Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 July 2026.

UK Senior Military Adviser, Colonel Joby Rimmer, warns that Russia’s missile and drone attacks endanger civilians, violate neighbouring states’ airspace and increase the risk of miscalculation and escalation across Europe.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Overnight, on 18–19 July, the Russian Federation launched 41 missiles and 125 drones against Ukraine in one of the largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Ukrainian air defences intercepted 18 missiles and 108 drones, but nevertheless strikes and falling debris affected residential buildings, a supermarket, a dormitory and other civilian infrastructure.

Across the country, these attacks killed at least 20 civilians. Those interceptions did save lives, but we should be clear: Ukraine should not need to deploy air-defence systems to protect apartment blocks, supermarkets, hospitals and schools. Russia’s reckless use of drones and missiles has repeatedly resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

And the legal framework is not ambiguous. Parties must always distinguish between civilians and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives. Attacks may be directed against only military objectives. Indiscriminate attacks are prohibited, as are attacks expected to cause incidental civilian harm excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.

But Russia’s aerial campaign also creates risks beyond Ukraine. On 29 May, during a Russian attack on Ukraine, a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace and struck a ten-storey apartment building in Galați. Two civilians were injured and approximately 70 residents evacuated. This is not a theoretical risk. A live weapons system crossed sovereign airspace and struck civilians in a NATO country.

Moldova has likewise experienced repeated Russian drone incursions. Furthermore, on 13 July, a Shahed-type drone crossed into Moldovan territory and exploded near the village of Copanca during Russian attacks on southern Ukraine. No casualties were reported, but the incident again demonstrated the consistent danger posed to neighbouring states. And NATO condemned Russia’s reckless behaviour in both cases.

This Forum exists to reduce misunderstanding, miscalculation and unintended escalation. Yet every Russian missile or drone launched near an international border could create an uncertain track. Every missile or drone launched near an international border could and has resulted in a possible airspace violation. Every Russian missile or drone launched near an international border could result in the scrambling of military aircraft, further escalating the risk of miscalculation.

Stronger European air and missile defence, surveillance and coordination are therefore necessary, defensive and proportionate responses to a threat solely created by Russia’s aggression, not acts of hostility.

Air defence, however, treats the symptoms rather than the cause. Russia must cease its reckless attacks, comply fully with distinction, proportionality and precautions, prevent further airspace violations and communicate promptly and honestly when incidents occur.

The greatest contribution Russia could make to European security would be to end its aggression, agree an immediate ceasefire and engage seriously towards a just and lasting peace.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 July 2026.

An FCDO statement on recent Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia, including plans to impose a maritime blockade.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

The UK strongly condemns recent Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia, including plans to impose a maritime blockade. These provocations risk further regional instability, endanger freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and undermine efforts to secure peace in Yemen.

We stand firmly with Saudi Arabia, and other partners within the region, in the face of these threats and call on the Houthis to immediately cease their escalatory actions.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 July 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

I will make three points. 

First, the United Kingdom welcomes the inaugural meeting of the Syrian People’s Assembly on 12 July. 

This is an important step towards establishing Syria’s new political settlement. 

The UK stands ready to support the efforts to strengthen Syria’s institutions and to help build long-term peace, stability, and security. 

And we look forward to working with the Assembly as it seeks to build an inclusive, prosperous future for all Syrians. 

Second, Syria’s security situation remains fragile. 

There is a real risk that wider regional conflict could undermine the country’s long overdue recovery. 

And we urge all parties to de-escalate and to focus on rebuilding regional stability. 

We condemn the egregious Iranian-claimed attacks against Syria last week.

And we also call on Israel to set out a timeline for their withdrawal from areas in southern Syria.

And we urge the Israeli Government to return to negotiations with the Syrian Government. This is in all parties’ interests.  

We also condemn the recent terrorist attacks in Damascus and offer our deepest condolences to those affected. 

There can be no justification for such violence. 

The UK will continue to work closely with the Syrian Government to support its counterterrorism efforts, and we remain an active member of the Global Coalition against Daesh. 

President, this month marks one year since the violence in the southern province of Suwayda, in which many innocent lives were lost, and tens of thousands of people displaced. 

We continue to support efforts to find a negotiated solution for Suwayda: one that upholds Syria’s sovereignty and unity, while addressing accountability, social cohesion, access to essential services, and humanitarian assistance. 

Finally, we welcome the landmark decision by the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to restore Syria’s rights and privileges. 

This recognises the leadership and commitment of the Syrian Government in locating and destroying the stockpile of chemical weapons left by the Assad regime. 

President, Syria has made important progress in its efforts to build peace and security for its people, and in its commitment to play a positive and constructive role in its neighbourhood. 

