Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 May 2023.

Statement by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon at the UN Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians.

Mr President, it’s a pleasure to join this debate under your stewardship, and I thank you and Switzerland for convening this important debate at this important time and acknowledge your contribution and that of His Excellency, the President of Malta and His Excellency, the President of Mozambique. Again, seeing stewardship at the head-of-state level also indicates the importance of this particular subject. I am also particularly moved by the quite specific contributions of the Minister from Ghana.

Minister Dery, you’ve outlined quite specifically the requirements on member states on how we can do more in resolving conflict. And of course, I acknowledge the valuable insights of our expert briefers, the President of the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross]. Mirjana, again, you highlighted some of the practical steps and challenges you face and the responsibilities of coordinated responses with member states and of course, the unique insights from Africa, from Madam Mounkaīla which were extremely valuable when we see drivers of climate change as a key consequence, which then drives conflict itself.

The Secretary-General himself paints a bleak picture, and rightly so, of the conflicts that rage around the world. More than 20 major live conflicts are currently gripping the globe from across all continents Myanmar, Mali, Ukraine, Sudan, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Somalia, to name but a select few. A greater number of affected civilians, as we heard from Secretary-General Guterres, are affected. Civilians who suffer, who suffer and die at the hands of disease, who suffer and die because of malnutrition and impoverishment, and they suffer and die because of these more so than military operations. This, colleagues, friends, is 2023. All of these can be avoided.

The destruction of infrastructure. As we’ve already heard, healthcare, economies and food production causes untold suffering. A point well outlined by the president of the ICRC. A quarter of a billion people in 2023 are experiencing the most acute levels of hunger caused by conflict. I myself, like others, recently saw this together with Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Edinburgh when we visited the Democratic Republic of Congo. And a great many of them who are tragically suffering are women, who are girls. It is women who tend to eat last. It is women who eat least. It is women who end up eating not at all.

In conflict, women and girls, tragically, are also exposed to high levels of gender-based violence, including abhorrent sexual violence. As the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, I assure you I shall never accept this as an inevitable consequence of war, and nor should anyone. And working with our partners and friends, we will continue to support survivors of sexual violence and help them secure justice, help them rebuild their lives. Mr Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has also unleashed other consequences, inflation and shortages of food, as we’ve heard just now from the Minister from Ghana. And this has impacted food security far beyond the continent of Europe. We therefore once again urge Russia to end your occupation and enable life-saving Ukrainian exports to continue into the future. The Sea Grain Initiative in the Black Sea is an important part of this and it must continue to operate. Mr President, there are three areas that we, the United Kingdom, believe should be prioritised.

Firstly, we must do more to improve compliance with international humanitarian law, and we must do more collectively to show that non-compliance is truly a red line. Parties to conflict must be held to account. We welcome initiatives in countries like Somalia, where the government is showing true leadership by strengthening the focus on civilian protection and stabilisation and planning pre-deployment training in humanitarian law for its own troops. And even in Sudan, where we have immense and grave concerns, we welcome parties to the conflict, recognising their responsibilities under international law and committing to allowing and facilitating humanitarian assistance.

The United Kingdom reports voluntarily on its own compliance with humanitarian law as well, and we are encouraged to see many other member states doing the same. To tackle conflict-induced hunger, we also need a greater focus on relevant aspects of international humanitarian law. And in this respect, we are also developing a legal handbook to achieve part of this objective.

Secondly, we can make better use of our early warning systems. Resolution 2417, as we’ve heard already, is our warning system for conflict-induced hunger and reporting under it needs to be much quicker. This Council, this Security Council needs to act more promptly on the information it provides in order to save lives.

Thirdly, we must ensure coherence and coordination between our diplomatic, humanitarian development and peace initiatives. Ultimately, we can only deliver peace. We can only deliver peace with efficient and sustained diplomacy. And we will not be able to deliver sustainable peace without ensuring humanitarian support to ensure sustainable livelihoods.

