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  • PRESS RELEASE : Experts to lead AI Safety Summit preparations as new funding announced to modernise healthcare [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Experts to lead AI Safety Summit preparations as new funding announced to modernise healthcare [August 2023]

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

    Two leading experts appointed to spearhead preparations for UK to host AI Safety Summit as £13 million unveiled to revolutionise healthcare research.

    • Leading tech and diplomacy experts appointed to coordinate landmark global talks on safe use of artificial intelligence ahead of UK summit later this year
    • first major international summit of its kind will be hosted in the UK and include country leaders, tech companies and academics
    • announcement comes as £13 million is granted to revolutionise AI healthcare research in the UK

    Two leading experts have been appointed to spearhead preparations for the UK to host the first major international summit of its kind on the safe use of artificial intelligence, as the Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan announces £13 million to transform healthcare research.

    Matt Clifford, CEO of Entrepreneur First and Chair of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, and Jonathan Black, Heywood Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford and former UK G7 and G20 Sherpa and Deputy National Security Adviser, will be charged with rallying leading AI nations, companies and experts, ahead of the event in the UK this autumn.

    Bringing a wealth of skills, they’ll serve as the Prime Minister’s representatives, coordinating and galvanising efforts to make sure the summit results in the development of a shared approach to mitigating the risks of AI. Matt is one of the only private sector representatives to be appointed to this kind of diplomatic role.

    The announcement comes as the Technology Secretary visited University College London (UCL) to announce £13 million is to be channelled into research that will deliver cutting-edge AI innovation in healthcare, with 22 winning university and NHS trust projects stretching from Edinburgh to Surrey set to receive a share.

    The cash boost will support everything from the development of a semi-autonomous surgical robotics platform for the removal of tumours, to the ability to predict the likelihood of a person’s future health problems based on their existing conditions – showcasing the real-world impact artificial intelligence is having.

    Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, said:

    The UK has a proud history of demonstrating diplomatic leadership on the most important issues of the day and Matt and Jonathan’s experience and expertise means that they are perfectly placed to lay the groundwork ahead of talks this year on safe and responsible AI.

    We’re already a leading nation when it comes to artificial intelligence – and this summit will help cement our position as the home of safe innovation.

    By leading on the international stage, we will improve lives at home. AI will revolutionise the way we live, including our healthcare system. That’s why we’re backing the UK’s fantastic innovators to save lives by boosting the frontline of our NHS and tackling the major health challenges of our time.

    Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

    Artificial intelligence will fundamentally alter every aspect of human life. As AI rapidly evolves, we need a global approach that seizes the opportunities that AI poses while grasping the challenges and minimising the risks.

    No country will be untouched by AI, so with the support of our two expert representatives, the UK is proud to play a leadership role in the global effort to address the challenges and opportunities of AI.

    The multi-million-pound funding will see more than £500,000 go to the University College London’s Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, which the Secretary of State will visit to see how the early development of this technology could revolutionise surgery for one of the most common types of brain tumour.

    The project will develop a real-time AI ‘assisted decision support framework’ to improve surgical outcomes, including avoiding complications following surgery and shortening recovery time for patients.

    Further winning projects include those led by:

    University of Sheffield: £463,000 to carry out an external validation of an approach that could lead to much wider, effective treatment of chronic nerve pain, which affects one in ten adults over 30.

    University of Oxford: £640,000 to accelerate research into a foundation AI model for clinical risk prediction which could determine the likelihood of future health problems based on an individual’s existing conditions.

    Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh: £644,000 to develop a system that assists trainee surgeons to practice laparoscopy procedures – commonly known as keyhole surgery – with real-time feedback on their movements.

    University of Surrey: £456,000 will see researchers work closely with radiologists to develop AI that improves the mammogram analysis process and could allow radiologists to join the clinical force earlier in their careers – boosting the numbers of cancer specialists.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:

    AI can help the NHS improve outcomes for patients, with breakthroughs leading to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments, and faster recovery. It’s already being used in the NHS in a number of areas, from improving diagnosis and treatment for stroke patients to identifying those most at risk of a heart attack.

