Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

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

Thank you, President, and thank you to Ms Pobee and Special Envoy Tetteh for their insightful briefings.

I will make three brief points.

First, the United Kingdom commends UNISFA’s tireless efforts to help maintain peace and security in Abyei, under challenging circumstances.

A year since the mission began its transition from having a single Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) to becoming a multinational force, it is clear that this process has been a success and that the newly configured force is making a tangible difference to the security situation in Abyei.

Second, despite the positive role played by UNISFA, the local population continues to suffer from an absence of basic services.

The United Kingdom urges all parties fully to respect International Humanitarian Law and protect and enable humanitarian staff, assets and operations to deliver aid to those in need in all parts of Abyei, without hindrance.

We remain concerned by the ongoing intercommunal violence and increasing tensions within the Dinka community. We welcome the recent efforts by South Sudan to stop the violence between the Ngok Dinka and the Twic Dinka.

We are, however, concerned by the positioning of the South Sudanese People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), and National Police personnel in Abyei in violation of the 2011 agreement.

The presence of these forces is exacerbating tensions and hindering peace. We call upon the Government of South Sudan to withdraw its forces without delay.

Third, we echo the Secretary’s General concern over the effect on Abyei of the military clashes across Sudan.

We note the offer by President Kiir to facilitate talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. The United Kingdom underlines its support for regional efforts to support a ceasefire, including through the Trilateral Mechanism.

We echo calls for a lasting ceasefire and for humanitarian needs to be urgently addressed.

President, in closing, the conflict in Sudan is a tragedy. It also presents a significant impediment to agreeing a peaceful settlement to the final status of Abyei, which remains key to enabling long-term peace and development in the territory.

We urge the parties not to lose sight of this vital issue, and stress the importance of resuming talks on the final status as soon as is practicable.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

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

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at Israel’s UPR at the Human Rights Council.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at United Arab Emirates’ UPR at the Human Rights Council.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

At the 2023 Education World Forum the International Development Minister launched a Girls’ Education and Skills Programme following the UK-ASEAN Plan of Action.

• new support will provide around 100,000 women and girls with access to education and training in Southeast Asia
• the programme will boost female employment in sectors such as data analysis and technology
• this comes as the UK hosts the world’s largest gathering of education ministers in London at the Education World Forum

A new UK funded programme will offer some of the most marginalised women and girls in Southeast Asia a better future by boosting access to a quality education.

Funding will go towards improving the quality of education for women and girls by prioritising teaching basic reading and maths skills to unlock their full potential.

The programme will expand women and girls’ access to digital and technical education – focusing on what skills are needed to gain employment in high-skill sectors such as technology and manufacturing.

It will also promote the inclusion of remote and minority communities, urban poor and children with disabilities by setting up disability assessments to identify additional needs and medical referrals for eye tests.

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell will announce the funding at the Education World Forum (EWF) conference in London today, the largest international gathering of education ministers.

Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell said:

Greater gender equality brings freedom, boosts prosperity and strengthens global security. Countries can’t develop if half the population are held back from fulfilling their full potential.

This means working in partnership with countries to provide a quality education for all with a focus on girls to address the barriers they face including violence, poverty, harmful gender norms and climate change.

We’re working with partners across Southeast Asia to tackle the learning crisis and improve education and future employment opportunities of women and girls to ensure a prosperous future.

Around 140 million children in Southeast Asia experienced loss of education due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is made worse by low quality schooling, learning poverty, limited access to schools in rural areas, education that fails to equip students with workplace skills and girls dropping out of school because of early marriage.

In the ASEAN region, girls make up a larger proportion of out of-school children at primary level. This limits opportunities in later life and increases the risks of facing early marriage, young pregnancy and poverty.

The new UK funding of £30 million will address these barriers to education for the 1.2 million girls threatened with permanent school drop-out through cost-effective measures such as merit-based scholarships, girls clubs and catch up classes to ensure children stay in school.

UK expertise will help schools improve the quality of teaching through lesson planning and in-class support so more children are able to read and understand a short story by the age of 10 years old. This means the programme will directly support progress towards the UK’s commitments for 40 million more girls in school and 20 million more girls reading.

The 5-year programme is the first in a series of new ASEAN-UK programmes designed to deliver on UK commitments as a dialogue partner and is further evidence of the UK’s renewed effort to prioritise educating girls as set out in the Women and Girls Strategy.

