Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2023.

Mr Gareth Keith Hoar has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Independent State of Samoa in succession to Mr David Ward who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Hoar will take up his appointment during June 2023.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Gareth Keith Hoar

Married to: Rebecca Haixiang Hoar

Date	Role
2018 to 2022	Wuhan, HM Consul General
2017 to 2018	Full Time Language Training (Mandarin)
2016 to 2017	Beijing, Director DIT China (temporary duty)
2012 to 2016	Melbourne, HM Consul General
2008 to 2012	Beijing, Deputy Director, UKTI China
2007 to 2008	City of London (on secondment), Head of International Affairs
2005 to 2007	FCO, China Team Leader, Far Eastern Group
2002 to 2005	Beijing, First Secretary, Trade and Investment
2000 to 2001	Guangzhou, HM Consul General
1997 to 1999	Guangzhou, Vice-Consul
1994 to 1997	FCO, Human Resources Officer (Graduate, Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development 1996)
1991 to 1994	Washington, Third Secretary, Press and Public Affairs
1989 to 1991	Santiago, Administration Officer
1986 to 1988	Beijing, Commercial Attaché
1984 to 1986	FCO, Personnel Operations Department

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2023.

His Majesty King Charles III has awarded the Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) to Mr Kuwahara in recognition of his exceptional contribution to furthering UK-Japan cooperation in civil nuclear.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 April 2023.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Alice Jacobs at the UN Security Council debate on export of weapons and military equipment.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 April 2023.

UK Minister for Development and Africa visits Cameroon and reaffirms UK support to trade and infrastructure.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 April 2023.

Joint Statement by France and the United Kingdom on the 25th anniversary of their ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 April 2023.

Minister for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, visited Egypt during Ramadan.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, British Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict reaffirmed the close ties between the United Kingdom and Egypt during his second visit to the country, engaging in several meetings with key Egyptian interlocutors.

Visiting Cairo for two days during the holy month of Ramadan, Lord Ahmad met Egyptian officials, faith leaders and figures from across business and civil society to discuss UK-Egypt cooperation; discussing the UK’s commitment on religious harmony, reaffirming Egypt as a key market for UK businesses and investors, and recognising Egyptian efforts to reduce tensions in the region

Meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Lord Ahmad discussed the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, thanking Egypt for its unceasing efforts to promote peace and reduce tensions between the two sides. The minister was clear that the UK firmly rejects violence and unilateral action which will only serve to exacerbate tensions, undermining efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution. The two ministers also discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the negative effect the conflict has had on the world economy, including in the MENA region.

Lord Ahmad later met the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyab, as well as with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. In his meetings with both leaders, he discussed the vital importance of religious dialogue and tolerance, especially during troubled times worldwide. Egypt has always been an example of how different faiths can live in harmony, and the minister was pleased to be able to meet with some young Azhari scholars to discuss how religion can continue to be a force for good regionally and globally.

Lord Ahmad also met with leading businesspeople and economists, exploring how UK firms can continue to work with Egyptian partners to seek out mutually beneficial investment opportunities. Under Egypt’s Presidency of COP27, UK companies have been making significant investments in the Egyptian renewables sector, including in green hydrogen, and the minister was keen to raise ambition further and identify future areas of collaboration.

At an evening suhour held at the Embassy, Lord Ahmad was also able to engage with a wide variety of prominent Egyptians from across business, government and civil society, sharing his experiences of Ramadan in the UK, and reflecting on how countries and governments can live up to the ideals of the holy month.

During his time in Egypt, Lord Ahmad also met with the family of Alaa Abd el-Fattah. He stressed that the UK continues to push for immediate consular access, and Alaa’s release, and that he had raised the matter directly with Foreign Minister Shoukry. In addition, Lord Ahmad met with Karim Ennarah to discuss his case.

Completing the visit, Lord Ahmad met with Ahmed Hatem, Egyptian actor and British Embassy social affairs ambassador, and with experts in combating gender-based violence, to discuss how the UK can support Egyptian organisations working in this field, including through the new UK fund, ‘Laha wa Maha’, which supports projects tackling gender-based violence.

Speaking after the visit, Minister of State for the Middle East Lord Ahmad said:

“The month of Ramadan teaches us to reflect on ourselves and on our connections to others, personally and professionally. In doing so, it is clear to me that the partnership between Egypt and the UK is of deep and lasting significance. From issues of regional and global concern, such as reducing tensions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, or working together to tackle the climate crisis, to issues of bilateral importance, such as increasing mutual trade and investment, our partnership is strategic and enduring.

“During my visit, I have met with Egypt’s political and religious leaders to ensure our joint activity delivers positive change for the Egyptian and British people. This includes tackling global challenges such as the war in Ukraine, a matter which I discussed with Foreign Minister Shoukry. It also includes helping the most vulnerable in our societies, and I was delighted to meet with some of the beneficiaries of UK aid here in Egypt, through the ‘Laha wa Maha’ Fund, to hear about the change it has made to their lives. As we move forward, we must continue to discuss this full range of issues – from trade, to aid, to human rights – to strengthen our partnership further and achieve outcomes of benefit to all.”

