Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

Statement by Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the Security Council meeting on ‘Russophobia’.

Thank you President.

Colleagues, Russophobia is one of the ever-growing list of excuses that Russia has come up with to justify its war in Ukraine.

The fact that they are inventing so many of these is itself a good indication that they know none of them stands up to full scrutiny.

Let me be clear, on behalf of the UK, and let me say it in Russian.

Мы не русофобы. Наоборот, у нас есть исторические отношения между нашими странами.

Мы вместе сражались в двух мировых войнах. Мы глубоко уважаем богатое культурное наследие России.

Я сам семь лет изучал русский язык, его историю и замечательную литературу.

[Translation: We do not suffer from Russophobia. We have a long history between our two countries. We fought together in two world wars. Across our country people respect and admire Russia’s rich cultural heritage.

[I myself spent seven years studying Russia’s language, its history and its remarkable literature.]

We do not want Russia to fail as a state, as the Russian delegation sometimes claims. Quite the opposite, in fact. We want Russia to be a stable and prosperous nation – just one that does not invade and try to annex its neighbours.

What Ukraine wants, what we all want, is peace in line with the UN Charter.

The problem in Ukraine today is not caused by Russophobia. It is caused by President Putin’s desire to annex a sovereign nation, in breach of the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

So when the Russian state complains about Russophobia, what they actually object to, very simply, is Ukraine’s determination that it should remain an independent nation: its refusal to bend to Russia’s will and to give Russia its land.

And in pursuit of Ukraine’s land, the Russian military has killed and injured many tens of thousands of Ukrainians, and displaced millions. There have been widespread reports of atrocities, with the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine recording more than 70,000 potential war crimes so far.

Hundreds of Ukrainian apartment buildings, train stations, hospitals and schools have been hit. Ukrainian cultural property has been looted and cultural heritage sites destroyed.

And more than that. To build domestic support for his war, Putin’s government is pushing out propaganda about Ukraine, to dehumanise the people it is killing, and to delegitimise the country it is invading. All while falsely claiming that Russia is somehow the victim.

In the run up to the invasion, President Putin called Ukraine an intolerable “anti-Russia” and declared that it was an “inalienable part of Russia’s own history, culture and spiritual space”.

We have since heard relentless false claims, including from President Putin, that the Ukrainian government are ‘neo-Nazis’. And from former President Dmitry Medvedev that Ukrainians are “scum and freaks”, “cockroaches” and “grunting pigs”.

The Russian government may believe that this propaganda will help to justify at home the lives of the tens of thousands of Russian soldiers who have been sacrificed.

But the consequences for innocent civilians, for Ukraine as a nation state, and for the rest of the world are catastrophic.

Colleagues, Russia is not under attack. There is only one aggressor here. So we must all tell the Russian government, very clearly, to turn off its war machine: to stop the invasion, to stop the killing, and to stop the propaganda.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a statement following reports that a missile has been launched by North Korea.

“North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 14 March are a breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Unlawful ballistic missile launches pose a threat to regional peace and stability.

“The UK will continue to call out violations of UNSCRs. We strongly urge North Korea to return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.”

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

Mr Stephen Conlon has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan in succession to Ms Lucia Wilde who will be transferring to another Civil Service appointment. Mr Conlon will take up his appointment during May 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Stephen Austin Conlon

Married to: Ruta Conlon (née Taraskeviciute)

Children: Two

Date	Role
2022 to present	Full Time Language Training (Russian)
2020 to 2022	Brussels, UK Mission to the EU, Head of European Parliament Team
2017 to 2020	United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union, Head of European Parliament Team
2014 to 2017	United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union, Food Safety and Veterinary Attaché
2009 to 2014	Vilnius, Deputy Head of Mission, Chargé d’Affaires and Her Majesty’s Consul
2004 to 2008	Helsinki, Director of UK Trade and Investment
2004	FCO, Desk Officer, EU Department (Internal), later Full Time Language Training (Finnish)
2003	Stockholm, Trade Attaché
2001 to 2003	FCO, Desk Officer for EU Environment & Food Safety, EU Department (Internal)
1997 to 2001	The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the World Economic Forum, Desk Officer, Economic Policy Department

