Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 August 2023.

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

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 August 2023.

The Foreign Secretary and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong had a friendly and productive meeting in Sydney today (Monday 21 August).

The Foreign Secretary welcomed progress and ongoing collaboration on AUKUS. He reiterated the UK’s full commitment to the AUKUS partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific, as set out in the UK’s Integrated Review Refresh 2023.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed Australia’s new international development policy and acknowledged close UK-Australia cooperation on shared international development and humanitarian priorities. He also reiterated the UK’s willingness to work with Australia on climate issues, particularly to support Pacific Island Countries which are on the front line of the climate emergency.

The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the UK’s determination to work together with Australia to maintain the pressure on Russia and sustain support for Ukraine.

Both looked forward to seeing each other again in Australia in 2024 for the next iteration of the Australia-UK Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (AUKMIN). They agreed that the UK-Australia relationship was modern, enduring and forward-looking, and look forward to continuing their close cooperation.

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

The project will help save lives and livelihoods through improved flood defences and early warning systems to reduce the impact of severe flooding.

August 2023, Mogadishu – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the British Embassy Mogadishu (BEM) have launched an Anticipatory Action and Preparedness programme in Somalia ahead of an expected El Niño event.

El Niño is a climate pattern expected to bring about increased rainfall, with riverine areas of Somalia particularly at risk of severe flooding. There is now a greater than 90 % chance that El Niño will continue through the end of the year, and FAO estimates 1.2 million people are in areas at high risk of flooding. FAO’s Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) Unit anticipates a major flood event of a magnitude statistically likely only once in 100 years, and follows another historic flood earlier this year that displaced around 245,000 people along the Shabelle river. An El Niño related flooding event in riverine areas of this scale could lead to loss of life, mass displacement, destruction of property and loss of livelihoods, resulting in an increase in acute food insecurity.

To mitigate the effects of a potential disaster, FAO and the BEM have launched a USD 3.8 million anticipatory action and preparedness initiative in areas facing the greatest risks. The project “Badbaado”, which means “to salvage from calamity”, is part of FAO’s multi-donor El Niño programme, which seeks to mitigate, prepare for and respond to the threat of severe flooding and humanitarian disaster during the country’s second major rainy season between October and December this year.

Damon Bristow, Development Director for the British Embassy Mogadishu, said:

Somalia is facing yet another crisis – an El Niño has been declared and may develop into a once in a century flooding event this year. We are acting now to prioritise resources. This cost-effective and sustainable joint initiative with FAO will mean we are able to save lives and prevent damage to livestock, crops and properties which could prove extremely damaging to the livelihoods of Somalia’s most vulnerable communities.

Etienne Peterschmitt, FAO Representative to Somalia, said:

We have a very short window of only a few months to prepare for and mitigate the worst impacts of El Niño, and we are grateful to the UK for rapidly mobilising support for this important work. By taking early and well-informed action, together, we can help to protect vulnerable rural communities from the worst outcomes of disaster.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) and in partnership with the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), FAO plans to close 937 metres of breakage points along the Shabelle river in Beletweyne town to slow down flood waters, reduce the immediate impact of flooding and allow people time to move away from high-risk areas. The project also plans to rehabilitate a major canal to redirect flood waters away from populated areas in Beletweyne, as well as prepositioning 800,000 sandbags in flood prone areas.

Early warning systems will be activated in partnership with government and local responders along the Shabelle and Juba rivers, with messages transmitted to communities through local radio networks, SMS services, and official channels to inform early action and save lives. FAO will also coordinate with local authorities and community groups to support evacuation planning.

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

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

Let me begin by thanking High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing today.

President, last week, Russian missiles targeted hotels in Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia. As people nearby rushed to rescue the wounded from the rubble, further missiles hit both locations – a ‘double tap’ strike timed deliberately to kill first responders.

On Sunday, a baby just 22 days old, her 12-year-old brother and their parents were among seven people killed by Russian shells in Kherson.

On Tuesday, a Russian missile ripped through a playground in Lviv.

This is how Russia’s leaders conduct their war of choice. And it is why we are proud to support Ukraine as it defends itself in line with international law and the UN charter.

Colleagues, the UK wants peace. Ukraine wants peace, indeed the whole world wants peace.

But President Putin has shown he is not serious about any peace that respects international law.

While Ukraine and international partners from all over the globe discussed last week the importance of a just and sustainable peace, underpinned by the UN charter, Russia continued to drop bombs on Ukrainian ports and grain silos, targeting the world’s food supply.

Russia now claims it is under assault from the West, but it was President Putin who chose to invade Ukraine last February, despite calls from within this Council to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine’s borders.

It was Putin who ordered hundreds of thousands of Russian troops to their deaths on the soil of another country, to which they should never have been sent. It is his choices which have diminished Russia’s standing in the world and destroyed the trust of Russia’s neighbours. It is President Putin who is hurting Russia.

President, Russian authorities estimate up to a million people left the country in 2022. Many have spoken of their concerns about the war and its impact, others have fled to avoid being conscripted to fight.

