Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Americas and Caribbean, David Rutley is on a four-day visit to Ottawa, Louisiana and Texas.

• strengthening security and economic ties with key allies will be focus for Americas Minister on trip to Ottawa, Louisiana and Texas
• David Rutley will meet with key federal and provincial leaders to boost UK-Canadian collaboration on global security issues
• with more than $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies, visit will build on UK-US relationships that create thousands of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic

Deepening security ties with two of the UK’s closest allies and strengthening economic links that support jobs on both sides of the Atlantic will be the focus for the Americas Minister as he begins a four-day visit to Canada and the US today (Monday 18 September).

In his second visit in the role to Canada, David Rutley will meet with federal and provincial leaders over two days in the Canadian capital, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rob Oliphant to discuss UK-Canadian collaboration on global security issues.

The UK and Canada share a unique intelligence and security relationship and Minister Rutley will discuss coordination on sanctions against Russia and encourage international cooperation and support for Ukraine to ensure they win the fight against Putin’s illegal invasion.

A two-day trip to Texas and Louisiana will follow when Minister Rutley continues a programme of visits to states across the US. He will champion the UK as a great investment and business partner and highlight the unrivalled security and defence ties between the two countries.

The UK and US already have more than $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies and the UK supports more jobs in America than any other country, with more than 110,000 Texans and almost 16,000 Louisianans working for British businesses.

Economic growth and the creation of better paid jobs is among the five priorities set out by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Minister Rutley will discuss with political and business leaders how the UK and US can boost cooperation in key sectors to deliver partnerships through the Atlantic Declaration, make their economies more resilient and create jobs.

Minister for the Americas and Caribbean David Rutley said:

There are few relationships that match the closeness of those that the UK shares with the USA and Canada and I am looking forward to boosting our deep and long-standing ties during my latest visit to North America.

During his time in Texas and Louisiana, Minister Rutley will travel to Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Austin where he will hold bilateral meetings with leading state-level political and business figures.

In Ottawa, Minister Rutley will also meet with Canadian students who are joining the Chevening Scholarship programme and will shortly be travelling to continue their studies at UK universities and build lifelong bonds with the UK.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) speaks at the Forum about Russia’s attempts to sabotage the organisation.

At a time when the organisation faces many challenges, it is important that we continue our discussions on the security issues that affect us all.

Like last year, we met again here in the context of the continuing war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. As others have noted, it was Russia who stood alone in blocking the consensus needed for an official Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF). But – as with so many of Russia’s similar attempts – it again failed to stop the rest of us from gathering to address the important security issues of the day.

Russia has told this forum several times how committed it is to the work of the second dimension. Indeed it should be. Though it may behave like it is, Russia is not immune from these threats. The Russian Arctic, for example, is warming at a disproportionate rate, causing sea level rises and agricultural shifts. Last year, deadly forest fires burned across large swathes of Siberia, as those tasked with putting them out were diverted to the illegal war in Ukraine. And Russia’s infamous levels of industrial pollution not only degrade its own environment and poisons its own people, but also leach into neighbouring countries as well. These issues should be at the forefront of their minds. And yet here we are, experiencing the latest example of their indifference and short-sightedness. As the rest of the OSCE’s membership recognises the need to address these topics, Russia remains isolated as saboteurs of this organisation, and poor judges of its membership’s resolve.

This indifference also extends to the world’s most vulnerable. As we heard yesterday, Russia’s sudden withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and the consequent spike in global food prices, will cost lives around the world – further destabilising economies and putting people at risk of starvation. To address this issue, the UK looks forward to convening an international food security summit in London in November.

The issues we have discussed over the past two days are important security topics, relevant to all of us. But they are more pressing to some participating States than to others. As we heard, climate change, for example, is particularly evident in Central Asia, where temperatures are forecast to rise disproportionately, increasing risks of floods from glacier melt, as well as droughts and wildfires. Water security, heavily impacted by climate change as well as actions in neighbouring states, is a top priority for this region. Russia’s blocking of the EEF decision not only demonstrates its disregard for these security issues, but also dismisses the concerns of its own neighbourhood.

So we commend again the Chair, and indeed all states here, for not allowing the organisation to be at the mercy of those who wish to do it harm. The OSCE plays a critical role in European and Eurasian security and must be defended as it continues its work supporting States to build resilience to security, economic and climatic shocks.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

The UK’s Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Delivered during the 54th UN Human Rights Council.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

Ms Lisa Bandari has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic in succession to Mr Chris Sainty.

Ms Lisa Bandari has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic in succession to Mr Chris Sainty. Ms Bandari will take up her appointment during January 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Dates	Role
2021 to 2022	FCDO, Deputy Director for India and HMG India Coordinator
2017 to 2020	Department for Exiting the EU, Deputy Director for Ongoing EU Business and Third Country Preparation
2014 to 2016	Nairobi, Director of Corporate Services
2011 to 2014	FCO, Policy Planners, Team Leader for Asia Pacific and Africa Strategy
2010 to 2011	Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan, Director of Policy and External Relations
2008 to 2010	Kabul, Head of Internal Political Section
2007	Pre-posting training (including Farsi language training)
2005 to 2006	FCO/Home Office, Head of UK Government Forced Marriage Unit
2004 to 2005	FCO, Bosnia & Herzegovina Desk Officer

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 September 2023.

