Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 June 2023.

Explanation of vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 June 2023.

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

Thank you, President.

The UK condemns the DPRK’s reckless, failed satellite launch on 30 May 2023.

Let me be clear. This launch had nothing to do with peaceful uses of outer space. It was a military reconnaissance satellite, and used ballistic missile technology to launch. As such, it was a further violation of this Council’s resolutions.

It follows 9 sets of ballistic missile tests since the start of 2023, including a solid fuel inter-continental ballistic missile test in April. All part of DPRK’s reckless pursuit of advanced nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities with which it seeks to threaten its neighbours.

While the launch failed, it caused alarm for the people of Japan and the Republic of Korea. But it is the North Korean people who bear the highest costs of these launches, as their government diverts resources away from peoples’ basic economic needs.

Colleagues, this behaviour is unacceptable. DPRK continues to flout the international non-proliferation architecture and poses a threat to global peace and security. We understand it intends to repeat the failed launch as soon as it can.

We are ready to work urgently with all Council members to send a unified message to the DPRK. We continue to urge all Member States to fully implement existing resolutions and to counter the continued development of DPRK’s illegal weapons programmes.

Once again, President, we urge the DPRK to cease these launches, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 June 2023.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UNRWA Pledging Conference.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 June 2023.

Events in Tallinn looked at how the cyber and electromagnetic domain plays a vital role in peacetime and crisis, including its impact on the war in Ukraine.

Cyber and electromagnetic domain experts and leaders came together in Tallinn at the Cyber Commanders’ Forum and CyCon 2023.

Collaboration with our allies and partners from across the world is vital – cyberspace has no borders – and the events provided the valuable opportunity for partners to tackle shared challenges.

General Jim Hockenhull, Commander of Strategic Command, attended on behalf of UK Defence and to represent the thousands of personnel whose diligent efforts help ensure the safety and security of the UK.

With over 30 nations represented, the Cyber Commanders’ Forum (CCF), hosted by the Estonian Defence Forces Cyber Command, covered topics including cyber education, training, and emerging and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Cyber Conference (CyCon) 2023 saw over 600 cyber experts from nearly 50 countries come together to address current cyber security challenges through presentations, focus sessions, and breakout groups.

This year’s CyCon had a theme of Meeting Reality which included discussions on new technologies, both the benefits and opportunities they provide also the new threats they pose.

Speaking about the events, General Jim said:

Strategic Command leads cyber for UK Defence. It is a vital domain where global events are shaped – including the conflict resulting from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

There could be no more appropriate hosts for this year’s Cyber Commanders’ Forum and Cyber Conference than Estonia and Poland. UK Defence is proud of our close relationships with these vital allies, forged through our deployed contribution to NATO’s enhanced forward presence both here in Estonia and in Poland under Operation CABRIT.

It is essential that Allies, our partners in industry, and academia make a collective effort to operate together effectively in this domain to protect our nations, defeat and deter our adversaries. These events play a significant role in this integration and I am delighted to represent UK Defence at both.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 June 2023.

The United States of America, United Kingdom and Qatar launch a $10.5 million initiative to continue lifesaving drought and resilience response in Somalia.

Today (25 May 2023) the United States, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the British Embassy in Mogadishu, and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) announced the launch of a $10.5 million drought assistance and resilience program through the Building Resilient Communities in Somalia (BRCiS) consortium.

The trilateral partnership builds upon famine prevention and resilience investments made by USAID, UKAID, and QFFD in 2021 to 2022. It will enable BRCiS to sustain lifesaving service delivery while accelerating recovery efforts over the next 6 months.

Severe drought, compounded by conflict, in Somalia has left 6.6 million people severely food insecure. Since January 2022, more than 3 million people have been displaced and mortality rates have surpassed those in 2017. An estimated 43,000 deaths have already occurred – half of which were among children under the age of 5. Without continued support, more than half a million children under the age of 5 are at risk of severe malnourishment and death this year.

Mike Nithavrianakis, British Ambassador to Somalia said:

The situation in Somalia remains critical. We applaud our partners’ sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance which helped to avert nationwide famine this year. This is significant, but humanitarian aid alone cannot address the crisis. That is why the UK is reinforcing BRCiS’ response through continued collaboration with the US and Qatar.

The tripartite collaboration will for the first time combine investments from the UK, US, and Qatar under one program, BRCiS. This will ensure the continued delivery of emergency cash assistance to purchase food and multi-sector humanitarian assistance, alongside resilience activities to ensure communities are protected and empowered.

Perrine Piton, BRCiS Chief of Party said:

These contributions will save lives. The funds will enable us to reinforce market-based systems that drive supply and demand initiatives while ensuring 41,000 people receive emergency food assistance (multi-purpose cash); 330,000 individuals have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene materials; and 175,000 people are provided with lifesaving health and nutrition services.

US Ambassador Larry André said:

BRCiS will continue to support the Somali people in their communities. Partnership – iskashi – is at the heart of the work of the United States with Somalia. This extension expands that partnership with the UK and Qatar to build on past success.

His Excellency Dr Abdullah bin Salim Al-Naimi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Somalia, said:

The drought crisis has cast a shadow on the already worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This affected millions and has increased the threat of famine, displacement, food insecurity, and severe malnutrition among children, which imposes on everyone without exception.