The United Kingdom on our part, is steadfast in our commitment to support countries to recover from conflicts. And in this regard, next month in London, we will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which also importantly will be engaging the private sector in terms of reconstruction.

Mr President, our well-intentioned words must be followed by swift action. Civilians caught up in conflict need protection now. They need food now. They need essential services. Not tomorrow, but today. And they need them to be delivered promptly. And I assure you that we, the UK, remain committed to supporting those facing the brutal convergence of climate change, as we heard from Madam Mounkaīla, which drives conflict in many parts of the world. And we’ve seen that quite starkly around the Lake Chad Basin. Tomorrow, the United Kingdom will join the United States, Italy, Qatar and OCHA [United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] to focus attention on the crisis in the Horn of Africa. We must raise urgent humanitarian funds to save lives, to save lives now. And we must also invest in long-term solutions to build resilience for the future. As we’ve heard today, again from a number of representatives, including, importantly, those from across Africa.

But ultimately, Mr President, together as we, the United Nations, we have the tools, we have the means at our disposal to prevent and end conflicts today, to restore stability, to deliver accountability and justice, and to give hope back to civilians, to give civilians their lives back. It is our moral imperative to do just that.

Thank you, Mr President.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 May 2023.

UK Statement on Reform as delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO in Geneva, Simon Manley, at the WTO General Council, 8-9 May 2023.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 May 2023.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2023.

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

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2023.

UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty is making his first visit to Armenia on 22 and 23 May to further strengthen bilateral relations.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will make keynote speech in Santiago, Chile that will outline UK’s future relationship with Latin America.

• keynote speech will celebrate 200 years of UK-Latin America relations and set out ambitious future partnership
• James Cleverly will set out how multilateral institutions like the United Nations need reform to give more voice and more influence to region
• he will outline trade and investment opportunities with the value of imports and exports rising by 45.4% last year

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will use a keynote speech in the Chilean capital Santiago today (Monday 22 May) to set out the UK’s future relationship with Latin America.

The speech comes as British embassies across the continent prepare to celebrate 200 years of UK-Latin America relations.

At Santiago’s Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre, Cleverly will speak of his pride in the role the UK played in supporting the struggle for Latin America’s independence 2 centuries ago – describing Britain as the region’s “oldest friend”.

The Foreign Secretary will say the “tectonic plates of world politics are shifting once again” and will use his address to young leaders to highlight the values that unite Latin America and the UK.

On the shared values between the UK and Latin America, Cleverly will say:

Our position is clear. Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, self-determination and human rights must prevail. Alongside democracy, the rule of law, liberty and freedom. We know these are your values too.

Cleverly will highlight the UK-Latin America partnership on matters of global importance, including tackling climate change, upholding democracy and human rights and securing free and open supply chains of critical minerals.

On UK-Latin American relations in the 21st century, the Foreign Secretary will say:

We should be ambitious for our future relationship. Not just because of the historical bonds of friendship that have united us for more than 200 years, but because we treasure the same fundamental values that inspired the creation of this international order. It will only evolve, survive and prosper with the support and whole-hearted engagement of this great region.

Cleverly will call for Latin American countries to be given a louder voice in multinational organisations like the UN, including a permanent Security Council seat for Brazil:

[Latin America’s] demographic and economic weight gives you a pivotal role in determining whether the international order will endure… But our world’s multilateral institutions need reform, in particular to give more voice and more influence to Latin America.

Latin America, home to 660 million people and with combined GDP of almost $6 trillion, is an enormous potential market for the UK. Mexico, Chile and Peru are among the region’s members the UK will be joining in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trading bloc – boosting British jobs, growth and influence.

To set out the importance of engagement with Latin America, the Foreign Secretary will highlight trade and investment opportunities that exist following the UK’s accession to CPTPP:

The total value of imports and exports rose by a massive 45.4% last year to more than £40 billion. But with Latin America representing only 2.1% of UK imports and 2.6% of UK exports worldwide, I recognise that there is much more to do on trade and investment.

