Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The UK called this meeting alongside Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia in response to the alarming warnings that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worse than it has ever been.

So we are calling for three urgent things.

First, the UK calls on Israel to lift its block on aid.

The World Food Programme warned us over a week ago that they have no food left.

And IPC data released yesterday shows that the whole of Gaza is at the risk of famine.

Meanwhile, tonnes of food are currently sitting rotting at the border, blocked from reaching people who are starving.

This is cruel and it is inexcusable.

And it risks further deaths that should be avoidable.

Second, the UK will not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk.

We call on Israel to urgently engage with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles.

International law requires Israel to allow the rapid and unimpeded provision of humanitarian aid to all civilians.

Third, the UK reiterates our outrage at the killing of Palestinian Red Crescent workers and the strikes on a UNOPS compound in March.

We are disappointed that Israel has not yet released the final findings of its investigation into the UNOPS incident or taken concrete action to ensure these incidents can never happen again.

President, the release of Edan Alexander yesterday after 17 months of cruel Hamas captivity offers a rare moment of hope.

We must never forget the suffering of those hostages that remain in Gaza and those families awaiting the return of their loved ones’ remains.

It is ceasefire deals that have delivered the release of over 180 hostages and allowed a massive scale-up of aid for desperate Palestinians.

This shows what is possible with political will.

This is why we strongly oppose an expansion of this conflict, as do many hostages’ families.

And it is a ceasefire deal that now offers the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas’ control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Joint statement delivered by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.

We, the UK, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia, called for today’s urgent meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Gaza.

First, we first want to welcome the release of Edan Alexander yesterday and reiterate our call for all of the remaining hostages who have been cruelly held by Hamas for over 18 months to be released immediately.

Their suffering must end. The Security Council has been consistent and clear on this since the brutal terror attack on 7 October.

Hamas must have no future role in Gaza or be in a position to threaten Israel.

Israel has now fully blocked aid entering Gaza for over two months.

Blocking aid as a “pressure lever” is unacceptable.

And last week, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved plans to expand its military operations in Gaza.

We strongly oppose both these actions, which will add to Palestinian suffering, while doing nothing to serve the long-term interests of peace and security in the region, nor to secure the safe return of the hostages.

Any attempt by Israel to annex land in Gaza would be unacceptable and violate international law.

Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.

On the humanitarian situation, the World Food Programme have told us they already have no food left. Palestinian civilians, including children, face starvation as a result.

Just yesterday, the IPC released a report warning that Gaza’s entire population is already at critical risk of famine.

Without an urgent lifting of the aid block, more Palestinians are at risk of dying. Deaths that could easily be avoided.

Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool or a military tactic.

We are also deeply concerned at proposals to establish a new mechanism for the delivery of aid, which the UN has said would not meet humanitarian principles.

International law requires Israel to allow and facilitate the safe, rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid and ensure that basic services are provided for all Gazan civilians.

This applies to all armed conflicts around the world.

Gaza is not an exception.

We have two clear messages for the Government of Israel: lift the block on aid entering Gaza now and enable the UN and all humanitarians to save lives.

Any model for distributing humanitarian aid must be independent, impartial and neutral, and in line with international humanitarian law and principles.

We cannot support any model that places political or military objectives above the needs of civilians. Or that undermines the UN and other partners’ ability to operate independently.

We are also outraged by the killing of Palestinian Red Crescent workers and the hit on a UN compound on 19 March. Humanitarian aid workers and UN premises must be protected.

We call on Israel to complete and release the findings of its investigation into the UN compound incident and take concrete action to ensure this can never happen again.

At least 418 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began.

That is at least 418 too many.

We urge Israel to investigate all incidents transparently, to be clear on the steps taken to hold those responsible to account and reinstate an effective deconfliction system.

The only way to end the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis is for an immediate return to a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages, and to urgently advance efforts to achieve a two-state solution.