The Council should continue to support Syria in these efforts and to help forge a safer and more prosperous future.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 July 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

I want to start by welcoming the Secretary-General’s recent visit to Haiti, which comes at a critical time for the Haitian people. 

Nearly 1.5 million people are currently displaced, more than half the population is food insecure, and access to essential services is severely restricted. 

Within the most recent reporting period, BINUH documented 853 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, in which collective rape accounted for 84% of cases.

I will outline three urgent priorities to help address these intersecting crises.

First, we welcome the deployment of the Gang Suppression Force, whose success will be key to addressing instability in Haiti.

It is vital that operations are fully compliant with the human rights framework set out in resolution 2793 and include robust child protection measures. 

In this context, the UK has committed up to $7.5 million to the Human Rights Compliance Mechanism for the Gang Suppression Force, delivered by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

This builds on our support for the human rights elements of the GSF’s predecessor, the MSS mission and reflects our firm conviction that accountability and civil protection are fundamental to restoring trust and stability in Haiti.

Second, we remain deeply concerned by the high proportion of children recruited by gangs. We need to take action to break the cycle of violence and prevent future lost generations.

We welcome the visit in May to Haiti of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict and the clear message that she has underlined today: that children associated with gangs must be treated as victims.

We urge the Haitian authorities to implement the handover protocol for children associated with gangs without delay, including establishing the promised task force and framework.

We also call on the Government to develop credible and resourced disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programmes that tackle the drivers of instability and protect the most vulnerable.

Thirdly, recent progress on Haiti’s electoral timetable is welcome. We encourage continued momentum towards holding credible elections, which are vital for Haiti’s transition.

Madam President, listening today, many have referred to this being a critical moment, a window of opportunity. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting a Haitian-led pathway to sustainable peace, where improved security is matched by strengthened rule of law and respect for human rights.

We will continue to work with all Haitian stakeholders and our international partners to this end, for the benefit of all the people of Haiti.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 July 2026.

UK and India total trade, worth £48 billion in 2025, is set for an immediate boost with consumers now enjoying cheaper, quicker, and easier access to the best of British and Indian products and services across both countries.

To celebrate this historic occasion, a special package of select British goods arrived at the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai on the morning of 15 July aboard a British Airways flight. This package was unveiled by Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia, and David Wright, British Airways’ General Manager in India to signal the arrival of new opportunities unlocked under the agreement for both countries.

The package contained goods from the UK benefitting from reduced tariffs, including cosmetics, food products, and alcoholic beverages.

Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, said:

This is a watershed moment for the UK-India partnership. As the landmark trade deal comes into force, what better than having select British products arriving in one of the very first UK flights into India this morning – with thanks to support from British Airways. Our landmark trade deal is designed to benefit businesses and consumers from day one with cheaper, quicker and easier trade. We are all excited to take full advantage of it.

David Wright, British Airways’ General Manager in India, said:

India is one of British Airways’ most important markets and we have a long history of connecting people, businesses, and cultures across the UK and India. With 63 flights each week going up to 70 by the end of summer, we play an important role in strengthening economic and cultural ties between our two countries.

The UK-India Free Trade Agreement marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the UK and India and reinforces the long-term potential of one of the world’s most dynamic international corridors. We are proud to support this landmark agreement and the opportunities it will create for trade, investment and tourism.

As the UK’s flag carrier, we look forward to deepening our links with India and connecting customers and communities across our global network for years to come.

Starting 15 July, 99% of Indian goods entering the UK and 90% of UK goods entering India will either be duty free or reduced in tariffs. It will benefit a wide range of sectors on both sides including automotive, manufacturing, consumer goods, creative industries, and medical technology as it marks the biggest milestone in the bilateral economic partnership.

To mark this major milestone, a number of celebratory events and activations will be hosted by the UK Government across India and the UK including business receptions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and at Lancaster House in London.

In the long run, the deal is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion, Indian GDP by £5.1billion, and UK GDP by £4.8billion every year.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 July 2026.

UK General Comment on the draft resolution on women in humanitarian settings. Delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr President.

We join others in taking this opportunity to pay tribute to Colombia’s role as penholder in these difficult circumstances and wish to honour once again the memory of Ambassador Gustavo Gallon.

The United Kingdom is pleased to join consensus on this important resolution and thanks the Core Group for its leadership throughout the negotiations. 

As humanitarian needs continue to grow in scale and complexity, women and girls remain disproportionately affected by conflict, displacement, disasters and other crises. This resolution places the protection, participation and leadership of women and girls at the centre of humanitarian responses and reinforces the need for a comprehensive, human rights-based approach.

We particularly welcome the references to preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Indeed, conflict-related sexual violence continues to have devastating consequences for survivors, families and communities. Preventing these crimes, supporting survivors, and ensuring perpetrators are held to account must remain a central part of efforts to build sustainable peace and security.

