Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2023.

The UK’s landmark scheme to boost trade with developing countries starts today.

The UK will today [Monday 19 June] radically simplify trading rules and cut tariffs on products from developing countries, saving UK businesses and consumers millions of pounds a year.

The UK’s new post-Brexit Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) – entering into force today – covers 65 countries that are home to over 3.3 billion people, and over half are in Africa. It removes or reduces tariffs and simplifies trading rules so that more products qualify for the scheme, making it more generous than the EU scheme the UK was previously a member of.

It will benefit developing countries looking to diversify and increase exports, driving their prosperity and reducing their need for aid.

The scheme saves UK businesses over £770 million per year by removing or cutting tariffs on over £9 billion of imports – increasing choice for UK consumers and potentially reducing prices on a wide variety of items such as clothes, food and children’s toys – as well as creating opportunities for UK businesses to trade internationally and grow the UK economy. Over time, were developing countries to increase trade with the UK under the scheme, businesses could save millions more on import costs.

Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston launched the scheme while on a visit to Ethiopia’s largest industrial business park, Bole Lemi. Ethiopia, which already has a trading relationship with the UK worth £838 million, pays zero tariffs on 100% of goods exported to the UK. Under the new scheme, Ethiopia and 46 other countries will be able to produce goods using components from many more countries, growing their opportunities to trade with the UK.

Speaking at the park, Minister Huddleston said:

This scheme is a brilliant example of the UK taking advantage of its status as an independent trading nation and I am excited to see it implemented today.

It will create opportunities for businesses around the world, supporting livelihoods, creating jobs and diversifying local and international supply chains. It will also benefit UK businesses and consumers by lowering import costs on a whole range of products.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said:

The UK’s new trading scheme for 65 developing countries, DCTS, shows how we can use trade to deliver development.

It will benefit traders around the world, including small and women-owned businesses which we are supporting through UK Trade Partnership programme.

While in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city and home to many international corporations, Minister Huddleston will meet with UK and Ethiopian companies to discuss how they will benefit from the DCTS and new ways they can work with local businesses and other governments to grow trade.

The scheme benefits businesses all over the world and British companies that trade with these countries in everyday products such as bicycles and camping gear.

Executive Vice President at Specialized Bicycle Components Inc, Robert Margevicius, said:

The DCTS enables us to maintain our supply chains in countries like Cambodia and continue to incorporate components from around the region, including from Vietnam.

We are committed to supporting our workforce and maintaining quality. We manufacture high-value frames in Cambodia and Specialized uses preference scheme benefits to invest in this higher level of production.

Head of International Logistics and Trade Compliance at Halfords, Ben Price, said:

The revised rules of origin under the Developing Country Trading Scheme will be hugely beneficial for Least Developed Countries and companies who are sourcing products from them. Under the previous regime many articles were precluded from benefitting from 0% duties due to the complexity of the rules of origin.

The further liberalisation and rule options that have been introduced under the DCTS are incredibly helpful and will support business and economic growth in some of the poorest countries. A great example of this is camping equipment, such as tents, from developing countries in Southeast Asia.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2023.

UK announces new sanctions holding perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict to account.

• perpetrators of sexual violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Syria will be subject to asset freezes and travel bans
• this action on International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict demonstrates the UK’s commitment to hold offenders to account
• UK is working with partners to support countries around the world to strengthen their compliance with international law on Conflict Related Sexual Violence

New sanctions holding perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict zones to account have been introduced by the UK today (Monday 19 June) on the International Day to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Lord Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, announced the sanctions, which will freeze the assets and ban those targeted from travelling to the UK. The sanctions, which build on previous UK action in this area, send a clear message of solidarity with survivors and condemnation of these illegal acts.

These latest sanctions target 2 militia leaders in the DRC for violating international humanitarian law by commanding groups to carry out acts of sexual violence. They also include the Syrian Army Chief and Minister of Defence who authorised sexual and gender-based violence, including systematic rape of civilians.

In the last year the UK has sanctioned 15 individuals and entities who have committed specific human rights violations against women and girls, 13 of whom were involved in crimes of sexual violence in conflict.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said:

Threats of sexual violence as a weapon in conflict must stop and survivors must be supported to come forward.