    This funding is yet another boost to help the UK lead the way in healthcare research. It comes on top of the £21 million we recently announced for trusts to roll out the latest AI diagnostic tools and £123 million invested in 86 promising tech through our AI in Health and Care Awards.

    With the final dates to be confirmed shortly, the AI safety summit will consider the risks of AI, especially at the frontier of development, and discuss how they can be mitigated through internationally coordinated action. It will also provide a platform for countries to work together on further developing a shared approach to mitigate these risks.

    The UK is well-placed to convene discussions on the future of AI as a world-leader in AI – ranking third behind the US and China. Britain’s AI sector already contributes £3.7 billion to the UK economy and employs 50,000 people across the country.

    The UK was one of the first leading nations to set out a blueprint for the safe and responsible development of AI, which will be adaptive to the speed of advances in this technology. Earlier this year the UK also launched an expert taskforce to help build and adopt the next generation of safe AI, backed by an initial £100 million of funding, alongside a commitment to spend £900 million developing compute capacity, including an exascale supercomputer in the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Sudan is now one of the worst countries in the world for humanitarian access – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sudan is now one of the worst countries in the world for humanitarian access – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 August 2023.

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

    Thank you, President, and let me start by thanking ASG Pobee and Director Wosornu for your very helpful updates to the Council.

    President, I want to start by echoing the alarms that we have heard today on the conflict’s catastrophic impact on civilians in Sudan, with an estimated 24.7 million in need of humanitarian assistance. The country, as we’ve heard, is now one of the worst in the world for humanitarian access.

    The Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces continue to double down on fighting, while the Sudanese people face rolling blackouts and the horrifying daily reality of decomposing bodies in the streets.

    The humanitarian impacts are made worse by credible evidence to suggest serious violations of International Humanitarian Law by both the SAF and RSF, which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. This includes, as we’ve heard, incidents of sexual violence and air strikes in populated areas resulting in heavy loss of civilian life.

    There are also credible reports of the targeted killing of civilians and atrocities against specific ethnic groups in Darfur, with much of the bloodshed attributed to RSF units and allied militias.

    We welcome the ICC Prosecutor’s decision to commence investigations into offences committed in the current conflict and also call on the Sudanese authorities to ensure full accountability.

    President, we need to see the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces put the interests of their people first immediately to end hostilities and enter negotiations in good faith.

    And in this context, we welcome the diplomatic efforts of regional partners, including the African Union, IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] and the League of Arab States to restore peace to Sudan.

    Second, in the 11 May Jeddah Declaration, as we’ve heard, both parties committed to act in accordance with their international obligations and to enable and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access in line with International Humanitarian Law.

    I congratulate OCHA on their extraordinary efforts to get humanitarian aid into Sudan but I also echo Ms Wosurnu’s calls.

    As we’ve heard, attacks on humanitarian convoys in areas under RSF control, and we need to see the removal of bureaucratic obstacles, such as restrictive customs procedures causing delays in issuing visas and travel permits.

    President, the people of Sudan have suffered far too long. Those who have the ability to end this suffering should spare no effort to bring an end to the conflict.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus – Minister for Europe statement [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus – Minister for Europe statement [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 August 2023.

    Minister for Europe Leo Docherty calls for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Belarus.

    On the anniversary of the start of a brutal crackdown against peaceful protestors in Belarus following the flawed 2020 presidential election, Minister for Europe Leo Docherty said:

    Three years ago, the Belarusian regime unleashed violence on peaceful protesters, civil society groups, journalists and political opponents for seeking to pursue their desire for freedom and democracy.

    Alexander Lukashenko continues a repressive campaign against his own people, aimed at depriving ordinary Belarusian citizens from exercising their fundamental democratic rights. His regime’s support for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine further demonstrates its complete disregard for international norms.

    The UK Government has already introduced sanctions targeting those responsible for the suppression of human rights in Belarus and will continue to work alongside our international partners to hold Lukashenko’s regime to account for its appalling actions.