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

At the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK delivered a statement on human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

Mr Edward Hobart CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates in succession to Mr Patrick Moody who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Hobart will take up his appointment during May 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Edward Andrew Beauchamp Hobart

Date	Role
2017 to 2023	FCDO, Director, Estates, Security and Network Directorate
2015 to 2017	FCO, Migration Envoy
2012 to 2015	Dubai, HM Consul General
2011 to 2012	Abu Dhabi, Deputy Head of Mission
2011	FCO, Head, Libya Unit, MENAD
2010	FCO, Acting Chief Information Officer
2007 to 2010	FCO, IT Programme Director, Information and Technology Directorate
2003 to 2007	Kuala Lumpur, Head, Political, Economic and Public Diplomacy Team
2000 to 2003	FCO, Head, Multimedia Unit, Public Services Directorate
1998 to 2000	FCO, Public Diplomacy Officer, Information Department
1995 to 1998	Havana, Third, later Second Secretary, Chancery
1993 to 1994	FCO, Assistant Desk Officer, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Africa Department (Southern)
1993	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

Four of South Africa’s most promising clean energy start-ups have been selected to pitch their products to investors from the City of London.

BSF Breeding, Everlectric, Hohm Energy and Wetility will showcase their innovative low-carbon energy solutions in London alongside other projects from Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan and Turkey.

The 4 projects from South Africa are contributing to building growth and reducing carbon emissions in a range of sectors including:

• farming
• transport
• sustainable housing

while helping South African consumers and businesses to find an alternative, reliable low-carbon energy supply in a cost-effective way.

Each of these 4 firms has received support through the UK government’s Climate Finance Accelerator programme, which works to develop a sustainable pipeline of investment-ready, low-carbon projects. The programme is part of the UK’s efforts to support climate action on a global scale, facilitating access to finance and helping governments achieve climate targets under the Paris Agreement.

The high-profile investor event, taking place from 13 to 16 March, will involve leading financiers and investors, project developers, climate finance experts, the private sector and UK government discussing the opportunities and challenges faced in securing and mobilising capital for low carbon initiatives at scale in emerging markets.

Each of the businesses attending will receive 2 days of technical advice and support from City of London investors before making a pitch on the last day. The event offers an opportunity to present their projects to global markets and access funding from investors to further grow their businesses.

British High Commissioner to South Africa Antony Phillipson said:

“BSF Breeding, Everlectric, Hohm Energy and Wetility showcase the best of South African innovation and expertise and I am delighted that they have been selected to attend such a high-profile event hosted by the Climate Finance Accelerator and the City of London. I wish them all the very best of luck as they present to potential investors, and I hope that the connections made at this event lead to direct investment into the projects and a tangible contribution to building green growth and climate security in South Africa.”

Over the last 2 years the CFA programme has supported nearly 100 innovative low-carbon projects around the world that have a total value of over US$ 2 billion, helping them to build proposals for investment.

In South Africa the programme has supported a total of 28 projects. A new round will be initiated in late spring, with the ambition that the programme is permanently embedded into the South African climate finance landscape. The CFA is implemented in South Africa by The National Business Initiative and GreenCape.

Business profiles

BSF Breeding

BSF Breeding provides black soldier fly larvae that can be grown by anybody and used to produce process organic waste (including human waste) and turn it into products such as protein additives in animal feed, offering an inexpensive, clean and sustainable food source for livestock. Black soldier fly can also be used to produce insect oil, biodiesel, and soil enhancer. Established in 2015, the BSF Breeding’s larvae are now shipped around the world from their HQ in Cape Town.

“We believe BSF protein is the most environmentally-friendly produced animal protein in the world, making use of organic by-products (waste) to feed the larvae with minimal CO2 emissions in our operations.’’ – Gerhard Gous, Commercial Director

Everlectric

Based in Pretoria, Everlectric offers electric vehicle packages for businesses made up of leading international electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and innovative finance solutions. Their all-inclusive service incorporates fuel and maintenance costs and makes it easier for businesses to transition from a petrol or diesel fleet of vehicles to an electric vehicle fleet.