Foreign Secretary to outline vision at UNGA for using Artificial Intelligence to speed up development in the world’s poorest nations.

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

The Deputy Prime Minister will head up the UK delegation for the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.

• Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will head up UK delegation in New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week
• he and other Ministers will set out how the UK is increasing efforts to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, a series of commitments to make the world a fairer, healthier and more prosperous place by 2030
• Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is due to arrive in New York today (Sunday), and will meet counterparts from the US, France, Egypt, Barbados and Indonesia as well as attend G7 and migration meetings

The world must recommit to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if we are to achieve them by 2030, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will tell the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York next week.

As the halfway point between the launch of the SDGs in 2015 and the target for their delivery in 2030 approaches, he, the Foreign Secretary and the wider UK delegation will make clear countries urgently need to visibly and vocally recommit to the Goals to make the world healthier, fairer, and more prosperous.

The Deputy Prime Minister will lead the UK delegation and travel to New York on Tuesday – he will attend the UN Security Council session on Thursday. He will attend the UN Security Council session on multilateralism and Ukraine on Wednesday to recommit our steadfast support to Ukraine and to hold Russia to account for its illegal actions, both in Ukraine and its cynical attempts to undermine global food supplies and security, causing worldwide suffering in the world’s poorest nations.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also deliver the UK’s address to the General Assembly on Friday where he will call on nations to cooperate to ensure the benefits of revolutionary new technologies like AI are felt equally, while also preventing their misuse. He will also hold meetings on AI with leading technology companies and discuss AI regulation with other countries ahead of the UK’s AI Safety Summit.

He will also attend UN meetings on boosting global health and announce new UK support for strengthening health systems. He will also discuss climate action and growing global investment in Africa.

The Foreign Secretary, arriving in New York tomorrow (Sunday), will meet key allies and stress the need to keep up the pressure on Russia, making it clear to Putin that he cannot “outlast” the international backing for Ukraine.

He is due to hold talks tomorrow (Monday) and on Tuesday with, among others, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Tomorrow (Monday) the Foreign Secretary will co-convene an event on Artificial Intelligence (AI) chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

It will bring together governments, tech firms and NGOs to discuss how AI can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The Deputy Prime Minister will also be discussing the challenges and opportunities of AI with global partners and UK and US tech firms operating in the USA during his visit, ahead of the UK hosting the AI Safety Summit in November.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

“I’m delighted to be leading the UK delegation to the UN General Assembly on behalf of the Prime Minister.

“The UK has always worked closely with the UN to create a safer, healthier and more prosperous world. I look forward to using this year to discuss the challenges and opportunities of AI, so that the benefits of this revolutionary technology are felt fairly across the world, and how Britain can be at the forefront of that effort.

“Alongside this we’ll be announcing new support to tackle climate change, boost global economic growth and prevent future pandemics.

“But the principles of the UN are being challenged by Russia’s appalling actions in Ukraine: deliberately attacking and terrorising civilians and seeking to hold the world to ransom by blocking vital food supplies.

“I will be challenging Russia at the Security Council and other nations to strengthen international support for Ukraine’s freedom.”

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

“Only a functioning multilateral system can address the complex and interconnected global challenges we are facing. But our system is under strain, particularly from intensifying geopolitical rivalry. The Sustainable Development Goals are seriously off-track, and we need to come together to recommit and accelerate their delivery by 2030.

“Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but its invasion of Ukraine is a clear breach of the UN Charter. Our citizens rightly demand that we curb illegal migration and boost economic growth. Climate change and new technologies like AI present extreme risks, but also unprecedented opportunities.

“Putin is counting on the misguided assumption that he can outlast international support for Ukraine. We will not be deterred. It is in all our interests, to ensure that Russia is defeated and evicted from Ukraine’s sovereign territory as quickly as possible.”

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

The UK has ramped up crucial life-saving support to flood-hit Libya, allocating increased funding and deploying an essential emergency medical team.

• new UK funding to support response to devastating floods in Libya
• UK to deliver life-saving provisions including emergency shelter, solar lanterns, and water filters to disaster-affected areas
• Emergency Medical Team to be deployed to carry out rapid medical assessments on the ground

The UK has ramped up crucial life-saving support to flood-hit Libya, allocating increased funding and deploying an essential emergency medical team.

This additional support builds upon the initial package worth up to £1 million announced earlier this week (13 September), which will be used to provide vital provisions including emergency shelter items, portable solar lanterns and water filters.

The UK is also deploying an emergency medical team led by health and sanitation experts from NGO UK-MED to conduct rapid medical assessments in disaster-affected areas. The Emergency Medical Team will coordinate with local authorities, international organisations and other EMT partners on the ground to understand the immediate and growing humanitarian health needs in Libya following the devastating storms.