These sanctions send a clear signal to perpetrators that the UK will hold you accountable for your horrendous crimes.

An estimated 20 to 30% of women and girls in conflict-affected areas experience sexual violence. The UK is committed to standing up for women and girls, and tackling the inequalities that they face. The FCDO’s Women and Girls Strategy, published in March, sets out how the UK will work to tackle global gender inequality at every opportunity. For the first time, this strategy commits the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to more than 80% of its bilateral aid programmes including a focus on gender equality by 2030.

As part of the UK’s wider work on this issue, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has funded a Guidebook on State Obligations on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. Produced by the Mukwege Foundation, which will support states around the world to understand and comply with international law on conflict-related sexual violence.

These announcements deliver on UK commitments made at the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference (November 2022) to use all levers at our disposal to address sexual violence in conflict.

Those sanctioned today are:

• Abdel Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, the Chief of the General Staff of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces who has been involved in the repression of the Syrian population through commanding military forces where there has been systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence
• Ali Mahmoud Abbas, the Syrian Minister of Defence for his commanding role of the Syrian military and armed forces, who have systematically used rape, and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence against civilians
• Désiré Londroma Ndjukpa who has been involved in violations of international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including rape, mass rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, through his role as a leader of the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO-URDPC)
• William Yakutumba who has been involved in the commission of violations of international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including rape, mass rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, through his role as leader of the armed Mai-Mai Yakutumba rebel group

The sanctions build on those CRSV-focused sanctions that were announced in December as part of our Global Human Rights Day package and in March for International Women’s Day.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2023.

The UK-Singapore Cyber Dialogue was held in London on 13 June 2023 to discuss cyber priorities and deliverables for both countries.

The dialogue was co-chaired by David Koh, Chief Executive of Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency, and Will Middleton, Cyber Director in the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Lindy Cameron, CEO, National Cyber Security Centre and senior officials from the Cabinet Office, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Home Office and the Department for Business and Trade participated in the dialogue, alongside senior officials from Singapore, including those from the Cyber Security Agency and the High Commission in London.

The dialogue is a welcome opportunity to further strengthen our countries’ already close ties in cyber cooperation, as reaffirmed by the UK-Singapore Cybersecurity Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), an outcome of the ambitious UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement.

The dialogue included exchanges on the cyber threat landscape, deterrence strategies against cyber threats, international cyber capacity building, international cyber policy issues including in the UN, and the role of public-private partnerships in cybersecurity.

Both sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation and further align approaches towards Internet of Things (IoT) security, app security and cyber skills development. We agreed on the importance of security for apps and app stores, and agreed to further explore the potential for an international standard for the security of apps and app stores. We also reaffirmed the importance of recognised international standards and norms for IoT and agreed to continue work on mutual recognition of our schemes for IoT and to explore the potential to work more closely together on other areas of IoT. We also agreed to work together on mapping the skills and competencies of cybersecurity professionals in Singapore and the UK.

Both countries reaffirmed our continued joint commitment to supporting international cyber governance and capacity building, including in South East Asia through the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE).

We also discussed the latest trends in cyber threats and opportunities to deepen cooperation to counter malicious cyber activity that undermines the rules-based multilateral order.

On 15th June, CSA’s Chief Executive David Koh also met with the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins on cybersecurity of critical national infrastructure, and Director General for Homeland Security Chloe Squires on the UK and Singapore’s co-chairing of the Counter Ransomware Initiative’s Policy Pillar.

Both sides committed to continuing to meet under the framework of the MoU as a priority for our international cyber cooperation.

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

Over 100 people awarded for exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally in The King’s Birthday Honours List.

• Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service Richard Moore knighted for his contribution to British foreign policy and national security during the war in Ukraine
• Terry Waite, co-founder and president of Hostage International, among 110 people recognised for their exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally
• honours go to activist and photojournalist Marcus Bleasdale as well as former UK Ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman for their brave contributions to human rights

Over 100 people have received awards for their exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally in The King’s Birthday Honours List, including for contributions to British foreign policy, humanitarianism and protecting human rights.

Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, Richard Moore, is knighted for his outstanding contribution to British foreign policy and national security, leading the organisation during an exceptionally challenging period which has seen the first major conflict on European soil since the Second World War.

Others recognised include Terry Waite CBE, co-founder and president of Hostage International, who is appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George [KCMG] for his services to charity and humanitarian work. Aged 84, he continues to play a crucial role in providing emotional and practical support to people in the UK and internationally, including hostages and their families, children, young people and the homeless.

Photojournalist and human rights activist Marcus Bleasdale is made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George [CMG]. For over 20 years, he has risked his life in conflict zones and areas of severe poverty photographing some of the world’s worst unreported human rights atrocities, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

Former UK Ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman is also made a CMG for her sustained and brave contribution to promoting human rights, democracy and transparency in Myanmar. Since retiring from the Diplomatic Service following 4 years as ambassador, she has supported businesses in areas including environment policy and investments in the country as Director of the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business.

Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, said:

At a time when the world faces many challenges, I am always impressed by the incredible work being done globally. The UK’s impact internationally depends on exceptional people like those honoured in His Majesty’s Birthday Honours list. I congratulate everyone receiving an award and thank them for their dedication and service.

The Birthday Honours list also recognises a number of non-official contributions receiving OBEs, MBEs and BEMs including:

Philip Bigley

Phil Bigley is recognised for an exceptional and sustained contribution to supporting individuals and families affected by kidnap and hostage situations overseas. In 2004, Phil’s brother Ken, a British engineer, was taken hostage while working in Iraq and killed. The kidnap and murder became a high-profile case globally, putting the Bigley family under immense public scrutiny, and also inspiring huge public support. ​Having gone through this ordeal personally, Phil turned this tragedy into something positive by helping others in similar situations.

He joined the team at Hostage International in 2005, after they helped him and his family in their time of need, and has since selflessly devoted a huge amount of his personal resources and expertise into working with the families and victims of hostage. He is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees, a role he performs alongside being a caseworker, providing direct pastoral support and advice to families and former hostages. ​His unwavering compassion, commitment and professionalism is recognised with an OBE.

Philip Bigley said:

I am both shocked and honoured to have been nominated for this award, which I graciously accept in memory of my brother, Ken, and on behalf of our family. I wish to thank the many inspirational people at Hostage International that dedicate themselves to helping those affected by kidnap.

Megan Bick

Megan Bick is recognised for an outstanding and sustained contribution to marginalised groups and civil society development in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Her work in the employment of various international and UK government agencies over the last 3 decades, has had a significant impact in improving the lives of vulnerable people in the region.

She has also used this accumulated knowledge and experience in her unpaid role as a Trustee of The BEARR Trust, a British charity focussed on the health and social welfare of disadvantaged people in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In this role, she has helped the Trust in launching its Ukraine Emergency Appeal. In just over a year the Trust has sent about £500,000, raised by its supporters, to around 60 organisations in Ukraine and Moldova, who have used the money to provide vital shelter for displaced people, to buy emergency food and medical supplies, to organise evacuations, and to provide psychological support.

Megan Bick said:

I’m thrilled the work of The BEARR Trust has been acknowledged and the honour should be shared between all those past and present who have contributed to the strengthening of the voluntary sector in Eastern Europe, so crucial at times of adversity.

Nimo Hassan Abdilahi

Nimo Hassan is recognised for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian assistance and development in Somalia and Somaliland. She is an exceptional humanitarian with over a decade of service working on the frontline in one of the most challenging environments in the world to be an aid worker. Somalia today is currently in the midst of a historic humanitarian crisis, with millions of people acutely food insecure.

Nimo, in her current position as Director of the Somali NGO Consortium, has played a critical leadership role, advocating on behalf of international and national civil society on the crisis and barriers to more effective response. This role regularly puts her on a global stage with seniors from the humanitarian and development sector in New York, Washington, Geneva, London, Brussels and Nairobi bringing an essential and grounded field-level voice from Somali people into international forums at such a critical moment in the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Nimo Hassan said:

I am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious recognition for the work I am privileged to do every day. This is an opportunity to amplify the voices of those who are not represented in the global forums on pertinent issues that impact their daily lives. In an interconnected world we all have a duty to uphold right to a dignified life.