    The close to 1,500 political prisoners who remain detained in Belarus today must be released immediately and unconditionally. We stand in solidarity with the Belarusian people.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The Syrian regime is failing to meet its chemical weapons obligations and is a serious threat to international security – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Syrian regime is failing to meet its chemical weapons obligations and is a serious threat to international security – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 August 2023.

    Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

    Thank you, President.

    Let me begin by thanking Deputy High Representative Mr Ebo for his briefing and in particular Dr Katoub, not only for his briefing today, but also for his work responding to the horrific chemical attack in Ghouta in 2013 and for his ongoing efforts to fight impunity on behalf of all of the victims of chemical weapons.

    Colleagues, Dr Katoub’s briefing is a reminder of why this issue deserves the Council’s ongoing attention.

    In the decade since Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention, internationally mandated organisations have confirmed that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons against its own people on at least nine occasions.

    As Dr Katoub said, there have been many more attacks.

    The human impact of these attacks has been horrific – the UN Joint Investigative Mechanism and OPCW’s reports have provided undeniable and direct evidence of the Syrian state’s shocking track record of murdering its own civilians using chemical weapons.

    We collectively owe it to the thousands of victims to pursue justice and hold those responsible for these crimes to account.

    President, Syria continues to fail to meet its obligations under resolution 2118 and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Despite concerted efforts by the OPCW to get to the truth, Syria’s chemical weapon stockpile declaration is still not accurate.

    Syria has failed to declare and destroy all its chemical weapons and continues to present a serious threat to regional as well as international security.

    We therefore once again reiterate our calls on the Syrian regime to fulfil its obligations under the convention and under resolution 2118 and to engage meaningfully with the OPCW. It must fully declare and destroy all aspects of its chemical weapons programme.

    It is our collective responsibility to defend and uphold the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the non-proliferation architecture, and the global consensus that these weapons should never be used.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Largest ever UK action targets Putin’s access to foreign military supplies [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Largest ever UK action targets Putin’s access to foreign military supplies [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 August 2023.

    Foreign Secretary announces 25 new sanctions targeting Putin’s access to foreign military equipment.

    • Foreign Secretary announces 25 new sanctions targeting Putin’s access to foreign military equipment.
    • This includes individuals and businesses in Turkey, Dubai, Slovakia and Switzerland who are supporting the illegal war in Ukraine.
    • The UK is also tackling Iranian and Belarusian support for Russia’s war machine.

    The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly has today (8 August 2023) announced 22 new sanctions on individuals and businesses outside Russia supporting Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, as well as 3 Russian companies importing electronics vital to Russia’s military equipment used on the battlefield.

    Today’s measures will damage Russia’s defence systems by cutting off Putin’s access to foreign military equipment. Among those sanctioned are:

    • Two Turkey based businesses, Turkik Union and Azu International, for their role in exporting microelectronics to Russia that are essential for Russia’s military activity in Ukraine.
    • Dubai based Aeromotus Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Trading LLC, for its role in supplying drones and drone components to Russia.
    • Slovakian national Ashot Mkrtychev, for his involvement in an attempted arms deal between the DPRK and Russia.
    • Swiss national Anselm Oskar Schmucki, for his role in Russia’s financial services sector, including through working as Chief of the Moscow office of DuLac Capital Ltd.

    We are also taking further action to tackle Iran and Belarus’ support for Russia’s military. The UK has previously imposed sanctions on Belarus for continuing to actively facilitate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has called out Iran’s destabilising role in global security, including through sanctions against Iranian suppliers of the UAVs used by Russia to target Ukrainian civilians. Today’s sanctions include:

    • Iranian individuals and entities involved in the research, development and production of UAVs for the IRGC.
    • Belarusian defence organisations linked to the manufacturing of military technology for the Belarusian regime, which has directly facilitated Putin’s illegal war.

    The UK is also sanctioning three Russian companies operating in the electronics sector for their role in procuring UK-sanctioned western microelectronics that are essential for sustaining Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.

    This sanctions package is part of a series of wider action targeting those critical to supplying and funding Putin’s war machine – and it is the biggest ever UK action on military suppliers in third countries.

