Tag: Foreign Office

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

UK Trade Envoy, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, visits Taiwan to strengthen bilateral trade and investment.

The UK Trade Envoy to Taiwan, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, will conduct a week-long visit in Taiwan to strengthen UK-Taiwan trade and investment relations and to deepen bilateral economic and cultural ties.

In July, the UK and Taiwan started official talks on the new UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership including energy & net-zero, digital trade and two-way investment. Both sides share the same goals of reaching net zero by 2050 and have been collaborating in renewable energy development and climate transition for almost 20 years. Lord Faulkner will lead 10 British renewable energy businesses to participate in the 18th UK-Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference to share UK best practice on offshore wind development (operations & maintenance and floating wind) and on emerging technologies (low carbon hydrogen, CCS & smart grid). He will share the UK renewable energy experience in Penghu and attend the UK-Taiwan Net Zero Academic Research Forum on 26 September, aiming to enhance the bilateral research collaboration on just and sustainable transition to net zero.

During the visit, Lord Faulkner will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen on 25 September, discuss UK-Taiwan economic and trade collaboration with Economic Affairs Minister Mei-Hua Wang, celebrate the 40th anniversary of the UK Government’s Chevening scholarships with Taiwanese partners and Chevening alumni, and give the keynote address at the Better Business Awards ceremony hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.

With his own career-long interest in transport and railways, Lord Faulkner will continue to support the UK’s links with Taiwan. He will visit the Sugar Railways at XiHu Cultural Park as well as National Taiwan Museum’s Railway Department Park during his visit. He will visit the construction site of Danjiang Bridge designed by the UK’s Zaha Hadid Architects.

Lord Faulkner, UK Trade Envoy said ahead of his arrival:

I am looking forward to visiting Taiwan again and contributing to deepening the UK-Taiwan partnership. Bilateral links have grown stronger and deeper since my last visit in 2018. Taiwan has moved from being the UK’s 8th to 5th largest trading partner in the APAC region. For the first half of this year, we saw the number of UK visitors to Taiwan top the European inbound visitors chart, and I am delighted to add myself to that number to build on the strong people-to-people links between the UK and Taiwan.

Earlier this month, the first UK semiconductors business delegation with 19 innovative British businesses was showcased at 2023 SEMICON Taiwan, seeking trade and investment opportunities and R&D collaboration with Taiwan. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Taiwan continues to grow with bilateral trade reaching £8.6 billion in 2022. UK exports of goods to Taiwan in 2022 increased by 18.2% compared to 2021.

More information

• Lord Faulkner was appointed the UK’s Trade Envoy to Taiwan in 2016. His last visit to Taiwan was in September 2018.
• The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys engage with their respective markets where substantial trade and investment opportunities have been identified by UK Government. They support the drive for economic growth by building on the UK’s existing relations with these markets. There are currently 36 Prime Minister Trade Envoys covering 66 markets. See more information at Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys.
• UK-Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference is held annually. More details on the 18th UK-Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference.
• The Chevening scholarship scheme has been offered to Taiwanese talents for more than 30 years. There are more than 240 Chevening alumni in Taiwan. More information about Chevening scholarship.
• More information about the UK-Taiwan Net Zero Academic Research Forum.
• More information on the Better Business Awards 2023.
• According to Taiwan Tourism Administration, 44,872 UK visitors travelled to Taiwan by the end of July this year (from January to July 2023), the highest number among all European countries.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on 19 September 2023 during his visit to the UN General Assembly in New York.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary congratulated Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship, reiterating the UK’s commitment to ASEAN centrality, stability and prosperity.

They discussed next steps to take forward the Indonesia-UK Roadmap agreed in 2022 and strengthen the bilateral relationship. The Foreign Secretary warmly welcomed Indonesia’s application to join the OECD.

Both Foreign Ministers also discussed key issues such as the importance of working together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met with the UAE Foreign Minister, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his visit to the UN General Assembly.

The Foreign Secretary met the UAE Foreign Minister, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Foreign Secretary praised the strength of the bilateral partnership, building on the two countries’ inaugural Strategic Dialogue held in London earlier this year. He welcomed continued cooperation in tackling global challenges and supporting regional security.