It comes during the first visit by a Foreign Secretary to South America since 2018 – helping meet a UK foreign policy objective to revive old friendships and build new ones beyond established alliances. As well as Chile and Colombia, Cleverly is also travelling to Brazil.

The address in Santiago builds on the Foreign Secretary’s commitment to deepening engagement with countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America made in his speech on 12 December 2022 – where he said the UK’s future global impact will depend on winning over a far broader array of global partners.

Referencing the leadership of revolutionary figures like Simon Bolivar, the Foreign Secretary will say the values that were evident in Latin America’s fight for independence 200 years ago can still be harnessed today:

Two hundred years ago, Simon Bolivar said that ‘the freedom of the New World is the hope of the universe’. Your love of freedom continues to inspire the world today. It’s why I’ve come from London to revive old friendships and build new ones. And to pledge our long-term commitment.

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

The UK is providing an additional £2.3 million (over 300 million Taka) in humanitarian support for the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.

This new UK support will provide Rohingya communities with health care, shelter, and basic site management support. It will also strengthen safeguarding systems for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.

Acting British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Matt Cannell, announced this additional funding during a visit to the Rohingya camps and host communities in Cox’s Bazar in the aftermath of cyclone Mocha.

Implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this new UK support responds to ongoing needs in the Rohingya camps. It will help refugees to rebuild their shelters following the largescale fire in Camp 11 in March 2023, which destroyed 2,800 shelters; and Cyclone Mocha in May, which has reportedly affected 37,000 Rohingya refugees.

Acting British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Matt Cannell said

“The UK stands with Rohingya and host communities as they look to recover from the impact of Cyclone Mocha.

“I am proud to announce this new UK support of £2.3 million, which will help respond to recent tragedies as well as the ongoing needs in the camps and host communities. The UK remains committed to supporting the Government of Bangladesh to find a sustainable solution to this crisis and is providing vital humanitarian support.”

IOM Bangladesh’s Chief of Mission Abdusattor Esoev said

“This support comes at a critical time when Rohingya refugees and the host communities in Cox’s Bazar are facing immense challenges due to recent disasters, and ongoing humanitarian needs, especially in the aftermath of the devastating fire and Cyclone Mocha.

“With the support of the UK, we will be able to provide essential healthcare, shelter, site management support, and strengthen safeguarding systems for those affected. The partnership between IOM and the UK government has been instrumental in responding to the Rohingya crisis, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to support the people in need with humanitarian assistance.”

Since 2017, the UK has provided £352 million of humanitarian support to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.

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

The Foreign Secretary visits Chile as the UK and Chile celebrate 200 years of bilateral consular relations.

During his time in Santiago, the Foreign Secretary will chair the UK-Chile High-Level Political Dialogue alongside Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren. As Chile commemorates 50 years since the military coup of 1973, the Foreign Secretary will visit Santiago’s Museum of Memory and Human Rights alongside Foreign Minister Van Klaveren, reaffirming the UK and Chile’s shared values and commitment to democracy and human rights. 200 years since the appointment of Great Britain’s first Consul General, the Foreign Secretary will launch a campaign celebrating the bicentennial of bilateral consular relations. The Foreign Secretary will also deliver a speech to young Chilean changemakers, meet Chile’s next generation of female leaders and visit Latin America’s first green hydrogen plant and fuel station.

The Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, will visit Chile on 22 May as part of a regional tour of Latin America and the Caribbean underscoring the UK’s partnership with the region. At the UK-Chile High-Level Political Dialogue, the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Van Klaveren will set the direction for the UK and Chile’s diplomatic, economic, trade and defence links. The ministers will review the UK and Chile’s bilateral trade relationship after Chile’s accession to CPTPP and the UK’s conclusion of negotiations to join the agreement; the UK and Chile’s partnership on climate and sustainability, including the green energy transition; and co-operation on multilateral issues as two likeminded partners committed to working together to solve global challenges.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

This is a milestone year in the history of UK relations with countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, including in Chile.