    The Russian defence industry is severely stretched and focused entirely on sustaining the war. Unable to access Western components, the Russian military is struggling to produce sufficient top-end equipment and is now desperately searching for foreign armaments. Russia is already having to mobilise soviet-era tanks and harvest kitchen freezers for low-grade chips. Today’s package tackles Russia’s attempts to circumvent and offset these clear impacts of UK and allies’ sanctions.

    Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly said:

    Today’s landmark sanctions will further diminish Russia’s arsenal and close the net on supply chains propping up Putin’s now struggling defence industry.

    There is nowhere for those sustaining Russia’s military machine to hide.

    Alongside our G7 partners, the UK has repeatedly called on third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russia’s aggression or face severe costs.

    We will continue working together with our international partners to prevent third parties supplying weapons and welcome stronger action to clamp down on rogue military supplies and sanctions circumvention. The UK is committed to maintaining international efforts to ensure sanctions are effective, investigate activities that support circumvention and act accordingly. We welcome cooperation from third countries where they are taking steps to address actions by those in their jurisdictions supplying Russia.

    Through this sanctions package, the UK is also taking further steps to tackle countries actively supporting Putin by supplying weapons and military components directly to Russia, including Iran, Belarus and DPRK. Among these new designations is the Belarusian company Gomel Radio Plant which is repairing Russian military equipment; and the Iranian Paravar Pars Company, a key regime-linked UAV manufacturer, and seven of its executives. Iran is responsible for supplying Russia with the kamikaze drones used to bombard Ukraine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 August 2023.

    The United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Italy and Japan have issued a joint statement following the criminal procedure by the Russian Federation authorities against Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan and Judges of the Court: Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, and Tomoko Akane.

    We, the Permanent Representatives of Costa Rica, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, as States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, collectively express our deep concern over the criminal procedure by the Russian Federation authorities against Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan and Judges of the Court: Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, and Tomoko Akane.

    The Court represents the commitment of its States Parties to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. It is regrettable that Russia continues its attempt to undermine the mandate of the Court, and we reiterate our unwavering commitment to stand firmly by the Court, its officials and personnel, as well as those cooperating with it, together with other States Parties.

    We once again reaffirm our full confidence in the Court as an independent and impartial court of law, and renew our resolve to defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute, preserving the Court’s integrity undeterred by any threats.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement Condemning Atrocities in Darfur [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement Condemning Atrocities in Darfur [August 2023]

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

    Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) statement condemning the atrocities in Darfur, Sudan.

    The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing violence in Darfur, especially reports of killings based on ethnicity and widespread sexual violence by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias.  We call on all parties to immediately cease attacks and prevent the further spread of fighting.  Those responsible must be held to account.  Full access to conflict-affected areas must be granted so that abuses can be properly investigated and so that life-saving humanitarian aid can reach survivors who urgently need it.  We are gravely concerned about reports of a military build-up near El Fasher, North Darfur, and Nyala, South Darfur, where further violence will put more civilians at risk.

    The expansion of the needless and ruinous conflict between RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to Darfur has caused incalculable human suffering.  Those responsible for any atrocities against civilians, especially those including Conflict Related Sexual Violence and the targeting of humanitarian relief actors, medical personnel, and other service providers, must be held to account.  We remind the parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law related to the protection of civilians.  We call on all parties to the conflict to enable humanitarian access in Darfur and throughout the country.

    The SAF and the RSF must silence their guns and find a negotiated exit from the conflict they started.  The security forces must relinquish their hold on power to a civilian transitional government that fulfils the Sudanese people’s aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice.

  • PRESS RELEASE : “Russia’s gestures are inadequate. The Black Sea should be open.” – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : “Russia’s gestures are inadequate. The Black Sea should be open.” – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 August 2023.

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

    Thank you, Madam President. Let me start by welcoming you and your team to the Security Council presidency and thank the US presidency for bringing the issue of food insecurity back to this Council following Security Council Resolution 2417.

    I also want to thank Reena Ghelani, David Miliband and Navyn Salem, for bringing your expertise – and critically, your proposals for action to the Council since 2021.

    As we’ve all heard, the number of people facing acute food insecurity has skyrocketed from 193 million to over a quarter of a billion today.