“We are honoured to be selected by the UK Government’s prestigious CFA programme. We are excited to meet like-minded growth partners who can act as catalysts in our journey to lead the South African logistics industry’s transition to environmentally-responsible, operationally-efficient and commercially-attractive electric vehicles”- Ndia Magadagela, Co-founder and CEO

Hohm Energy

Johannesburg-based Hohm Energy is a solar rooftop marketplace that manages and streamlines solar installers, product suppliers and financiers to make going solar simple for homeowners and businesses.

“Hohm Energy is thrilled to be a part of the CFA programme and the support of the UK Government. Hohm Energy’s mission is to accelerate the uptake of solar rooftop PV through our innovative fin-tech lending solution. Our climate tech platform is paving the way towards a greener future, and I am excited to see the positive impact it will have on our country, especially during this period of our energy crisis.’’ – Tim Ohlsen, CEO

Wetility

Based in Johannesburg, Wetility is a smart energy provider that offers a battery-based system that stores solar energy, paired with a digital platform to allow customers to monitor their energy use. Wetility offers customers affordable monthly payments and a flexible financing model, making the move to solar more affordable.

“We at Wetility are excited to have been selected to attend the CFA event in London and continue our longstanding partnership with the CFA. By harnessing the power of the sun, Wetility is committed to providing energy independence to everyone, affordably, while reducing household CO2 emissions. We look forward to meeting the other teams and investors in London and building fruitful partnerships.’’ – Vincent Maposa, CEO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

During the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK delivered a statement on Freedom of Religion and Belief on 13 March 2023.

Thank you, Mr President.

We congratulate the Special Rapporteur on her appointment and welcome her initial report.

We welcome the collaboration between the Special Rapporteur and member states through her ex-officio membership of the Council of Experts of the growing International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance. We also value her discussions with the International Contact Group on FoRB.

The UK’s resolve to promote and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief has been strengthened by the injustices we see around the world including systemic discrimination directed against individuals on the basis of their religion or belief.

The UK government remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all. Last July we hosted the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief in London which was an important milestone. We are working hard to build on its momentum and turn words into action.

Special Rapporteur,

How best can international efforts of governments, civil society and faith and belief leaders be focussed and coordinated to effect concrete changes, including for those imprisoned on account of their faith or belief?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

Statement to the 102nd Session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons by Her Excellency Joanna Roper, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Mr Chair, Director-General, Colleagues,

The United Kingdom welcomes the publication of the OPCW’s latest report into chemical weapons use in Syria. The chlorine attack in Douma in April 2018 was a horrific attack, in which 43 men, women and children were killed and dozens more injured. The evidence assembled, considered and presented by the investigation team provides undeniable evidence of Syrian state responsibility. We pay tribute to the work of the OPCW’s investigation team.

International investigations have now definitively established Syrian regime responsibility for nine separate chemical weapons attacks. The decision to use chemical weapons against Syrian civilians in Douma came more than four years after Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Syrian regime’s deliberate decision to use chemical weapons represents an egregious violation of international law. Syria’s non-compliance with the Convention has been laid bare, yet again. Whilst Syria continues to deny the facts and attack the OPCW for doing its job, States Parties must continue to stand firm. We must demand the same standards from Syria as from every other member of this Organisation.

The Syrian regime has been enabled in its chemical weapons use by Russia, another State Party openly flouting its international obligations. On 4 March 2018, Russian state agents used a novichok nerve agent on the streets of Salisbury. One person died and others were injured as a result of that heinous attack. Two years later, another Novichok nerve agent was used in Russia to target Alexey Navalny. Russia’s desperate attempts to blame others have served only to compound their culpability.

The Russian state’s industrial levels of disinformation to try and distract from their violations of international law continue to this day. We remain very concerned that Russia’s baseless allegations of chemical weapons attacks in Ukraine could be used as a pretext for an escalation of their illegal and abhorrent violation of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. The Chemical Weapons Convention bans the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare and there would be serious consequences for any use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Mr Chair,

Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has wrought economic shocks and undermined food security in many of the most vulnerable regions of the world. The inflationary pressures facing us all are one facet of that. As the OPCW Secretariat prepares the next biennial budget proposal, difficult decisions will be needed on reprioritising and restructuring. The Organisation must continue to seek efficiencies and grasp new opportunities, such as the exciting launch of the Centre for Chemistry and Technology in May.