This is the only way to achieve long-term peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis, and we welcome France and Saudi Arabia’s leadership in chairing an international conference on the two-state solution here in New York in June.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Mr Kanbar Hossein-Bor has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji, non-resident British High Commissioner to the Republic of Kiribati and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in succession to Dr Brian Jones who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Hossein-Bor will take up his appointment during July 2025.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Kanbar Hossein-Bor

Year	Role
2021 to 2025	FCDO, Deputy Director Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Co-ordinator
2018 to 2020	Dhaka, Deputy High Commissioner
2015 to 2015	Monrovia, Chargé d’Affaires
2012 to 2015	FCO, Head, Libya Team
2009 to 2012	The Hague, Head of International Tribunals and UK Agent to the International Court of Justice
2006 to 2007	Baghdad, Legal Adviser and Head of Justice and Human Rights Section
2006 to 2009	FCO, Legal Directorate
2002 to 2005	Barrister, Private Practice

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Dame Melinda Simmons DCMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Poland in succession to Ms Anna Clunes CMG OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Dame Melinda will take up her appointment during August 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Melinda Veronica Simmons

Date	Role
2024 to present	Full time language training
2023 to 2024	University College London, Visiting Professor
2019 to 2023	Kyiv, His Majesty’s Ambassador
2016 to 2019	National Security Secretariat, Director, Joint Funds Unit
2013 to 2016	FCO, Deputy Director, Head of Conflict Department
2011 to 2013	DFID, Deputy Director, Head of Europe Department
2010 to 2011	DFID, Head of the Humanitarian Emergency Response Review
2009 to 2010	DFID, Deputy Director, Head of Middle East Department
2005 to 2008	Pretoria, Head of DFID Southern Africa
2002 to 2005	DFID, Deputy Head, Africa Policy Department
2000 to 2002	DFID, Head of Conflict Policy, Conflict Department
1998 to 2000	DFID, Team Leader, Russia Desk
1994 to 1998	International Alert, Public Affairs Officer
1990 to 1994	Primesight Intl, International Marketing Manager
1988 to 1990	The Register Group, International Marketing Officer and Associate Director

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 April 2025.

The Foreign Secretary will host Foreign Ministers of the Weimar+ group for critical talks on repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European security.

• Work continues at pace with the ‘Weimar+ group in London to ensure Europe is together responding to security challenges to protect our citizens
• Looking ahead to the UK-EU summit on 19 May, Foreign Secretary brings together European partners in pursuit of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine
• The meeting builds on wider UK-European collaboration, following European leaders including the Prime Minister meeting President Zelenskyy in Kyiv over the weekend

The Foreign Secretary will host Foreign Ministers of the Weimar+ group today (12 May 2025) at Lancaster House for critical talks on repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European security.

Representatives from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU will join Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London.  It follows a historic visit on Saturday by the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and Poland to Kyiv during which, alongside the US, they called for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for unfettered peace talks.

Hosted in the UK for the first time, today’s Weimar+ meeting is the sixth time these major European powers have come together in this format.

Ukraine’s rightful future is a just and lasting peace. Putin’s refusal to engage seriously in peace talks is forcing that future into improbability. This is a critical moment to secure the future of Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary will make clear at Weimar+ that Europe’s leaders must stand strong in our unwavering support for Ukraine’s right to peace and freedom.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:

We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent. The challenge we face today is not only about the future of Ukraine – it is existential for Europe as a whole.

I have brought our friends and partners to London to make clear that we must stand together, allied in our protection of sovereignty, of peace and of Ukraine.

A strong and secure Britain is a foundation of our Plan for Change. This cannot be achieved without standing up to Putin and strengthening our shared European security.

To further resist Putin’s attacks on Ukraine, the international order and peace, the Foreign Secretary is gathering Allies for discussions on both our joint efforts to strengthen European security and secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

This builds on a drumbeat of collaboration between the UK and the EU on defence and security. On top of Saturday’s meeting attended by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary on Friday joined European ministers in Lviv to announce the UK’s support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal, to hold those responsible for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to account. This followed the Foreign Secretary visiting Poland to join the Gymnich meeting, where he highlighted the need for a new, ambitious security relationship between the UK and Europe that will support economic growth, protect citizens, and support European collective security and defence. The Weimar+ is an important opportunity to continue driving forward these talks with EU member states.