David Wright

David Wright is recognised for an outstanding and sustained contribution to the Royal British Legion in Portugal. For many years, as the Vice-Chairman of the Portugal Royal British Legion branch and Lisbon area representative, he has been the driving force behind numerous initiatives to support British veterans and their families living in Portugal, such as the Poppy Appeal, monthly members’ lunches and in particular, for his planning and delivery of the highly successful Remembrance Sunday events in Lisbon.

He has also voluntarily supported other organisations in the Lisbon area with his time and energy with significant benefits to the British and wider community in the Lisbon area, and to the UK’s reputation in Portugal.

David Wright said:

Receiving this award is an extraordinary honour. I am deeply grateful and humbled to be recognised in this way. It is also very much a testament to the support and encouragement I have received from my family, friends, and colleagues along the way. We have enjoyed some great times together.

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

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

Thank you, President. And thank you SRSG Wane for your briefing. I welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Diop in our meeting today. I want to underline our unwavering support for the hard work and courage of MINUSMA’s peacekeepers and other UN staff. On behalf of the United Kingdom, I pay tribute to the two Burkinabe peacekeepers killed and the seven injured in the recent attack in Timbuktu region.

President, no one can deny the scale of the challenges facing the Malian people. Severe security and humanitarian threats. Political instability. A fragile Peace Agreement.

Malian civilians, and armed forces, have paid a heavy price.

Through MINUSMA, and other UN agencies – as well as bilateral security, development and humanitarian efforts –  we have made huge investments in pursuit of the stable, prosperous, democratic society the Malian people deserve. This has come at great cost over the past decade. Not just financial, but also in terms of human lives, many of them UN peacekeepers.

MINUSMA still has an important role to play in supporting the Malian people. Following the Secretary-General’s review, we stand ready to adapt the mission to improve its impact. But for the Mission to function properly, the four parameters set out in the review must be met.

These parameters are not unreasonable. They are not imposed upon Mali from outside.  They are commitments that have been made by the Malian transitional authorities. To their people, their neighbours and to the international community. To deliver a timely political transition; to implement the Peace Agreement; to uphold UN freedom of movement in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement, and to respect the mandate set by this Council.

So against the four parameters, first, we urge progress on a timely and peaceful transition to constitutional order by March 2024. We call for the full participation of civil society in this Sunday’s constitutional referendum and in presidential elections next February.

Second, urgent efforts are needed to revive dialogue between the signatories to Mali’s faltering Peace Agreement, building on the International Mediation proposals.

Third, restrictions on MINUSMA’s movements – on which there has been no improvement – need to be lifted.

Fourth, obstruction of MINUSMA’s mandated human rights tasks must end. The tragic massacre in Moura of over 500 people by Malian forces and the Wagner Group is deeply concerning. There must be accountability for these crimes. MINUSMA must be allowed to fulfil its human rights mandate without fear of reprisals. Ultimately it is for the Malian transitional authorities to choose its partners. But let’s be clear: the Wagner Group, whether operating autonomously or under direct control from Moscow, is not the answer – in Mali or anywhere else.

President, the United Kingdom – with most members of this Council – remains committed to supporting MINUSMA’s efforts to help build the future Mali’s people deserve. We sincerely hope the Malian transitional authorities will live up to their responsibilities and allow the UN Mission to fulfil its mandate.

This is a choice only they can make.

Thank you.

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

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

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson statement on North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 15 June.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:

North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 15 June are a breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Illegal ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK will always call out these violations of UNSCRs. We strongly urge North Korea to return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.

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

UK funding for vulnerable Syrians and the region reaches almost £200 million this year.

At the ‘Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region’ pledging conference in Brussels today (Thursday 15 June) the UK has pledged up to £150 million to support millions of vulnerable Syrians and help mitigate the destabilising impact of the conflict in refugee-hosting nations.

This year’s pledge is in addition to the £43m committed earlier this year in response to the earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye, bringing the UK’s contribution to Syria and the region to £193m in 2023.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, said:

The UK’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people is unwavering.

