Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 March 2026.

The UK welcomes ODIHR Director Telalian to the Permanent Council and reiterates its strong support for ODIHR’s work on democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Many colleagues wish to speak on this item; I promise to be brief.

Director Telalian, welcome back to the Permanent Council. Thank you Maria for your report and for your Office’s work providing professional and expert support to OSCE participating States, national human rights institutions and civil society.

We particularly welcome ODIHR’s reporting on the human consequences of Russia’s full‑scale and illegal invasion of Ukraine. The findings set out in ODIHR’s Eighth Interim Report of December 2025 again document the devastating impact of Russia’s aggression on civilians, and Russia’s continued violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

We thank you for continued work on human rights challenges in the wider region and to support civil society under pressure. We warmly welcome your vital election observation activities and ODIHR’s recent contributions to strengthening election observation in the digital age.

The UK continues to believe that a comprehensive concept of security as you outlined at the beginning of this meeting lies at the heart of the OSCE and the future peace and security of our region. ODIHR’s work across the human dimension remains indispensable. Rest assured of continued UK support in the months to come.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 March 2026.

Ambassador Holland condemns Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities and its attempts to portray itself as the victim while continuing its war of aggression. He highlights rising civilian casualties, Russia’s refusal to engage seriously in diplomacy, and reaffirms the UK’s support for Ukraine’s self defence and a just, lasting peace.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

It has become routine for Russia to denounce Ukraine’s legitimate efforts at self-defence while continuing its own bombardment of Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. Week after week, the state that launched this war of aggression seeks to cast itself as the victim and to blame those supporting a sovereign state under attack in its defence. Colleagues should be clear-eyed about this inversion of reality.

Any loss of civilian life on either side is deeply regrettable. And the human cost of Russia’s war remains stark: UN reporting for 2025 indicates that civilian casualties in Ukraine rose by 31 per cent compared with the previous year. These figures speak to a well-documented pattern of strikes across populated areas with predictable humanitarian consequences.

The last few days have again shown how far this pattern extends. In the early hours of 14 March, Russia launched a combined assault of 430 drones and 64 missiles, killing at least 7 civilians and injuring 46 others. This was the largest missile strike since the mass attack on the 2-3rd February, and one of the largest since 2024. This mass attack comes amid a relentless daily bombardment, with Russia having already fired over 3,000 drones and nearly 100 missiles at Ukrainian cities in March alone.

Mr Chair, Russia’s projection cannot obscure the fundamental truth: Russia launched this illegal and unprovoked war against a sovereign neighbour. It could end it today by withdrawing its forces from all Ukrainian territory. Instead, it entrenches its attempted illegal annexations and imposes control through coercion and the systematic erasure of Ukrainian identity in the areas that it occupies.

The Kremlin alleges that Ukraine and its partners are obstructing diplomacy. But it has now been more than one year since the United States and Ukraine jointly proposed an immediate and unconditional ceasefire – an offer which Russia declined. Russia has turned up to talks but refused to move one inch from its maximalist positions. This is performance, not negotiation.

Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its seriousness about achieving a just and lasting peace. The UK, the US and many partners have consistently supported immediate ceasefire proposals and continue to do so. But negotiations require good faith from all parties. Russia has shown no credible shift, no de-escalatory intent, and no willingness to take even the smallest step that would indicate genuine commitment. Its attempts to portray others as the obstacle to peace only underline its own lack of seriousness.

Mr Chair, the United Kingdom will continue to stand with Ukraine as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence under the UN Charter, and to support efforts that can deliver a comprehensive, just and durable peace – one that ends this war, restores Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and strengthens European security for us all.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 March 2026.

The UK reaffirms Ukraine’s right to self defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter and voices concern over external military and dual use support to Russia, stressing the need to uphold international law and maintain regional and global security.

Madam Chair, the United Kingdom reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine as it exercises its inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, in response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression. Russia’s ongoing invasion constitutes a manifest violation of the prohibition on the use of force and of the most fundamental principles underpinning European and global security.

As Ukraine faces sustained and intensified attacks across its territory, recent OSCE reporting shows that Russia’s missile and drone strikes have targeted critical civilian and energy infrastructure, including medical facilities, power substations, and nuclear safety‑related electrical infrastructure, causing widespread civilian casualties, energy outages, and severe humanitarian impacts. Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population and civilian objects is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

In this context, the provision of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine by partners, including the UK, is fully consistent with international law. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine retains the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence in response to armed attack. Supporting Ukraine strengthens the rules‑based international order; it does not undermine it.

By contrast, Russia continues to seek illicit external support to sustain its aggression. Open‑source intelligence indicates that the DPRK has supplied munitions and ballistic missiles used against Ukrainian cities, in violation of multiple UNSC Resolutions on DPRK arms exports.

The People’s Republic of China has supplied large quantities of dual‑use goods, microelectronics, machine tools, optics, and UAV‑related technologies that fuel Russia’s weapons production. As previously reported in this forum, over 73% of Russia’s dual‑use imports since February 2022, worth approximately $16 billion, originated from China, including nearly 90% of semiconductors imported in 2023.

Iran also continues to supply Russia with weapons components and systems enabling attacks on Ukraine, including UAV (including Shahed) technologies and missile‑related items, in violation of the prohibition on Iranian arms exports reinstated by the snapback of UN sanctions on Iran in October 2025, which called upon Iran not to undertake activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and restricted missile‑related transfers for eight years.