The Weimar+ meeting comes days ahead of the UK-EU Summit (19 May), which will cover a range of UK-EU issues and look to foster a stable, positive and forward-looking relationship.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO is visiting Cambodia to see the positive impact of the UK’s Global Mine Action Programme in Cambodia.

FCDO Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO is visiting Cambodia this week to see the positive impact of the UK’s Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP) on communities in Cambodia.

During a field visit to HALO Trust operations at Kulen Mountain, Siem Reap province on 12 May 2025, Mr Hay saw first-hand the clearance operations and met with local beneficiaries whose communities have been made safer and more prosperous through the UK’s long-standing support for mine action.

Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO said:

Meeting with local communities in Kulen Mountain, I’ve seen how our Global Mine Action Programme is transforming lives across Cambodia. Fields once deadly with explosives are now productive farmland where children play safely.

The bravery of HALO Trust’s deminers is extraordinary – their meticulous work under challenging conditions is making Cambodia’s 2030 mine-free goal achievable. Our programme is delivering real results, having already cleared over 151 million square metres of contaminated land.

As one of Cambodia’s longest-established mine-action partners, we’ve seen clearly Cambodia’s evolution from recipient to partner -it is impressive to see Cambodia today sharing its deep expertise with demining operations worldwide, including Ukraine. This exemplifies the sustainable impact of our long-standing partnership.

The UK Global Mine Action Programme has cleared, confirmed safe and released over 151 million square metres of land in Cambodia since 2014. The programme has also delivered risk education to 481,440 people living in mine-affected communities. Since 1993, the UK has invested approximately £60 million in Cambodia’s demining efforts, helping to clear over 65,000 anti-personnel mines and benefiting more than 600,000 people. Under the current GMAP programme, operations will continue with existing funding of US $2.9million in 2025/2026.

The visit included strategic meetings with Senior Minister Ly Thuch, Vice President of Cambodia Mine Action Authority and Lieutenant Uch Vantha, Deputy Chief of Army of Royal Cambodia Army to enhance coordination on clearance priorities within the existing GMAP framework. These discussions focused on strengthening partnerships between HALO Trust and Cambodian authorities to maximise the impact of ongoing efforts.

The UK is also an effective advocate for innovative finance mechanisms that bring additional funding into the demining sector and transform post-conflict land into productive farmland. Since 2023, the UK has been supporting the $1.8 million (£1.395 million) Mine Action Development Impact Bond ‘Minefields to Rice Fields’, led by APOPO and its partners. The project successfully released over 7.6 million square meters of land in Preah Vihear Province, removing 445 anti-personnel mines and 184 explosive remnants of war, benefiting 2610 people.

The Mine fields to Rice fields project stands as a powerful example of how strategic demining and sustainable agriculture can work hand in hand to create lasting economic and social impact in post-conflict regions. FCDO and APOPO are currently looking for additional investors to sustain the project beyond 2026.

As one of the founding signatories to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, the UK continues as a leading partner in Cambodia’s journey toward becoming mine-free by 2030.

The demining sector has created thousands of jobs for Cambodians, including empowering women in both demining and management positions, and creating opportunities for staff with disabilities, including landmine victims.

Further information

• Charles Hay is a senior British diplomat.  He served as the UK’s High Commissioner to Malaysia from 2019 until 2023 and as the UK’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 2015 to 2018
• regional conflict and civil war left Cambodia with one of the highest densities of landmines in the world
• the UK has been a leading player in demining in Cambodia through bilateral interventions and the Global Mine Action Programme for more than 30 years
• the Global Mine Action Programme provided £2.2 million to support the work of MAG and HALO in Cambodia in FY24/25 and is providing a further £2.2 million in FY25/26.Through our partnership with Cambodia Mine Action Authority, we supported the Siem Reap Review conference – providing Wilton Park and financial support in November 2024
• under GMAP, HALO has delivered clearance, risk education and explosive ordnance disposal in western provinces including Battambang, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Palin, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Pursat, and Koh Kong
• HALO Trust’s headquarters in Siem Reap now serves as a global training hub, sharing Cambodia’s expertise with mine clearance operations worldwide

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom plus the EU High Representative, following their meeting in London.