Both looked forward to the UAE’s hosting of COP28 later this year, and noted the opportunity to extend bilateral cooperation, building on our collaboration in the UN Security Council.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his visit to the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Foreign Secretary and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met at UNGA on 18 September.

The Foreign Secretary highlighted the UK’s continued commitment to working with Egypt on our shared priorities.

They reflected on the positive momentum in the UK-Egypt relationship, including trade and investment, as well as collaboration on education and climate. They discussed the ongoing situation in Libya in the aftermath of the devastating floods, and efforts to address the conflict in Sudan. The Foreign Secretary noted the disruptive impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the global economy.

The ministers agreed on the need to work closely together and deepen cooperation on the shared challenge of organised immigration crime. This follows a recent visit by Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed the recent Presidential pardons of human rights activists in Egypt and called for quick progress towards the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland says that Azerbaijan’s use of force is unacceptable and states that the UK is encouraged by today’s announcement of a ceasefire.

Thank you, Chair.

This week began with more hopeful signals in relation to the long running tensions in this region. The UK Government was relieved to hear of the movement of humanitarian goods on 18 September via the Lachin and Aghdam roads into Nagorno-Karabakh, the local population of which has been in such need for so long. ICRC access to provide humanitarian support was – and remains – critical.

Azerbaijan’s decision yesterday to commence a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh put at risk efforts to find a lasting peaceful settlement. Like many others, the UK urged Azerbaijan to cease its unacceptable use of force and return to dialogue. Violence is never the answer.

The UK is encouraged by today’s announcement of a ceasefire and calls on all parties to respect it, for the sake of the civilian population. We also note the announcement of direct talks between representatives of Azerbaijan and the local Karabakhi Armenian community, on 21 September. These are essential to protect the security and needs of the local population.

It is only through diplomacy in line with the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act that we will see a sustainable settlement to this conflict.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly held a meeting with Murat Nurtleu, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 19 September 2023 during the UN General Assembly in New York.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu discussed their shared ambitions to further strengthen their strong bilateral partnership at a meeting during the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Foreign Secretary looked forward to upcoming senior-level UK-Kazakhstan engagement, including the annual Ministerial Strategic Dialogue and Ministerial Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Investment. Priority topics would include close collaboration in higher education, the development of the Middle Corridor transport route, and Kazakhstan’s strong commitment to tackle sanctions circumvention in light of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The two Ministers also discussed opportunities for UK expertise and practical support in Kazakhstan’s trade and services sector, as well as working together on Sustainable Development Goals.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Mercenaries. As delivered at the UN’s 54th Human Rights Council.

Thank you, Mr Vice President,

The UK would like to thank the Working Group for its report presented today, which sheds light on the escalating recruitment of mercenaries in conflict-affected settings and underscores the urgent need to address predatory recruitment practices.

The UK is committed to calling out human rights abuses by mercenaries and holding them to account. That includes those carrying out mercenary-like activities such as the Wagner Group in Africa, who are responsible for driving instability and violence in the region and committing widespread abuses, such as the killing of civilians, torture and sexual and gender-based violence.

It is vital that such groups are held to account and that their actions are exposed. That is why, last week the UK added Wagner Group to the list of proscribed terrorist organisations.

The UK will continue to condemn Wagner’s activities and will work to hold the Wagner Group and other malign actors to account for violating and abusing international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Chair of the Working Group,

What further steps can be taken to hold those operating for the Wagner Group in Africa to account for the instability, violence and abuses they have caused and committed across the continent?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

The UK Government and European Commission gave a statement after the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework meeting.

Joint statement by the UK government and European Commission:

The Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework met today, co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and the European Commission.

The Committee co-chairs took stock of the work undertaken by both sides on the implementation of the Windsor Framework since the last meeting on 23 June, and agreed to continue meeting regularly to monitor and ensure the full implementation of all the elements of the Framework in a faithful way.

The Committee co-chairs also took stock of the work of the Joint Consultative Working Group and its structured sub-groups. They reiterated the importance of continued joint engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says that Russia’s military are floundering strategically as the brave people of Ukraine stand up to Russian aggression.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 September 2023.

The UK Government has today reaffirmed its commitment as a leader on international nature conservation, with a package of measures to address pressing challenges such as biodiversity loss, marine protection, climate change and illegal fishing.

The announcements made at the UN General Assembly in New York this week by Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey and Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad will build on the work that the UK has already done on the international stage to put nature and the environment at the top of the international agenda.

