Tag: Foreign Office

Thank you, President, for convening this timely debate. Your own personal leadership in delivering the Maputo Peace Accords offers many valuable lessons for “Silencing the Guns” across the African continent. I am grateful to our briefers for their presentations.

President, the human and financial costs of conflict are unsustainable. Done well, development is the best form of prevention.

Durable peace, security and development can only be secured through integrated solutions, which bring together the breadth of UN and African Union development expertise. This also means ensuring countries can access adequate development financing to take action. And as President Nyusi said development and security need to be underpinned by respect and defence of human rights.

I will make three additional points:

First, the United Kingdom is committed to long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with African countries to promote economic development. In this context, the Prime Minister will host the UK African Investment Summit in London in April 2024. The Summit will promote two-way trade and investment with African countries to create jobs and growth. The Summit seeks to support initiatives to encourage intra-African trade integration and women’s economic empowerment. We know that economic growth and stability contribute to longer-term peace and security.

Second, the United Kingdom strongly supports increased collaboration in the UN on development, and peace and security. So, in addition to this Council’s work on peace and security, this means complementary and mutually reinforcing peacebuilding and development responses. Yesterday’s discussion in the Peacebuilding Commission on Mozambique’s recent journey was a good example of this. Root causes of conflict and violence need to be addressed based on holistic analysis and the use of integrated solutions.

Third, the United Kingdom continues to encourage enhanced partnerships between the UN, African Union, the African Development Bank, the World Bank and regional partners. We partner closely with the African Union on shared priorities such as strengthening health systems and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The UK is proud to support the AU’s Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation. This is an important continental tool to help prevent and manage conflict.

President, the UK will remain a committed partner for advancing development, peace and security across the African continent, including support of the implementation of the “Silencing the Guns” initiative.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Firstly, I would like to welcome Ambassador Aggeler to the Permanent Council – thank you to you and your team for your work over the past 12 months, and for this comprehensive report.

The United Kingdom highly appreciates the work and added value of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. I was delighted to be able to visit Sarajevo earlier in March and witness first-hand some of the excellent work the Mission is supporting on the ground.

Mr Chair, the UK remains committed to supporting a stable, secure, and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will continue to work with the authorities to tackle threats to its democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We condemn the continued polarisation and inter-party confrontation, which heightens the risks of destabilisation. Dangerous and divisive nationalistic rhetoric and hate speech only serves to hurt the country and its citizens.

We urge the authorities to pass key legislation on rule of law as part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU path, including laws on the Prevention of Conflict of Interest and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.

The UK welcomed the peaceful conduct of the October 2022 general elections, and was pleased to note the International Election Observation Mission’s (EOM) findings that elections were well-organised and competitive, and that fundamental freedoms were respected. However, we share the concerns expressed by the EOM around segmentation of the vote along ethnic lines, and divisive rhetoric during the election campaign. We are concerned about apparent impunity for electoral fraud, an issue which undermines trust in the democratic process. The UK also regrets that it was necessary for the High Representative to use his Executive ‘Bonn’ Powers in support of political functionality. The UK is committed to supporting the OSCE and Bosnia and Herzegovina in continuing the necessary reforms ahead of local elections in 2024.

The UK supports the OSCE Mission’s continuous efforts on reconciliation, and its assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in building a stable, democratic and peaceful state. In particular, the UK welcomes the OSCE Mission’s commitment to tackling corruption in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As highlighted in the Report, there has been progress – particularly in the establishment of three cantonal anti-corruption offices. The UK will continue to act in support of civil society and the general public to hold authorities to account, on issues ranging from corruption to the legacy of conflict.

Reform of law enforcement legislation is another important area in which we welcome the Mission’s efforts. We urge the Mission to continue to speak out against proposed laws which limit citizens’ human rights and free speech. The series of retrograde legislative moves in the Republika Srpska entity – which, if enacted, would restrict fundamental freedoms for media, civil society, and LGBT+ individuals – are a backwards step. These actions are a shift away from European values and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU path.

The UK warmly welcomes the Mission’s strong engagement in peace- and trust-building initiatives, connecting neighbouring communities and strengthening inter-ethnic relations. We highly value the insight and information provided by the nine Field Offices across the country. I was particularly pleased to visit earlier this month the OSCE Mission-supported programme in the Majevica region, engaging with five municipal administrations working together towards common interests in ecology and tourism.