The resolution also highlights the importance of ensuring uninterrupted and non-discriminatory access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services, maternal healthcare, and mental health and psychosocial support. These services are essential to safeguarding the dignity, health and wellbeing of women and girls in crisis situations.

Equally important is its emphasis on the meaningful participation and leadership of women and girls, including women-led organisations, in humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery. Women and girls must be able to shape the decisions that affect their lives and communities.

The United Kingdom is proud to support this resolution.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 July 2026.

UK Explanation of Position on the draft resolution on human rights and climate change. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Mr President,

The UK thanks the Core Group, led by the Philippines, for their hard work this session.  We appreciate their engagement with us.

The UK particularly welcomes the focus of this year’s resolution on the needs and interests of future generations. It is entirely appropriate to that theme that this resolution underscores the importance of efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 Degrees Celsius.

The need and urgency for greater mitigation action and ambition is clear.  So, we are firmly of the view that mitigation should be more prominent in this resolution and we are disappointed that it is not. A just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels is integral to mitigation efforts, as the cross-regional General Comment has just set out.

There is no dispute from the UK that climate change can and does impact the enjoyment of human rights.  That is properly a matter for this Council.  However, the Human Rights Council should not be used as a forum to renegotiate the climate treaties or to misrepresent the independent legal nature of the Paris Agreement.  Accordingly, the UK does not support any text in this resolution that does not accurately reflect obligations under the Paris Agreement or the decisions taken under it, including those in paragraph 28 of the Global Stocktake.  Nor should the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities be applied in a manner inconsistent with that already agreed in UN climate negotiations, so we likewise do not support any such text that does so here.  

Whilst we appreciate the rationalisation of the text on loss and damage, we remain deeply concerned by this resolution’s framing of the provision of climate finance and loss and damage. The New Collective Quantified Goal, adopted at COP29 and which establishes the framework for climate finance through to 2035, represents a clear consensus on climate finance. It is simply unhelpful for this resolution to be inconsistent with that agreed outcome.  So, we do not support the parts of this resolution that elide obligatory and voluntary actions and introduce new terms that are not used in the UNFCCC and Paris framework.

The UK remains strongly committed to international climate action. So, we would welcome the Core Group and others working closely with us on the scope, focus and framing of the next iteration of this resolution over the coming year.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 July 2026.

UK General Comment on the draft resolution on independence and impartiality of the judiciary. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Mr President,

The UK is proud to cosponsor Resolution L.15 on the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors, and the independence of lawyers: the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. 

All legal professionals should be able to discharge their professional duties without fear of reprisals.  An independent legal profession and an independent and impartial judiciary are at the heart of the rule of law.  They play a vital role in promoting and protecting human rights.  That role is only enhanced by the balanced representation of men and women at all levels of the legal profession and the UK was proud to cosponsor a side event on “Women in Law” this Session.

We welcome this resolution’s focus on robust judicial selection and appointment processes and the UK was a proud cosponsor of a side event on that topic this Session too.  Rigorous judicial selection and appointment contributes to public trust in the judiciary as an organ of the State, thereby enhancing the rule of law and helping to discharge human rights obligations effectively.  We consider these principles are equally important at the international level, including in the selection of judges to bodies such as the International Court of Justice, where independence, impartiality and expertise are essential. That standard underpins the UK’s support for Professor Dapo Akande’s candidacy.

Finally, we welcome the rationalisation efforts made by the core groups to merge and streamline these two resolutions. 

Happily, this resolution already benefits from wide cosponsorship and we hope it will pass by consensus, as has happened in the past.  We thank Hungary and the Core Group for their leadership on this important issue.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 July 2026.

UK General Comment on the draft resolution on freedom of expression. Delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr President

The UK is pleased to join consensus on this important resolution and thanks the Core Group for its leadership throughout the negotiations. Freedom of opinion and expression is a cornerstone of democratic societies, accountability, and the protection of all human rights.

At a time when journalists, media workers, human rights defenders, and civil society actors face growing threats, this resolution sends a clear signal that they must be able to carry out their work freely and safely. The strengthened  language on safety of journalists, combating impunity, transnational repression, and strategic lawsuits against public participation is welcome.

We particularly welcome the resolution’s strong recognition of the barriers that women and girls continue to face in exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression. The strengthened language on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, digital inequalities, and the importance of women’s and girls’ full, equal, meaningful and safe participation online and offline is especially important.

We welcome the resolution’s focus on digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and information integrity. Responses to disinformation must remain rooted in international human rights law while promoting transparency, accountability, and access to reliable information.

As co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition alongside Finland, the UK remains steadfast in its commitment to media freedom worldwide and is proud once again to support this resolution.

Thank you.