Providing humanitarian and relief support would alleviate millions affected by humanitarian conditions, helping them to withstand these complex situations further, and working to save lives, which is primarily a human duty.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 June 2023.

Ambassador Holland thanks Director of OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre for CPC’s work in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine and beyond.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 June 2023.

On International Children’s Day, Ambassador Neil Holland says that Ukraine’s children are paying the price of Russian aggression.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 June 2023.

A joint statement by diplomatic missions in Ukraine on International Day for Protection of Children about forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 May 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.

Thank you, Madam Chair,

The UK is proud of our rich and diverse society.  We are making great strides towards becoming a fairer, more inclusive one. However, we recognise the need to continue to tackle, as in all societies, negative ethnic and racial disparities affecting some groups. In the UK that includes people with African and Caribbean heritage as well as other ethnic and religious minorities.

Last year we announced an ambitious Inclusive Britain action plan which aims to increase trust in our institutions; promote equality of opportunity; and encourage a greater sense of belonging.

Work is underway. For example, on criminal justice, where we will deliver a new national framework for how policing powers can be scrutinised by local communities. And education, with a new model history curriculum.

In parallel, through our Online Safety Bill, the UK will be the first country to hold social media companies to account for vile racist abuse online.

As we take this work forward, it is right that we reflect on our national journey.  From an era of empire and colonialism to one of pride in a diverse, modern society. It is a complex history.

The transatlantic slave trade is a scar on our global history.  British citizens and institutions played an important role in ending it.  But like nationals of other countries represented here, Britons were also implicated in it.  We recognise that the victims of slavery were primarily persons of African descent. And we continue to express our deep sorrow that it could ever have happened.

The United Kingdom believes that we must respond to the cruelty of the past by ensuring that current and future generations learn from it.  We are committed to combatting all forms of racism and building a fairer world today.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 May 2023.

UK military advisor, Ian Stubbs, says the Kremlin is struggling to explain its litany of strategic mistakes and failings on the battlefield to the Russian people.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Russia continues to launch large-scale missile and drone strikes on towns and cities across Ukraine. The repeated barrages launched on the people of Kyiv, as they celebrated the anniversary of the founding of Ukraine’s capital, were particularly deplorable. Whilst reports indicate that most attacks continue to be successfully intercepted by Ukraine’s air defences, Friday’s strike against the medical facility in Dnipro was a particularly egregious act. Such indiscriminate missile and drone attacks constitute major human rights violations, are contrary to international humanitarian law, and achieve nothing.

Russia has repeatedly underestimated the strength and determination of the courageous Ukrainian people to defend their homeland. These horrific tactics did not work during the winter, when Russia targeted power stations and water supplies throughout Ukraine, and they will not work now. They will not compensate for Russia’s failings on the battlefield.

Madam Chair, on Monday [29 May] President Putin signed a bill on Russia’s denunciation of the CFE Treaty. Although symbolic, Russia has refused to abide by the CFE Treaty since 2007, this represents another step in Russia’s incremental rejection of the international rules based order.

From its failure to abide by the 1999 Istanbul Agreements, to non-compliance in the Open Skies Treaty, through to weaponisation of the Vienna Document, Russia has deliberately and systematically attempted to tear apart the European Security Architecture that was designed to keep the continent safe and free from war.

We should be clear, over the past decades, Russia has disregarded, manipulated or withdrawn from international agreements and treaties whenever they no longer supported its nefarious aims. The outcome of this approach is evident in Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and more widely.

On Monday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov proclaimed that Russia was not at fault for the “huge void” in arms control. Well, the facts tell a different story. The “Russia is the victim” argument is so tired and so ridiculous that even the Russian people must see it for what it is – an overused and desperate retort by the Kremlin to try and explain its litany of strategic mistakes that have decimated Russia’s once proud global reputation.

Russia’s actions in Ukraine have been reprehensible and cowardly. Russia has demonstrated complete disregard for International Humanitarian Law; Russia has unleashed horrendous violence, conducting heinous attacks impacting on civilians and civilian infrastructure; and Russia has demonstrated its willingness to sacrifice its own people in their thousands to try and overcome persistent and institutional poor decision making by the Kremlin. Putin’s horrific war of choice has created a legacy for which millions will be forced to bear the cost of for years to come.

Madam Chair, Russia’s announced intention to deploy nuclear weapons and nuclear-capable systems on Belarusian territory is the latest in a long pattern of irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. It is designed to distract and deter us from supporting Ukraine. Russia should seek to reduce tensions and the risk of miscalculation, not increase them.

Madam Chair, we again call on the Belarusian regime to desist from supporting Russia’s attempts to stoke further instability in the region and stop its support of Russia’s illegal invasion.

Madam Chair, the UK and its international partners are steadfast in our support for Ukraine as demonstrated by the continued provision of military assistance. Ukraine has regained territory and liberated thousands of Ukrainian people thanks to the awe-inspiring bravery of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the resilience of the Ukrainian people and overwhelming international support. Together, the UK and partners are ensuring that Ukraine will win. Our united approach of providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself and push Russia out of Ukraine’s sovereign territory is the swiftest, and only, path to a just and lasting peace. Thank you.