Finally, I want to focus on gender, which is essential in all areas of the Mission’s work. We highly appreciate the Mission’s engagement in gender equality through education, gender equality in political life, and your strengthening of gender mainstreaming across all aspects of the Mission’s work. Achieving gender equality is essential to more informed thinking and policies that benefit all of our populations.

Mr Chair, at this critical and dangerous time for European security, it is more important than ever to focus our efforts on building a peaceful, prosperous and thriving Bosnia and Herzegovina, working in the interests of its people. Further economic, social and political progress must build on the many years of reforms. It is vital at this time that all institutions and entities work together with the international community to improve the lives of the country’s citizens. There is no time to waste on threats and barriers to engagement – the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve far more. The UK will remain a friend to all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will continue to work across the entire country for the good for all.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Thank you, Ambassador Hasani, for your presentation on your recent work and proposed future activities.

When you last addressed this Council in November, we lamented the humanitarian catastrophe stemming from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, as well as the wide-ranging impacts on Ukraine’s economy and environment. Now in the second year of Russia’s full scale invasion, Russia’s actions continue to have a devastating effect both in Ukraine and globally – with direct impacts on food and energy security. We welcome your office’s on-going efforts to mitigate these effects.

That is why we are pleased to support your work in helping the Ukrainian authorities respond to these environmental challenges through the project “Assessment of environmental impacts of the war against Ukraine and options for remediation”. This project is important for helping the international community understand the true extent of damage caused, and for efforts to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions in Ukraine. We look forward to receiving this project’s first annual assessment in the coming weeks.

We also welcome your specific focus on energy security in Ukraine. In response to failures on the battlefield, we have seen increased Russian attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure since October – a desperate and futile attempt to break the will of Ukrainian people.

More broadly, your proposed work to help participating States diversify their energy supplies can help bolster energy security and build resilience against those seeking to weaponise energy supplies. In this regard, we welcome the specific focus in Central Asia, and look forward to receiving lessons learned from the scoping mission on energy security and geothermal resources in Kyrgyzstan.

The work you are doing to address the use of cryptocurrencies and virtual assets as tools to launder criminals’ proceeds is vital. We agree that serious and organised crime, as well as corruption, represent the biggest threats for law enforcement authorities in South-Eastern Europe. This is why the UK is pleased to be able to support the extra-budgetary project on strengthening the fight against transnational organised crime in South-Eastern Europe that provides support to the entire asset cycle.

Finally, we welcome your work to integrate a gender perspective in key projects, including building the capacity of Central Asian women and realising their full potential as leaders and agents of change in the energy transition. As we have said many times in this forum, outcomes will always be limited if only half the talent is included in solving problems. And as our Foreign Secretary said at the recent launch of our new Women and Girls Strategy, we can only build a safer and greener world if we put women and girls at the heart of our efforts. The diverse voices, knowledge and leadership of women and girls are essential to local, national and international decision-making.

Before closing, I would like to add that we too share your regret that consensus on the Permanent Council Decision on the theme, agenda and modalities of the 31st EEF of the OSCE was unable to be reached. At the Prep Comm earlier today Russia again stood alone in opposing the draft decision. This, despite the CiO’s hard work to meet the unjustified concerns of the Russian delegation. We are forced to conclude that – as with so much of the organisation’s work – Russia simply wants to attempt to frustrate the OSCE’s ability to operate.

Ambassador Hasani, thank you again for your report, and we look forward to supporting you in the year ahead.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Russian forces took full control of Bucha by 5 March 2022, and remained there until 30 March. That is one year ago, today. Since then, Bucha has become synonymous with the some of the most despicable horrors unleashed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. My statement today will set out just some of the cruelties the people of Bucha were forced to endure.

When Ukrainian forces liberated Bucha, and foreign journalists arrived shortly after, they saw dozens of dead bodies. First on the streets. Then in gardens, apartments, basements, vehicles, forested areas and improvised individual and collective graves. Many bore signs of summary execution. According to the OHCHR, some civilians were “killed on the spot” and others were detained before being executed – sometimes “several weeks later”. Over time, more and more bodies have been recovered in Bucha. As of 13 September 2022, Kyiv’s regional police force put the total death toll at 422.

Mr Chair, innocent civilians are at the heart of this suffering. People like 69 year old Valeriy, who was killed in his own garden. People like 14 year old Yurii, who was shot in the arm by the same Russian soldier who killed Yurii’s father at a Russian checkpoint. And people like 52 year old Iryna who was found dead, on the side of the road – like so many others. Photos of Iryna’s muddy upturned hand, and her bright red fingernails, became a potent symbol of the human suffering in Bucha.