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 April 2023.

The UK Minister for Development and Africa, Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP, has reaffirmed UK support to Cameroonian trade and infrastructure and discussed the devastating impacts of Cameroon’s conflicts including the human rights situation during a two-day visit.

The Minister saw the impacts of British investment in Cameroon, visiting a major road in the commercial capital, Douala, which is receiving £113 million in funding from UK Export Finance to support its expansion. Due to this important UK support, the critical transportation corridor between Douala and Yaounde, and on into central Africa, is being greatly improved, bringing more and quicker trade to more people.

The UK is committed to deepening its partnership with Cameroon to enhance economic prosperity, with leaders from the country invited to attend the UK-African Investment Summit to be held in London in April 2024.

The Minister met with representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and discussed the most pressing challenges faced in providing humanitarian assistance to victims of the devastating conflict in the Northwest and Southwest.

Over the past five years, the UK has delivered more than £20 million of humanitarian life-saving assistance funding to Cameroon. Meeting with experts from the Education Cannot Wait programme, the Minister discussed how UK funding, through the UN, is supporting urgent education for children affected by conflict, helping those who cannot access school to get an education.

The UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said:

During my third visit to Cameroon, but first as a Minister rather than a businessman, I was struck by the depth of our relationship and how our two countries are working on a range of issues important to both nations.

The long-term partnership between the UK and Cameroon is underpinned by important development and security cooperation, as well as trade, investment and education and of course our ties within the Commonwealth. We have been a strong humanitarian donor over many years, particularly in response to the conflict in the predominantly Anglophone Northwest and Southwest Regions. The UK continues to urge for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

High-level discussions were held with the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, focussing on the conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions, and the conflict in the Far North Region and Lake Chad area, where the UK military provides valuable training.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

The UK delivered the statement on Paraguay at the 38th Session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR), sharing recommendations to improve their human rights record.

The United Kingdom welcomes steps taken by Paraguay to promote and protect human rights, notably the promulgation of Law 5777/16 to eradicate all forms of violence against women in Paraguay. As the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue around the world, we encourage Paraguay to prioritise full implementation of this law by ensuring universal access to health, education and justice to all women and girls.

We also encourage Paraguay to share information on its mechanisms to protect human rights defenders, including those working on environmental issues and journalists, particularly regarding freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

We recommend that Paraguay:

Safeguards the land tenure systems for all, including indigenous people and ensures they are protected from all forms of modern slavery such as forced or compulsory labour and debt bondage.

Passes legislation prohibiting discrimination, including comprehensive prohibitions against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Undertakes measures to prevent high incidence of early, unintended pregnancy, including comprehensive sexuality education in schools and access to services in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

The British Embassy in Asuncion and local craft brewery “The Hop” joined to create the beer “El Embajador” (The Ambassador), to raise funds for soup kitchens.

In an original collaboration, the British Embassy in Asuncion and local craft brewery “The Hop” joined to create the beer “El Embajador” (The Ambassador). The Hop will donate the proceeds from the sales of “El Embajador” throughout the months of September and October to the soup kitchens “Kuña Guapa” in the city of Luque, and “El bosque restaurador” in the city of Limpio.

José Duarte, owner of The Hop, raised the proposal to collaborate with the British Embassy, creating a new variety of craft beer in order to raise funds and support those who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The launch of the idea took place on 13 August, with the participation of then Ambassador Hedges and the staff of the British Embassy in Asuncion. Through a live broadcast on Instagram on The Hop page, the Ambassador announced that proceeds from the non-profit sales would be given to the two soup kitchens.

Jose Duarte of The Hop said:

This idea represents an act of solidarity in trying times. When there is a willingness from the involved parties to try to help, these things come together.

“El Embajador” will be available for sale at The Hop bar in 500ml bottles and also available for refill of growlers (glass jugs) also for sale at The Hop. The beer will remain on the brewery’s menu after the fundraising campaign is over.

“El Embajador”: a tribute

The idea of the collaborative beer coincided with the announcement of the end of the mission of former Ambassador Matthew Hedges. In response to the news, The Hop proposed that the recipe for the new beer be a tribute to the outgoing diplomat.

Thus “El Embajador”, whose name was the most voted in a Twitter poll, was born. The brand design uses the colours and the dragon of the Welsh flag, as the Ambassador’s home nation. The beer, a session IPA, is a mix of traditional British styles with a modern touch, bitter but low in alcohol content. The use of English and American hops gives it a soft aroma of herbs and fruits.

The then Ambassador Hedges closed the launch with an invitation:

I invite you all to collaborate with this project, and to try this delicious beer. Cheers!