The preparatory process for the Review Conference in May is now well underway. The thematic discussions and many high-quality national papers have enriched the discussions and identified many areas of common agreement. As we resume deliberations after the Executive Council, we remain focused on forging agreement with all of those states determined to uphold the provisions of the Convention and ensure that chemical weapons use never goes unchallenged.

Thank you Mr Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

Bangladesh and UK signed an agreement for working together on climate action bilaterally and multilaterally to help deliver the outcomes of COP26 and COP27.

• The Governments of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are committing to address the global challenge of climate change, the impacts of which are becoming ever more severe at both national and international levels.
• Building on the long-standing and highly-valued relationship between our two countries, we resolve to demonstrate leadership and to enhance cooperation in climate action bilaterally and multilaterally, to help deliver the outcomes of COP26 and COP27.
• We will aim to build on the climate leadership demonstrated by the Bangladesh Presidency of the 58-member Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the UK’s Presidency of the COP26 at Glasgow. Bangladesh’s leadership at COP26 in coordinating and promoting the voices from the most climate vulnerable countries contributed to securing additional ambition from many of the big emitters. The UK Presidency successfully brokered the Glasgow Climate Pact, which will speed up the pace of action on mitigation, adaptation, finance and loss and damage. However, even with the action committed both during and before COP26, communities around the world will continue to feel the devastating impacts of a changing climate. All countries must continue with concerted and immediate efforts to deliver on all pledges made at COP26 and COP27.
• As part of UK’s global commitment to tackle climate change, new bilateral, regional and central programmes were announced at COP26 for Bangladesh. The programmes will contribute to build resilience, protect biodiversity, expand renewable energy, prevent pollution and better manage waste, while also supporting women’s leadership, increased access to climate finance, education and skills in Bangladesh.

MITIGATION

• We recognise the urgent need to take bold and comprehensive action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The UK and Bangladesh will continue to take actions in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We decide to submit ambitious and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions expanding emissions reductions targets as far as possible. We will work together to support implementation of the measures necessary to achieve these targets. And we will encourage all other countries to be as ambitious as they can be.
• Bangladesh commends the UK for its commitment to achieve a net-zero by 2050, and for being the first major economy to put this commitment into law. The UK has also committed that by 2040 all new cars sold will have zero emissions.
• The UK welcomes Bangladesh’s Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan that calls for strategic investments into low-carbon development initiatives and tackling frontline climate threats.  The UK appreciates the addition of Agriculture, Forestry and other Land use and waste management in Bangladesh’s updated NDC. The UK welcomes Bangladesh’s intention to increase the share of clean energy up to 40% of the total energy by 2041 and low carbon development pathway.
• We emphasise the importance of international cooperation and investment in achieving our mitigation targets. We also recognise the need to ensure this delivers wider benefits such as energy security and access to energy, poverty eradication, economic growth and job creations.

ADAPTATION

• We recognise that Bangladesh as a climate vulnerable country is facing multiple climate change impacts, including sea level rise, heat stress, drought and devastating natural disasters often causing displacement on a large scale.
• We look forward to working closely through the Dhaka office of the Global Center on Adaptation to develop and take integrated approaches to avert, minimise and address displacement related to the adverse impacts of climate change. The newly launched Global Hub on Locally Led Adaptation will help climate vulnerable communities throughout the South Asia region benefit from adaptation solutions developed and tested in Bangladesh, the UK, and other countries.
• Both countries have expertise to share, based on their own National Adaptation Plans, in developing the Global Goal on Adaptation. We look forward to working together to accelerate adaptation locally, nationally and globally.
• As signatories to the 75th UNGA Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, we reiterate our pledge to continue to develop and share expertise on nature-based solutions.  We are committed to combine efforts and expertise to scale up nature-based solutions domestically and internationally and demonstrate their cost-effectiveness to other countries. We decide to encourage greater public and private investments in nature-based solutions for adapting to and mitigating climate change. We are determined to implement the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use and to work together to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
• We reiterate our shared commitment to work closely in support of collaborative global coalitions including the Resilience and Adaptation Coalition and the Adaptation Action Coalition. We resolve to work with other UN members to show greater political ambition, and to support action on the ground.