Two Moscow Mechanism reports have documented clear patterns of serious violations of international humanitarian law, “attributable mostly to the Russian forces”. This includes in Bucha, where experts noted reports of bodies found with their hands tied behind their backs, including in the basement of a children’s health centre; a mass grave containing more than 70 bodies; bodies bearing obvious signs of torture and mutilation; and of torture chambers discovered in a summer camp. In one village in the Bucha district, 18 mutilated bodies of men, women and children were reportedly discovered, some with their ears cut off, others with their teeth pulled out.

The growing body of evidence shows that Russian authorities have committed a wide range of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. In Bucha, Irpin, Izyum, Kherson and more. Too many more. The atrocities committed in these locations will forever be a moral stain upon the Russian armed forces. And a moral stain on the Russian diplomats who continue to peddle the Kremlin’s lies to obscure and distract from these crimes. Lies which will never work.

The UK is fully committed to holding Russia to account for its illegal and barbaric actions in Ukraine. These should be independently investigated. Alongside supporting the International Criminal Court, the UK, United States and European Union have established the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group in support of Ukraine’s domestic war crimes prosecutions. Those responsible will face justice.

Mr Chair, when President Zelenskyy was asked recently about his worst memory of Russia’s invasion, he answered “Bucha”. We will never forget those who have been killed in Putin’s barbaric, senseless invasion – including those in Bucha. We will never abandon those who remain. We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukrainians have shown tremendous courage and resilience in the face of such wanton destruction and evil. Ukraine will prevail, rebuild and flourish.

• Minister for the Indo-Pacific to  launch British Investment Partnerships in the Philippines, boosting UK-backed investment in green energy and infrastructure
• Minister to hold talks covering UK-Philippines cooperation on maritime security, trade and investment, and climate and environment.
• Minister to attend event promoting women’s rights, and highlighting the launch of the UK’s first Women and Girls Strategy this month
• Visit comes after the publication of the Integrated Review Refresh, which reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to its partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

UK Minister for Indo-Pacific, Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, will this week visit Manila (30-31 March). Minister Trevelyan will meet with President Marcos and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo, as well as defence, finance and environment ministers. Talks are expected to focus on defence, trade and climate links and the shared ambition to upgrade the UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership. The Minister will also meet members of the House of Representatives to establish a UK-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue.

While in Manila, the Minister will formally launch British Investment Partnerships (BIP) in the Philippines. Working with the Philippine government and private sector partners, BIP will mobilise high-quality, reliable investment and technical expertise to support sustainable infrastructure development and the transition to clean energy in the Philippines.

BIP builds on the ongoing work of UK development finance institutions, which provide funding and expertise to support resilient growth in the Philippines. This includes the UK’s Mobilist programme, which is investing in green energy and other projects, including $25m in financing for the Philippines’ first solar plants on Negros Island. British International Investment (BII), the UK’s longstanding development finance programme, will also expand investment in green infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

The FCDO is also finalising a partnership agreement with the Philippine Stock Exchange for the MOBILIST programme, to open up another capital source in support of the Philippines’ climate transition.

Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

The Philippines is an economic and environmental powerhouse, which stands on the frontline of climate change and other global challenges.

Through British Investment Partnerships, we will support the development of high-quality, sustainable infrastructure to accelerate the transition to clean energy and secure a prosperous and resilient future for the Philippines.

The Minister will also visit the headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard, where she willl join a tour of a Coast Guard vessel and Manila Bay, and discuss enhanced UK-Philippines cooperation on issues of maritime security and marine conservation.

Finally, the Minister will attend an event hosted by the British Embassy Manila to mark International Women’s Month, where she will outline the UK’s commitment to place the rights of women and girls at the heart of its foreign policy. She will meet women leaders from government, business and civil society who pioneer change in their sectors.

Thank you, President.

We thank Vanuatu and the core group presenting this resolution for the positive and constructive approach they have taken toward negotiations, and in particular welcome the presence of Prime Minister Kalsakau in this meeting.

The United Kingdom is committed to taking ambitious action to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. We were proud to host COP26 in Glasgow, where all 197 Parties agreed to the Glasgow Climate Pact. At COP26, nature also moved from the margins of the debate on climate change to the heart of it. The UK will continue to lead and engage on climate change and on nature to make sure that promises are kept and delivered to the highest standards, working with all partners to maintain momentum.

