strength.

Rapid progress is being made across all pillars of the Strategic Partnership, signed in 2020 between the UK and Kenya, tackling climate change, increasing mutual prosperity and sustainable development, building stronger people-to-people links, and strengthening vital security cooperation.

The UK is working with the Kenyan government to improve lives and livelihoods, while the defence partnership ensures the safety and security of the two countries and promotes Kenya’s role as a stabilising force in the region.

The UK and Kenya share a deep and complex history; one that has created strong bonds between the two countries, governments and people. The people-to-people bonds are the foundation of our relationship. This year we celebrate 40 years of the Chevening scholarship programme, which has enabled more than 600 Kenyans to study at UK universities. Through the British Council, the UK has strengthened Kenya’s creative and cultural industries and the UK-Kenya Tech Hub is working with entrepreneurs and tech talent to build a sustainable digital ecosystem.

The UK is the largest international investor in Kenya and is Kenya’s fifth largest export market. Progress on key green infrastructure projects, backed by UK investment, is securing Kenya’s place as a climate leader in the region. The upcoming Africa Climate Summit and next year’s UK-African Investment Summit will provide further opportunities to strengthen this vital partnership to the benefit of both Kenyans and British people.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 August 2023.

The UK is providing £250,000 (over three crore and forty lacs taka) of humanitarian support to communities affected by largescale flooding in Chittagong Division.

This will deliver vital assistance to over 18,000 people affected by flooding in Bandarban, Rangamati and Cox’s Bazar districts.

It will be allocated by Start Fund Bangladesh, working with Caritas Bangladesh and Action Aid Bangladesh. This support complements the Government of Bangladesh’s response.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, said

“The UK stands with all those affected by the devastating flooding in eastern Bangladesh. I am pleased to announce the UK is providing £250,000 of humanitarian assistance to respond to urgent needs.

This support will provide essential relief items, including food, clean water, sanitation and hygiene kits, shelter materials and cash transfers to more than 18,000 people who have been affected.

This complements the Government of Bangladesh’s response and builds on the UK’s longstanding support to disaster preparedness and response in Bangladesh.”

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

Statement supporting diplomatic efforts advocated by the Second Extraordinary Summit on the Political Situation in Niger.

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

The UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament gave a UK statement in the Cluster 3 session of the 10th NPT Review Conference.

Madam Chair, congratulations on your election to this important function. You can be assured of my delegation’s full support and cooperation.

Access to the peaceful use of nuclear technology is a vital part of the NPT. The United Kingdom reaffirms this inalienable right and we are proud of our role in supporting the safe, secure, and safeguarded use of peaceful nuclear technologies around the world.

At the centre of this effort is the International Atomic Energy Agency’s work to research, develop and transfer peaceful nuclear technologies to its member states, which the UK strongly supports. We have contributed over £25 million to Technical Cooperation since the last Review Conference, including through the Peaceful Uses Initiative.

We have also provided extrabudgetary contributions to projects such as the Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship Programme – which aligns with our commitment to ensuring that women make up 40% of the UK nuclear workforce by 2030 – as well as to efforts to renovate the IAEA’s climate laboratories, to support the global effort on COVID19, and to tackle the scourge of marine plastics. Peaceful nuclear technologies demonstrate the day-to-day impact the NPT has and play a role in tackling global challenges, like the pursuit of the SDGs and the fight against climate change.

Yet, some States Party are still unable to reap the benefits of nuclear technologies. Many people around the world still cannot access lifesaving radiotherapy or safe or sustainable food, and are at risk from preventable diseases. Many actors – including development agencies – do not realise that nuclear technologies can be part of the solution to these issues.

To address this problem, the UK is proud to be part of a group of States Parties who have come together to initiate a new Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses, set out in working paper number 46. We believe that States Parties can break new ground by working together to:

• bring in new voices and perspectives from across different specialisms
• drive global awareness of how nuclear technology can address development challenges
• identify new opportunities for peaceful uses assistance

We believe that this new effort has the potential to make a real difference in the deployment and use of peaceful nuclear technologies for those that need them most. We continue to welcome support from States Parties for the Sustained Dialogue at this Review Conference and beyond.

Madam Chair, for the UK, the vital role of nuclear technology includes nuclear power generation. While we recognise that not all countries wish to pursue nuclear power, this technology remains an important tool in the fight against climate change and is firmly part of the UK’s strategies to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and to improve our energy security. Other countries should have that choice, including the choice to pursue and deploy advanced nuclear technologies.

Whatever the application, however, it is essential that public confidence in the safety and security of nuclear technologies is maintained. That is why the United Kingdom continues to support robust nuclear safety and security standards and guidelines that support the use of nuclear technology. The UK is a Contracting Party to relevant international nuclear safety instruments such as the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, in addition to the Paris Convention on nuclear third party liability and the Brussels Supplementary Convention. The UK has also ratified the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its 2005 Amendment. We call upon all States Parties to ratify, implement and uphold the safety and security conventions that enable peaceful uses, so that future generations can continue to reap their benefits.

Madam Chair, unfortunately, the actions of one State Party, the Russian Federation, have demonstrated a blatant disregard for nuclear safety and security. Russia’s illegal, unjustified and brutal invasion of Ukraine has undermined public confidence in nuclear technologies and has put at risk millions of lives that would be affected by a nuclear incident in Ukraine.

Russia’s reckless actions – including its attack on a fuelled and functioning nuclear power plant – are unprecedented in the history of nuclear power. Its decision to take control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility and install ROSATOM officials there is contrary to fundamental principles of nuclear safety and security.

IAEA Director General Grossi has stated that the Russian Federation’s actions have violated almost all of his 7 pillars of nuclear safety and security. We call upon all States Parties to recognise the importance of these principles of nuclear safety and security and urge the Russian Federation to cease all use of force against, and in the vicinity of, Ukrainian nuclear facilities.

Madam Chair, we find ourselves in challenging times, but the NPT continues to be a vital part of the non-proliferation architecture; supporting the use of peaceful nuclear technologies and the benefits they provide has never been so important. We want to create an impetus for concrete action under this pillar and ask States Parties for their support to continue a Sustained Dialogue for Peaceful Uses to improve and expand peaceful uses assistance.