While I look forward to celebrating our longstanding and historic relationship, I am also in Chile to renew and enhance our ties for the years ahead.

It is a partnership that will be marked and strengthened by our shared values of freedom, democracy and concern for the state of our planet.

The Foreign Secretary will also address an audience of young Chilean changemakers at the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre, where he will give a speech on the UK’s relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean, the values shared by the UK and the region, and how to work together to tackle the critical global issues of the 21st century. The Foreign Secretary will also visit Anglo American’s green hydrogen plant to witness how renewable energy technologies pioneered by British business are leading the way on the green energy transition and a more sustainable approach to mining. During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will also announce a post-graduate scholarship programme focusing on lithium technologies and environmental governance.

At an event marking the 200-year anniversary of the UK and Chile’s bilateral consular relations, the Foreign Secretary will celebrate the UK and Chile’s historic and thriving people-to-people links. The Foreign Secretary will join representatives from business, government, academia, the arts, civil society and sport to celebrate this historic moment with people who are at the heart of the UK-Chile relationship, working together on issues that are important to both the UK and Chile.

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

UK government sanctions 86 individuals and entities, targeting Russia’s theft of Ukrainian grain, advanced military technology, and remaining revenue sources.

The UK has today (Friday 19 May) announced a new wave of sanctions against Russia, targeting businesses and individuals connected to Russia’s capacity to fund and wage the war.

The 86 designations target individuals and organisations connected to Russia’s energy, metals, defence, transport, and financial sectors – ramping up pressure on Putin’s remaining revenue and attempts to use these sectors to support the military machine.

The designations come after the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new import bans on Russian diamonds and metals at the G7 in Japan earlier today.

This includes a crackdown on the shady individuals and entities connected to the theft and resale of Ukrainian grain, as well as targeting Russia’s major energy and arms shipping companies.

Companies connected to Rosatom, which are producing advanced materials and technology, including lasers, have also been sanctioned.

The Foreign Secretary has also announced, consistent with our laws, that Russia’s sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain immobilised until Russia agrees to pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine.

These new sanctions come as the Prime Minister meets his counterparts at the G7 Summit in Japan and holds talks on long-term support for Ukraine’s defence and joint action on Russia’s malign activity.

Through a combination of these designations and new import bans on Russian diamonds and metals, the UK is working with international partners to further constrain Russia’s capacity to wage its illegal war, increasing economic pressure, and tackling all emerging forms of circumvention until Ukraine prevails.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Putin and his supporters must – and will – pay the price for their illegal invasion of Ukraine.

That’s why through today’s new sanctions we are increasing the economic pressure on Putin – making it harder for him to wage his illegal war and inflict untold suffering on innocent Ukrainians.

We will continue to increase this pressure and crack down on all emerging forms of circumvention until Ukraine prevails and peace is secured.

Our support for Ukraine is, and will remain, resolute for as long as it takes.

Energy

The UK is taking new action against Russia’s energy sector – building on the import bans of Russian coal, oil, and LNG – by introducing designations of 9 organisations connected to Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company, Rosatom, which has been connected to Putin’s war effort.

This includes UMATEX, which produces composite materials based on carbon fibre for Rosatom that could be used for military purposes, and TRINITI whose research and development into laser physics is directly funded by the Russian Federation’s State Defence Order. TRINITI’s lasers have been installed on tank chassis with the aim of dazzling the optics of aircraft and disrupting precision weapons.

Oleg Romanenko, a lead official at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant who has been colluding with the Russian government, the Operating Organisation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, 13 members of the Gazprom-Neft board of directors, and 5 members of the Transneft board of directors have also been designated.