The UK is especially proud of its work with Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, both in its capacity as COP26 Presidency, and also beyond this. The UK recognises that all States are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and that SIDS are some of the most vulnerable.

In this regard, the UK set up Climate & Development Ministerials to focus on priorities of climate vulnerable states. We co-lead with Fiji the Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance to improve access to climate finance for SIDS and climate vulnerable States. We have also created programmes like the SIDS Capacity and Resilience Programme and the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States facility. In addition, the UK was instrumental in securing agreements and funding to set up and develop the Santiago Network, to provide technical assistance for the implementation of approaches for averting, minimising and addressing loss and damage.

We welcome the ICJ considering the current obligations of all States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, and the legal consequences where states, by their acts or omissions, breach such obligations, causing significant harm. By looking at the obligations as they are today, the questions are clearly focused on assisting States in understanding these obligations under international law, so that they are able to comply with them in the future and understand the consequences if they breach them.

In particular, we are pleased to make the following four observations on the questions:

• First, they are not determinative of whether there are obligations or where they flow from.
• Second, they do not prejudge whether breaches have occurred, are occurring or will occur but look at the consequences if and when they do.
• Third, they are not limited to considering the obligations and legal consequences for any specific State or States; and
• Finally, they are not determinative of whether any States have been specially affected or injured.

The United Kingdom’s co-sponsorship of the resolution today is without prejudice both to its position on, and interpretation of, the obligations, instruments and concepts to which this resolution refers and to any submissions by His Majesty’s Government before the ICJ and other courts and tribunals. We also note that the first question is focused on the obligations relating specifically to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases.

Increasing climate action is a top priority for the United Kingdom. The IPCC says to keep 1.5 alive we need emissions to peak in 2025, to halve by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. We recognise the UNFCCC as the primary intergovernmental negotiating forum for climate action. An ICJ Advisory Opinion may help to refocus efforts to deliver on climate commitments in this critical decade, which would support the UNFCCC’s agenda.

We are pleased to co-sponsor this resolution today.

Thank you.

I thank SRSG Keita for her briefing today.

President, on the Council’s visit to DRC earlier this month, we saw first-hand the severity of the security crisis in eastern DRC, as well as the extremely difficult context in which MONUSCO is operating. We also saw some of the tragic human cost.

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by ongoing and intensifying violence, and deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern DRC. We strongly condemn the continuing advance of the UN-sanctioned M23 illegal armed group across North Kivu province. The resumption of violence has caused significant human suffering and displaced over 800,000 people since March 2022. We strongly condemn violence perpetrated by all other armed groups. All support to armed groups must stop, including external support to M23, and we call on all parties to exert any influence they have to deescalate the situation.

We welcome indications of M23 withdrawal and the handing over of locations to the EAC Regional Force, but any withdrawal must be complete and in line with the agreed process through the Luanda roadmap. Now is the time, as we heard from the Special Representative.

We reiterate our full support to regional diplomatic efforts, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes. The UK urges all parties to respect the commitments they have made under these processes.

This includes the withdrawal of M23, an end to all support to armed groups, and to stop the use of incendiary hate speech.

Regional and bilateral forces deployed in the DRC, including the East African Community Regional Force (EAF), Ugandan People’s Defence Force, Burundian National Defence Force, and the recently announced Angolan troop deployment must engage with each other substantively and with MONUSCO on de-confliction of operations to ensure the protection of civilians, the safety and security of peacekeepers and the effective implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate.

President, the UK fully supports MONUSCO, including its vital role in protecting civilians and facilitating humanitarian assistance. We commend the Mission and the SRSG for their work in challenging circumstances.

But MONUSCO cannot of course tackle this crisis alone. Effective cooperation by the Government of DRC with MONUSCO is vital to ensure the mission can implement its mandate, in particular the protection of civilians.

We encourage the Government to engage in a serious dialogue with MONUSCO to clarify how we might achieve a responsible, conditions-based reconfiguration of the UN presence in DRC. We look forward to receiving options for this in July. The Government must also do its work with MONUSCO on critical pillars of the peace process such as DDR and security sector reform.

President, we must come together as a Council to deliver a very simple message. The violence must stop to give dialogue a chance to succeed. This is the only way to build confidence and to provide a lasting resolution to the crisis in eastern DRC.