LOSS AND DAMAGE

• We welcome the agreement at COP27 to establish new funding arrangements, including the setup of a dedicated fund, to respond to loss and damage from climate change.   We look forward to working to develop the detail of these new arrangements ahead of COP28, including through the UK’s role as a member of the transitional Committee.

FINANCE

• We recognise the crucial role of climate finance in accelerating the development and deployment of environmentally preferable and low carbon technologies. We will work together to encourage all global stakeholders to play their part in collectively meeting the $100 billion a year target, and in setting ambitious post-2020 financial commitments. We call upon multilateral development banks and development finance institutions to contribute to delivering climate finance goals, and to support a green, inclusive and resilient recovery from Covid-19.
• Bangladesh commends the UK for its doubling of international climate finance to £11.6 billion over 2021-2025, setting a clear benchmark for the international community. The UK commends Bangladesh for setting up the domestically resourced Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund financing nationwide adaptation and mitigation climate action projects.
• The Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance sets out to transform access to finance through a new, country-led approach. The UK, as co-lead, and Bangladesh as pioneer country, can play leading roles in ensuring more finance reaches more people on the frontline of climate change.
• We commit also to work domestically and internationally to enhance private finance for adaptation and mitigation, by creating an enabling environment to increase strategic investments in clean and renewable energy, and in protection of nature. We stress the need to work to increase access to climate finance by climatically vulnerable countries, secure greater funding for adaptation and to improve gender-responsiveness of climate finance.

COLLABORATION

• Bangladesh and the UK will exchange expertise, facilitate partnerships, and identify practical solutions to common climate challenges.
• The two countries will hold regular joint events and dialogues on climate action.  The events would be inclusive of all parts of society and focussed on scaling up action on the ground. We recognise the critical role of young people, and seek to meaningfully engage them in climate dialogue and action.
• We stress the need for realizing the opportunities of a clean energy transition and working with national and international institutions and investors towards that end. We decide to cooperate to expand renewable energy through detailed resource assessments for offshore renewables and by testing new technologies more suited to Bangladesh’s land constraints.
• We reaffirm the importance of global collaboration on research, development and capacity building to tackle climate change, and will strive to further collaboration in these areas.
• We express our resolve to continue to work together for sustainable ocean development under the Commonwealth Blue Charter and the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance. We reaffirm our shared commitment to tackle marine plastic pollution under the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance. We propose to also enhance protection of marine resources including by reducing land-based sources of pollution, supporting better management of solid waste, and restoring natural ecosystems.
• We firmly believe by taking the actions outlined above we can contribute to meeting our commitments under the Paris Agreement, and to improving the resilience of the most vulnerable people to climate change.

Signed on 12 March 2023 by

Honourable State Minister, H.E. Mr Md. Shahriar Alam, MP For the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Rt Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State (Indo-Pacific) For the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 March 2023.

Diplomatic missions met with Palestinian families under imminent threat of forced eviction from Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah and the Old City of Jerusalem today.

Representatives from Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom call on Israeli authorities to reverse the decisions on the intended evictions.

This month, six Palestinian families in Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah and the Old City of Jerusalem are facing imminent forced eviction and/or decisive hearings on eviction cases initiated by Israeli settler groups, placing more than 80 individuals under imminent threat of forced displacement.

The abovementioned representatives reiterate their strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy, which is illegal under international law, and actions taken in this context, including evictions, and call on Israeli authorities to reverse the decisions on the intended evictions.

Domestic laws do not exempt Israel, as the occupying power, from meeting its obligations to administer the occupied territory in a manner that provides for and protects the local population.

The continuation of Israel’s illegal settlement policy fuels tensions. In the context of escalating violence in the West Bank, it is particularly worrying that Israeli authorities plan to continue demolitions in East Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan.

Israel’s illegal settlement policy undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for a lasting peace in the region and seriously jeopardises the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.