Collectively, all these transfers represent a deliberate and persistent pattern of unlawful support to an aggressor state — support that violates international non-proliferation obligations and undermines the security of every OSCE participating State.

Madam Chair, Russia’s actions continue to endanger regional stability and global security. Russia’s violations of international law must be met with resolute, coordinated international action. The United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. So we will repeat: the provision of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine by partners, including the UK, is fully consistent with international law. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine retains the inherent right of individual and collective self‑defence in response to armed attack.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 March 2026.

UK Statement for the Annual day on the Rights of the Child. Delivered at the 61st Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Madam Vice President, and thank you to the panellists for their insightful remarks today.

We are deeply concerned about the worsening situation for children in conflicts around the world. In too many conflicts, children are bearing the brunt of violence.

The UK is committed to preventing grave violations against children, including as an active member of the UN Security Council Working Group.

We urge all parties listed in the Secretary General’s annual report to engage with the UN to develop and implement Action Plans and call on all parties to conflict to immediately end and prevent grave violations against children.

The UK is supporting children affected by conflict through our humanitarian assistance and our £450,000 funding this year to the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism to ensure grave violations are documented. 

We are also supporting children affected by sexual violence in conflict through our work with partners such as Grace International to advance legal reforms.

The UK is committed to amplifying the voices of young people and ensuring their voices are heard. We will continue to champion meaningful and safe engagement with children affected by conflict, including at the UN.

Madame Vice President,

How can States better integrate children’s voices safely into prevention and protection efforts?

 Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 March 2026.

Dame Caroline Wilson DCMG has been appointed Ambassador to the European Union in succession to Mr Lindsay Croisdale-Appleby CMG, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Dame Caroline will take up her appointment during August 2026.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Caroline Elizabeth Wilson

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 March 2026.

UK Statement for panel discussion on the rights of persons with disabilities. Disability-inclusive infrastructure, including transport and housing.

Thank you, Mr President. 

The United Kingdom thanks the panellists for their contributions to this important discussion. We fundamentally agree that disability-inclusive transport and housing plays an important role in realising the rights of disabled people, particularly in enabling independent and community living.  

On housing, the Disabled Facilities Grant, administered by local authorities in England, helps to meet the cost of adaptations for disabled people to make their homes safe and suitable for their needs. 

With regards to transport, our goal is for disabled passengers to travel confidently, easily and with dignity. The new Bus Services Act includes a comprehensive package of measures to improve accessibility, including helping local authorities to deliver safer, more accessible bus stations and stops as well as mandating more streamlined disability training for bus drivers and frontline staff.  

We are also glad to be working closely with disabled people, operators and regulators to develop an Accessible Travel Charter, to embed accessibility across the transport system.  

Mr President, how can States further utilise assistive technologies to enhance accessibility and service delivery across transport and housing infrastructure?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 March 2026.

Statement by The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State (Minister for Skills) and Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities) at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

Colleagues, let me first begin by expressing the United Kingdom’s deep concern at the intensification of the Taliban’s repression. 

We are appalled by the continued restrictions imposed on the women and girls of Afghanistan, including the ban preventing Afghan women from accessing UN spaces. 

Millions are being systematically excluded from society. 

As we heard from Afghan student, Sunbul Reha, in the opening session of the Commission on the Status of Women this morning, this is not an abstract concept. But a devastating infringement of women’s rights, opportunities, and dreams.

And it cannot continue.
As we mark the beginning of the Commission on the Status of Women here at the UN, the United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the women and girls of Afghanistan, who deserve full, meaningful, and equal participation in all areas of life.
We are dismayed by the Taliban’s new criminal procedures directive, which legitimises domestic violence, embeds religious discrimination, and targets women and minorities. 

These oppressive measures must be rescinded.

As my Foreign Secretary has said, the rights of all Afghans must be protected.
Second, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the significant escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

We call for de-escalation and re-engagement in mediated dialogue.
Finally, the United Kingdom is a longstanding and major donor to Afghanistan, providing over $200 million this financial year for vital life-saving and basic services support to the country’s most vulnerable people, especially women and girls. 

We are therefore deeply dismayed by the Taliban’s refusal to allow essential health and nutrition supplies over the border into Afghanistan. 

This is having a severe impact on the delivery of aid. It is vital that these goods are allowed to enter Afghanistan without obstruction and without delay. 

22 million people across the country remain in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
Colleagues, progress in Afghanistan requires the Taliban to engage meaningfully in the UN process. 

This is the path towards the goal which we collectively agreed in resolution 2721, of an Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbours, fully reintegrated into the international community and meeting its international obligations.  

The United Kingdom supports the efforts of UN leadership and UNAMA in this regard, and looks forward to continuing to work together with our international and regional partners to this end.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 March 2026.

Mr Duncan Norman MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan in succession to Mr Fergus Auld OBE.

Mr Duncan Norman MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan in succession to Mr Fergus Auld OBE. Mr Norman will take up his appointment during May 2026.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Duncan Charles Norman

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 March 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the King of Bahrain, the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the King of Jordan this morning.

He expressed the UK’s solidarity in the face of dangerous Iranian escalation, which has seen indiscriminate missile and drone attacks launched at their countries in the last 24 hours.

They discussed the safety of civilians in the region, including British nationals and armed forces personnel, and expressed deep concern that strikes have hit civilian and commercial infrastructure – harming innocent people.

He reiterated that the UK has had planes in the sky since yesterday as part of the coordinated defensive response to protect our partners in the region, and would continue to offer our support.