Those who have stayed face dire consequences for speaking out.

And it is telling that our Russian colleagues can only rely on fringe journalists to defend the war in this Chamber.

Let me be clear. An unstable Russia is in none of our interests and we have the highest respect for the Russian people.

President Putin can end the suffering of the Ukrainian people, and of Russia’s own soldiers, tomorrow by withdrawing all Russian forces from within Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory.

But, until then, we will continue to help Ukraine defend itself.

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

Nancy Southern, ATCO, and British Minister, Lord Callanan, announce Chevening/ATCO Scholarship for future Canadian leaders to study in the UK.

Nancy Southern, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of ATCO, and Lord Callanan, UK Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, today announced the Chevening/ATCO Scholarship, which will be open to aspiring Canadian leaders to study an eligible master’s degree, including on the energy transition and sustainability (full details below), at any UK university.

Applications for the Chevening/ATCO Scholarship will be open between mid-September and mid-November 2023, for study in the 2024/25 academic year, with applications to be submitted via chevening.org/apply.
The UK Government’s Chevening scholarships – of which the Chevening/ATCO Scholarship will be a part – are awarded to individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to create positive change, and can show how a UK master’s degree will help them do that. The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since the programme was created in 1983, over 55,000 professionals have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening. There are more than 1,400 scholarships on offer globally for the 2023/2024 academic year. The programme’s alumni include 20 current or former heads of state or government officials. In Canada, notable alumni include Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Lord Callanan, UK Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said during his official visit to Alberta where he announced the partnership with ATCO:

International cooperation is more essential than ever as we work to bolster our energy security, and strive to meet our net zero goals in government and industry

Chevening has built an international community of leaders committed to working together to tackle major global issues, such as the required energy transition.

I am delighted Nancy Southern and the fantastic ATCO team are partnering with Chevening to provide an opportunity for the next generation of Canadian leaders to experience high quality education at our top-class UK universities.

Nancy Southern, Chair & Chief Executive Officer of ATCO Ltd, said:

Our businesses provide the essentials of life, and we believe that education is essential to creating and implementing long term sustainable solutions to enable a fair and secure energy transition, improve economic reconciliation for Indigenous communities, and provide access to affordable housing. Tackling these most important issues requires great collaboration and as such it’s a special honour to converse with Lord Callanan on these issues and to jointly announce ATCO’s support of the Chevening scholarships. I commend the Chevening programme for its purposeful work in creating informed and energetic citizens who have the courage and creativity to address critical issues our society faces.

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

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

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

Chevening-Briggs Scholarship will support aspiring leaders and innovators from Canada to study in the UK.

• strong preference given to high-quality candidates from Indigenous communities
• scholarship offers full financial support for a student to study any eligible master’s degree at a UK university
• scholarship funded by Vancouver-based British entrepreneur and philanthropist David Briggs

The UK High Commission in Ottawa and Canada-based British entrepreneur and philanthropist David Briggs have announced that they have joined forces to create the Chevening-Briggs Scholarship, which will offer the opportunity for a Canadian student to study a Master’s degree at any UK university, with strong preference given to high-quality candidates from indigenous communities.

Applications for the Chevening-Briggs Scholarships will open in mid-September 2023 and should be submitted on the Chevening website.

The UK government’s global Chevening Scholarships programme (under which the Chevening-Briggs Scholarship will operate) is awarded to individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to create positive change and can show how a UK master’s degree will help them do that.

The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since the programme was created in 1983, over 55,000 professionals have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening. There are more than 1,400 scholarships on offer globally for the academic year 2023 to 2024.

The programme’s alumni include 20 current or former heads of state or government officials. In Canada, notable alumni include Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.

David Briggs recognises the importance of supporting candidates, particularly from Métis, Inuit, and First Nation communities, through his scholarship. His preference to award his scholarship to a student from these communities comes from his drive to learn from indigenous groups and promote a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

British High Commissioner to Canada, Susannah Goshko CMG, said:

Each year, I am blown away by the quality of the Canadian Chevening scholars. Regrettably, however, we have yet to award a scholarship to an Indigenous person from Canada. I am delighted that this new partnership has given us a further incentive to address this deficit. I hope that David Briggs’ preference to support an Indigenous person from Canada will help to further the diversity of voices that already enrich the Chevening programme. My sincere thanks to David for his encouragement and support.

David Briggs, Director and Co-founder of GeoComply, said:

I believe strongly in the transformative power of education. Through this partnership, and with a strong emphasis on reconciliation and learning from Indigenous communities, I know we will be able to identify exceptional individuals and create opportunities that empower and uplift them. Programmes which bring together leaders and innovators from across the world, such as Chevening, will be essential to addressing the global challenges we face. I am delighted that a new and ambitious voice from Canada will be a part of that conversation through the Chevening-Briggs Scholarship.

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

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Armenia and Azerbaijan.

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

The British Embassy in Asuncion welcomed David Rutley MP, Minister for Americas and the Caribbean, who attended the Presidential inauguration in Paraguay.

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

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