It is part of the UK’s effort to improve effectiveness of education and follows the recently announced Scaling Access and Learning in Education programme to help get an additional 6 million girls around the world into school.

The UK also launched a new report with the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel and World Bank on ‘Cost Effective Approaches to Improve Global Learning’, which builds on the importance of early childhood education and provides recommendations covering health, nutrition and socio-emotional development.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) tells OSCE’s Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group that Russia’s invasion shows the threat posed to our societies by kleptocracies.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at Montenegro’s UPR at the Human Rights Council.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will meet US Secretary of State and leading members of Congress to discuss the US and UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine.

• Foreign Secretary travels to Washington today (Monday 8 May) for meetings with the administration and Congress on sustaining UK-US support for Ukraine
• James Cleverly to meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken and leading Democrat and Republican figures in Congress
• part of UK efforts to secure long-term, international commitment to Ukraine emerging from the war as a strong, sovereign and free nation

The Foreign Secretary travels to Washington DC today (Monday 8 May) for meetings with the Biden Administration and the US Congress, to discuss the US and UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine.

James Cleverly will stress the importance of a continued, united international front for ensuring a Ukrainian victory.

Beyond Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary will use his meetings to encourage the $1 trillion bilateral investment relationship between the UK and US, which is driving economic growth in both countries. He will stress the need for the UK and US, as likeminded democracies, to make their economies more resilient and protect livelihoods on both sides of the Atlantic in a more geopolitically contested world.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

For well over a century the UK and US have been partners of first resort in standing up for freedom and democracy.

Whether it’s standing up for our friends in Ukraine, or promoting transatlantic prosperity through our $1 trillion investment relationship, the UK-US relationship continues to make life better for our people and the world.

On Tuesday James Cleverly will meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken and on Wednesday he will hold talks with leading Republican and Democrat members of Congress.

The UK’s efforts to push for a Ukrainian victory and boost economic security are supporting the government’s priorities of bringing down the cost of living, by tackling inflation and creating more opportunities for growth.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2023.

The British High Commissioner To India, Alex Ellis hosted a reception and screening of the Coronation of Their Majesties The King Charles III and The Queen, at his residence in New Delhi today.

This historic milestone is being celebrated in the UK over a special long weekend with events to bring the UK together, and celebrations and events taking place at 280 diplomatic missions around the world.

The reception was attended by a wide range of dignitaries from the Government of India, representatives from Commonwealth nations, business leaders, and other eminent personalities. The High Commissioner also joined Chef Shaun Kenworthy in the kitchen to prepare the ‘Coronation Quiche’ for the guests.

Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said,

The Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen is a historic event. Today’s ceremony reflected a modern and diverse UK, with representatives from many faiths – including Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam – carrying the Coronation Regalia.

His Majesty has had a long and enduring love for India and it is my privilege celebrating this moment with friends here in Delhi.

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 5 May 2023.

John Lamont was shown around the Synagogue and Heritage Centre by Manager Kerry Patterson and by two members of the Board, Liz Cameron and Deborah Haase.

Liz Cameron is Vice-Chair of the Board and former Lord Provost of Glasgow, in addition to being a volunteer guide on the weekday guiding service. Deborah Haase is Honorary Curator of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre and trustee on the Heritage Centre Board.

Beginning in the historic synagogue, the group discussed the roots of Scotland’s Jewish communities before visiting the Scottish Holocaust-era Study Centre and displays.

Here, the Minister was shown one of the Learning Kits – about Dorrith Sim – used by school groups who visit to learn about the stories of Jewish refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe.

UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said:

For the past 200 years the Jewish community has made a significant contribution to life in Scotland and it was a real privilege to hear more about this while exploring the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre. Established in 2021, in part through funds from the UK Government-backed Community Security Trust, visitors to Glasgow’s wonderful Category A-listed Garnethill Synagogue can learn about the history and culture of Scottish Jewry, including how Scotland responded to events in Nazi Germany and took in a number of refugees.

The UK Government is committed to supporting Jewish communities so they can live and worship safely. I thank those involved in the only Jewish Heritage Centre in Scotland and urge as many people as possible to visit – and make a donation if able – to support this vital project.

For more information – https://sjhc.org.uk/