This includes playing a leading role in negotiating and securing the new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at the UN Biodiversity Summit in Montreal, which contains targets and goals to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

To help protect marine life in the high seas, the UK will be one of the first signatories of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, which will help establish large-scale marine protected areas in the two-thirds of the global ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction.

The UK will also sign the Ocean Conservation Pledge, building on our existing commitments to protect at least 30% of our own marine area by 2030, and has endorsed the High-Level Panel Leader’s Communiqué, urging ocean-based action across climate, fisheries, pollution, management and mobilising finance.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

It is vital that we maintain the momentum of the UN Biodiversity Conference last year and focus on implementation.

Today’s announcements will help to tackle biodiversity loss at sea and on land, and I urge more nations to join us as we drive forward progress on this global mission ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said:

I look forward to signing the BBNJ Agreement at the United Nation’s General Assembly and making the UK one of the first signatories. This agreement is a major victory for ocean protection and multilateral diplomacy and underpins the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the cornerstone of ocean governance.

The UK played an important role in the negotiations and will continue to be proactive in preparing for implementation and entry into force and supporting other, particularly developing, countries, to do so.

In addition, the UK government has pledged funding to support marine protection, ocean research and activities to combat illegal fishing. These investments will bolster initiatives aimed at conserving our oceans and ensuring their long-term sustainability by allocating resources to these critical areas.

And on Thursday, the Environment Secretary will chair the first-ever Commonwealth Environment and Climate Ministerial Meeting in the margins of UNGA, looking to strengthen collaboration between Commonwealth countries ahead of UNFCCC CoP28.

As part of the full package of measures to drive forward international progress on tackling biodiversity loss in the ocean and on land, the UK Government has also announced:

• £2.5 million to support the Joint Analytical Cell (JAC), which is a crucial initiative aimed at combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This substantial financial backing underscores the UK’s commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
• £120,000 in funding to Plymouth Marine Laboratory as the secretariat for the Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS) programme. Ocean acidification poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, and this funding will contribute to efforts aimed at monitoring, mitigating, and adapting to this critical issue.
• A commitment to fund a project focused on the development of potential area-based management tools (ABMTs), such as Marine Protected Areas, in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This initiative aligns with efforts, such as the BBNJ Agreement, to enhance the conservation and sustainable management of marine areas of the global ocean, addressing a critical aspect of marine protection and sustainability. This project will draw on the important work that existing organisations have already carried out and recognise the need to collaborate closely with countries in regions where such proposals are to be developed.
• That it has welcomed Costa Rica, Panama, and Peru joining the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), a programme funded by the UK’s Blue Planet Fund that supports countries in their ambitions to reduce plastic pollution.

In addition, the UK is resolutely focused on delivering the target to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 through a number of different actions such as welcoming the final Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) risk assessment framework, contributing £10 million towards the GBF fund and actively establishing both Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) within UK waters.

More information on how the UK is focused on achieving the target to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030:

• The UK has welcomed the final Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) risk assessment framework, which was launched on 18 September in New York, and encourages all UK businesses and financial institutions across sectors to engage with the TNFD’s framework and consider getting involved in the work of the UK’s TNFD National Consultation Group. The TNFD is an invaluable tool for redirecting financial flows towards nature positive outcomes.
• The UK is contributing £10 million towards the GBF fund. This contribution serves as a testament to the UK’s recognition of the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and the importance of collective action.
• On the domestic front, the UK has been actively establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) within its own waters. This effort is a vital component of the UK’s broader strategy to safeguard marine biodiversity and promote sustainable fisheries. These designated areas serve as havens for marine life, allowing ecosystems to thrive and regenerate while also contributing to broader conservation objectives.
• Furthermore, the UK is actively engaged in international efforts to protect critical ecosystems, such as mangroves. The commitment to the High-Level Climate Champions Mangrove Breakthrough target to mobilize $4 billion in funding to revitalise mangroves highlights the UK’s recognition of the vital role these coastal ecosystems play in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.
• The UK has also committed to spending at least £3 billion on climate solutions which will focus specifically on the intrinsic connection between climate change and biodiversity loss. By investing in climate solutions that prioritise nature, the UK aims to address both environmental crises simultaneously, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for both our ecosystems and our communities.