On top of 12 years of harrowing conflict, Syrians have faced further tragedy this year in the form of February’s earthquakes.

The international community must ensure the Syrian people are not forgotten. The UK will continue to play a leadership role in supporting Syrians to rebuild their lives and promote a long-term political settlement for lasting and sustainable peace.

The funding announced today will support the humanitarian response both within Syria and across the region. It will enable around 65,000 Syrians in need per year to be less dependent on emergency aid, provide access to high-quality primary education in Northwest Syria and deliver specialised sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence services to help survivors recover.

UK funding earlier in the year for earthquake relief in Syria included immediate support to the White Helmets for search and rescue operations, the delivery of urgent relief items – such as family tents, blankets, water purification kits – as well as a bolstered package of support to aid agencies to help those most in need. Last year, UK funding for the humanitarian needs of Syrians also provided thousands of people with drinking water and access to formal education, as well as delivering immunisation campaigns, medical consultations and sexual, gender-based violence and reproductive services.

The UK is one of the largest bilateral donors to the Syria Crisis, having spent over £3.8 billion to date. It is the UK’s largest-ever response to a single humanitarian crisis.

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

The UK and Portugal will celebrate the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance with a service at the Queen’s Chapel and a Strategic Dialogue.

• The Foreign Secretary will join His Majesty The King to honour the 650-year-old diplomatic alliance.
• Tomorrow he will meet the Portuguese Foreign Minister to sign a new agreement on international development.
• The UK and Portugal share the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world still in force today.

This week the UK and Portugal will celebrate the 650th anniversary of their alliance, an unprecedented milestone in the history of diplomacy. 16th June marks 650 years since the signing of the Treaty of London in 1373, an alliance originally between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor of Portugal.

A service will be held at the Queen’s Chapel in central London where the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, alongside His Majesty The King, the President of the Portuguese Republic and the Portuguese Foreign Minister, will celebrate the historic ties. An original copy of the Treaty, signed almost 20 years after The Plague struck Europe and committing the nations to “peace, friendship and alliance”, will be on display from The National Archive.

Ahead of the events, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

“The rich history between the UK and Portugal says something special about how we see the world and how our people get along. No other relationship on the planet has survived the test of time as well as ours.

“We are now building on those solid foundations to deliver security and prosperity for our countries, progress towards net zero, and support to Ukraine.”

The Foreign Secretary will also host a Strategic Dialogue with the Portuguese Foreign Minister on Friday (16th June), where they will discuss cooperation on climate change, defence and trade. The two ministers will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which will strengthen international development cooperation between the UK and Portugal.

The UK and Portugal have been commercial partners for almost seven centuries and now hold a modern trade relationship that delivers clean growth, renewable energy and resilient supply chains. Trade between the two countries more than doubled from 2021 to 2022, now worth £11.6 billion and delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the UK economy.

As NATO Allies, the security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic is at the heart of the relationship, with both countries providing practical aid and support to Ukraine, and a new bilateral Defence Agreement, due to be signed later in the year, set to take our defence cooperation to the next level.

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

Ms Jane Marriott OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in succession to Dr Christian Turner CMG who has transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

Ms Marriott will take up her appointment during July 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Dates	Role
2019 to present	Nairobi, British High Commissioner
2016 to 2019	FCO/Home Office, Director, Joint International Counter-Terrorism Unit
2015 to 2016	FCO, Additional Director, Middle East and North Africa Directorate
2013 to 2015	Sana’a, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2012	National Security Council, Deputy Director, Americas, Middle East and Africa
2010 to 2011	Tehran, Chargée d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission
2006 to 2010	Roles including FCO, Deputy Head of Afghanistan Group, Senior Advisor to US CENTCOM Assessment Team and Senior Political Advisor to US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
2003 to 2006	Roles including Counsellor (Political-Military and Economic) British Embassy Baghdad, Political Advisor to Coalition Forces, Southern Iraq, Political Advisor to US-led combined Coalition Forces in Afghanistan, and Team Leader (Political-Military), Iraq Policy Unit London
2001 to 2003	FCO, Head of Nuclear Non-Proliferation
1998 to 2001	Roles in the Cabinet Office and Home Office