The UK has increased its financial support to the response to both the floods in Libya and the earthquake in Morocco, allocating a package worth up to £10 million.

Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Ahmad said:

It is harrowing to see the loss of life and scenes of devastation in Libya following the floods.

The UK is committed to supporting the Libyan people during this extremely difficult time. We will increase UK funding to the crisis response and deliver crucial life-saving provisions, including shelter, water filters and medical assessments.

Earlier this week (13 September), the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, spoke with the Chairman of Libya’s Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Mnefi, to convey his condolences and the UK’s commitment to supporting Libya in the aftermath of this tragedy. Lord Ahmad also spoke to Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN, Martin Griffiths, to discuss the international response to the crises in Morocco and Libya.

The UN has announced $10 million in response to the flooding from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), to which the UK is one of the largest donors. The UK has committed £52 million towards the UNCERF’s vital work in 2023.

The UK is working with trusted partners on the ground to identify the most urgent basic needs, including on shelter, healthcare and sanitation and stands ready to provide further support.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 September 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on South Sudan.

Thank you President.  Thank you also to SRSG Haysom, ASG Msuya and Ms Juan for their briefings today.

This September marks five years since the South Sudanese parties came together to sign the Peace Agreement.

The United Kingdom welcomes the progress achieved since then, and that disputes are now largely resolved through political dialogue, not conflict.

But we remain concerned that progress is too slow and too limited.  The past five years have been characterised by missed deadlines and multiple extensions.

So, we call on South Sudan’s leaders to demonstrate the political will to deliver the free and fair elections that the South Sudanese people deserve.

President, the United Kingdom welcomes the recent establishment of an Election Security Committee and the presentation of the National Elections Act to Parliament.

But as highlighted by SRSG Haysom, in addition to adopting the necessary legislation and reconstituting the relevant electoral bodies, there are fundamental decisions and logistical preparations that require urgent attention.

We call on the South Sudanese authorities to create the necessary political and civic space to allow for free and credible elections.

President, as the horrifying violence continues across the border in Sudan, over 260,000 people have now been registered arriving into South Sudan.  This comes on top of what were already unprecedented levels of humanitarian need in South Sudan.

The United Kingdom commends the Government of South Sudan’s provision of transportation and the UN system and humanitarian partners in their response to the crisis.

We urge the South Sudanese government to create a more enabling environment for humanitarian action, and commit itself to longer-term, more durable solutions that address the increasing humanitarian need.

In closing, at this important time in South Sudan’s history we urge  South Sudan’s leadership to deliver on the outstanding tasks to make democratic elections a reality.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 September 2023.

The United Kingdom, Australia and the United States updated the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on AUKUS naval nuclear propulsion.

The below statement was delivered by Australia on 14 September 2023 under agenda item 12: Any Other Business.

Thank you, Chair.

I have the honour of speaking on behalf of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Chair,

We thank Director General Grossi for his update in his written introductory statement to this Board on Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion program. As the Director General noted, bilateral technical consultations between the IAEA and Australia on Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion program are ongoing, including in relation to the development of an Article 14 arrangement. We remain fully committed to ensuring our approach meets the highest non-proliferation standard.

Chair,

Colleagues will recall that, at the previous meeting of the Board, the Director General reported (in GOV/INF/2023/10) that Australia had submitted the required declarations under its CSA, AP, and Subsidiary Arrangements; the IAEA had conducted in-field verification activities, including a design information verification visit; and discussions on the technical aspects of an arrangement pursuant to Article 14 of Australia’s CSA had been initiated.

Chair,

The Director General has confirmed the IAEA will develop a robust safeguards approach for Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion program which will enable the Agency to continue to meet its technical safeguards objectives established for Australia.

Since the June Board meeting, Australia’s bilateral technical consultations with the IAEA have continued. These discussions encompass technical and legal aspects of an Article 14 arrangement for Australia, including in relation to possible verification and monitoring activities and voluntary transparency measures.

As has been confirmed by the Director General, these ongoing bilateral consultations are taking place on the basis that Australia’s Article 14 arrangement will not remove nuclear material from IAEA oversight.

Throughout the lifecycle of Australia’s program, the Agency will be able to continue to verify and conclude that there has been no diversion of declared nuclear material, no misuse of facilities, and no undeclared nuclear material or activities.

Chair,

We wish to make clear that, contrary to what some delegations have suggested, we do not seek to impose a template or model Article 14 arrangement. When developing an Article 14 arrangement for Australia or another state, the Agency will need to account for state-specific factors.

The Director General has committed to transmitting the Article 14 arrangement, once developed, to the Board for appropriate action. As we have said previously, we fully support this approach.

Chair,

AUKUS partners have already addressed during this Board meeting some of the more egregious disinformation we have heard from other delegations, and I do not intend to go over that again.

In line with our abiding commitment to transparency, however, we welcome the opportunity to update the Board and, as appropriate, we will continue to address genuine questions from interested delegations regarding our non-proliferation approach through this and other fora.

Thank you, Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 September 2023.

UK Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Corinne Kitsell, gave a statement on behalf of Australia, the UK and the US on AUKUS.