Metals

Igor Altushkin, the billionaire oligarch who owns the Russian Copper Company, has been sanctioned. As the third largest producer of copper in Russia, Altushkin and his business have continued to play a key role in a sector of strategic significance for Putin’s military machine.

Eight other companies connected to metals production in Russia have also been sanctioned, and the UK has announced that we will also ban imports of Russian metals including aluminium, nickel, and copper.

Together, these actions increase pressure on Russia’s metal industry, which remains an important revenue stream funding the Kremlin’s war machine, and they have wider impact on the operation of other sectors such as transport and energy.

Transport

Twenty four individuals and entities connected to Russia’s transport services have also been sanctioned.

This includes Pawell Shipping Co LLP, the State Grain Corporation (GZO) and their director Nikita Busel who are connected to the systematic theft of Ukrainian grain. This grain, and other agricultural goods, has been reportedly stolen from warehouses and fields in the temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine and shipped out from Zaporizhzhia – badged as Russian goods.

Six major Russian shipping companies which have enabled and supported Putin’s wartime economy have also been sanctioned. This includes Sun Ship Management, an entity connected to Sovcomflot, Russia’s largest state-owned shipping company, supporting Russia to circumvent or undermine the effects of Western sanctions.

Military

Twenty defence executives and companies have been sanctioned as part of today’s tranche – further targeting the individuals and organisations that are supporting Russia’s continued military activity in Russia by equipping both the Russian armed forces and Wagner group. Amongst those sanctioned are:

• Alan Valerievich Lushinkov and Vladimir Nikolaevich Lepin, who are both Directors of JSC Concern Kalashnikov, who produce 95% of all firearms in Russia
• JSC BMZ which has produced anti-personnel and anti-tank mines used by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine
• JSC Motovilikhinskiye, a minority subsidiary of Russian defence conglomerate Rostec which manufactures howitzers used by the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine

Banks

Five financial institutions have also been sanctioned as part of today’s package of designations – further isolating Russia from the global financial system and undermining Putin’s military capability. This includes JSC Dom RF, which acts under the instruction of the Russian government, and Metallurgical Investment Bank, which is supporting Russia’s industrial exports.

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

The UK has announced £2 million in new humanitarian funding to support vulnerable communities in Myanmar, following the impact of Cyclone Mocha.

• the UK is providing an additional £2 million to support communities impacted by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar
• this new funding will supply clean water and shelter for up to 175,000 people

Today the UK announced £2 million in new funding to support communities impacted by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar. The cyclone has devastated vulnerable communities across northwest Myanmar, with reports of large numbers of deaths amongst the Rohingya.

The cyclone has exacerbated what is already a desperate humanitarian crisis. Following the 2021 military coup, over 17.6 million people need humanitarian assistance; over 1.8 million are displaced; and over 15 million people have limited access to food. Their needs will only increase as the impact of Cyclone Mocha becomes clearer.

The UK has already redirected £650,000 of funding to local and international partners to provide emergency assistance to those most in need. This additional £2 million will enable immediate provision of clean water and shelter for up to 175,000 people, and help mitigate the threat of disease.

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said:

Cyclone Mocha has caused devastation for communities who were already extremely vulnerable, including the Rohingya.

The UK is providing £2 million of new funding to support the many thousands of people left without shelter or access to clean water in Myanmar.

By partnering with organisations already on the ground in northwest Myanmar, we will be able to quickly deliver the lifesaving support that survivors need.

Since 2017, the UK has provided over £81 million to assist Myanmar communities in Rakhine State with water, hygiene and sanitation, emergency food and nutrition services, and healthcare. Over £29.8 million of this has directly supported Rohingya and other Muslim minorities. The UK has enhanced due diligence in place to ensure that no UK aid benefits the Myanmar military regime.

The UK is committed to supporting peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and continues to stand with the people of Myanmar who are suffering once again. We reiterate our calls to an end to all violence, protection of civilians and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need.