    And as we’ve heard, conflict is the main driver. Last week, the Council met to discuss the UN’s warning on rapidly deteriorating food security in Haiti, DRC and Burkina Faso.

    The message was clear: act now to prevent further deterioration.

    So in that spirit, I want to join others in focusing on actions and propose three.

    They overlap with those that have been proposed by others during the course of our debate, and in particular with those proposed by the United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator.

    First, this Council should take concerted action to tackle the drivers of conflict and invest in inclusive, sustainable peace.

    The Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace calls for renewed multilateral cooperation and putting women who are uniquely impacted by food insecurity at the centre of peace initiatives in Afghanistan.

    If they cannot bear to watch their children die, some mothers face a harrowing choice sell their children or starve.

    Congolese women in displacement camps are forced into sex work just to buy food.

    Second, we call on parties to conflict to abide by international humanitarian law and to allow humanitarians rapid and unimpeded access to people in need in Sudan and Somalia.

    Starving communities are surrounded by fighting and humanitarians cannot reach them with food.

    International humanitarian law is our greatest defence against hunger in armed conflict, and those who violate it should be held to account.

    Finally, we need to protect global food systems.

    The Black Sea Grain Initiative got nearly 33 million tonnes of grain into world markets. Russia’s decision to end the initiative has raised food prices hitting the world’s hungriest people.

    Russia’s offer to give 50,000 tonnes of grain to each of six countries will not bring grain prices back down, nor help those facing famine in other countries.

    This inadequate gesture falls far short of solving the global problem that Russia has created.

    And let’s be clear UK, US and EU sanctions do not target food and fertilizer. They target Russia’s war machine.

    As South Africa’s President Ramaphosa said the Black Sea should be open.

    We call on Russia to rejoin the BSGI immediately.

    Madam President, we know what we need to do to stop these soaring levels of hunger.

    Let’s now turn that into action. I thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints new HM Trade Commissioner to lead UK-MEaP trade and investment relationship [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints new HM Trade Commissioner to lead UK-MEaP trade and investment relationship [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 3 August 2023.

    Oliver Christian has today been appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to the Middle East and Pakistan and His Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai.

    The UK’s Department for Business and Trade has today (Thursday 3rd August) appointed Oliver Christian as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) to the Middle East and Pakistan and His Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai. He will take up the role in September 2023, while the department undergoes the campaign for the permanent position.

    HMTCs lead the UK’s overseas effort to promote UK trade, investment, trade policy and export finance.

    As the new Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan, Oliver Christian will generate business opportunities for the UK while contributing to the growth of sustainable, resilient, and productive economies across the MEaP region.

    Prior to joining the UK’s Department for Business and Trade Oliver was the Head of the Prime Minister’s Business Unit at No10, having served four Prime Ministers from 2019 to 2023. He’s overseen over £78 billion of investment and export deals, establishing the UK Global Investment Summit and the creation of the Office of Investment during his time in No10. He also helped to establish the Department for International Trade as the Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State in 2016 to 2019.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Seychelles – Jeffrey Glekin [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Seychelles – Jeffrey Glekin [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 August 2023.

    Mr Jeffrey Frank Glekin has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Seychelles.

    Mr Jeffrey Frank Glekin has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Seychelles in succession to Mr Patrick Lynch, who will transfer to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Glekin will take up his appointment in October 2023.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Jeffrey Frank Glekin

    Place of Birth: Glasgow, UK

    Year Role
    2019 to present La Paz, His Majesty’s Ambassador
    2014 to 2018 Bogota, Deputy Head of Mission
    2012 to 2014 FCO, Deputy Head of Commercial and Economic Diplomacy
    2011 to 2012 Reuters Breakingviews, India Columnist
    2007 to 2011 Mumbai, Deputy Head of Mission and First Secretary Financial & Economic
    2005 to 2007 HM Treasury, Private Secretary to the Second Permanent Secretary and Managing Director of the International & Finance Directorate
    2004 to 2005 HM Treasury, Policy Analyst, European Economic Reform
    2003 to 2004 HM Treasury, Policy Analyst, Productivity Team