We met in London on 12 May to discuss Russian aggression against Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security.

On Ukraine, we reiterated our solidarity with the Ukrainian people, our sympathy for the victims of recent attacks by Russia, and our full support for Ukraine’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

We welcomed US-led peace efforts and the prospect of further talks this week.  So far, Russia has not shown any serious intent to make progress.  It must do so without delay.  We joined Ukraine in calling for an immediate, full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

Any peace will only last if it is based on international law including the UN Charter and Ukraine is able to deter and defend against any future Russian attack.

We discussed how we would further step up European efforts to support Ukraine in its ongoing defence against Russia’s war of aggression.  Ukraine should be confident in its ability to continue to resist successfully Russian aggression with our support.

Strong Ukrainian armed forces will be vital.  We agreed to work with Ukraine on initiatives to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces, restock munitions and equipment, and further enhance industrial capacity.

We are committed to robust security guarantees for Ukraine.  This includes exploring the creation of a coalition of air, land and maritime reassurance forces that could help create confidence in any future peace and support the regeneration of Ukraine’s armed forces.  And we will work on new reconstruction and recovery commitments, including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on 10-11 July, to ensure that Ukraine’s future security is underpinned by a vibrant economy.

We agreed to pursue ambitious measures to reduce Russia’s ability to wage war by limiting Kremlin revenues, disrupting the shadow fleet, tightening the Oil Price Cap, and reducing our remaining imports of Russian energy.  We will keep Russian sovereign assets in our jurisdictions immobilised until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage caused.

On Euro-Atlantic security, we reaffirmed that NATO is the bedrock of our security and prosperity.  The Alliance has secured peace for over 75 years.  A strong, united NATO, based on a strong transatlantic bond, an ironclad commitment to defend each other, and fair burden-sharing, is essential to maintain this.

European countries must play a still greater role in assuring our own security.  We will further strengthen NATO and the contribution of European Allies by stepping up security and defence expenditure to meet the requirement to deter and defend across all domains in the Euro-Atlantic area.

We will use all feasible levers to strengthen our collective defence capability and production and reinforce Europe’s technological and industrial base. To that end, we will build on work in NATO, the EU and likeminded groups to achieve these goals.

An enhanced security and defence relationship between the UK and EU is key to improving the lives of our people and making our continent more safe and secure, as will enhanced cooperation between NATO and the EU on the basis of the three Joint Declarations, and greater co-operation with Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2025.

G7 foreign ministers gave a statement on India and Pakistan.

Joint statement:

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan. Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides.

We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome. We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

Mrs Sarah Hulton OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Palau in succession to Ms Laure Beaufils.  Mrs Hulton will take up her appointment during September 2025.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Sarah Anne Pascale Hulton

Year	Role
2024 to present	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Interim Director Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate
2024	FCDO, Deputy Director Human Resources
2023 to 2024	FCDO, Interim Director Geopolitics & Deputy Political Director
2019 to 2023	Colombo, British High Commissioner
2018 to 2019	FCO, Deputy Director Human Resources
2017 to 2018	FCO, Head of DPRK Department
2015 to 2017	FCO, Head of Pacific Department
2012 to 2015	Harare, Head of Political Section
2010 to 2010	FCO, Head of Conflict Prevention Team
2008 to 2010	FCO, Head of Weapons of Mass Destruction Controls
2005 to 2008	Manila, Second Secretary Political PPA
2004 to 2005	FCO, Full time language training, Tagalog
2003 to 2004	FCO, Counter Terrorism Desk Officer
2002 to 2003	FCO, Head of Child Abduction Unit, Consular Human Rights
2002	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

Mr Bilal Zahid has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic in succession to Mr Nigel Baker OBE MVO who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Zahid will take up his appointment during September 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Bilal Zahid

Date	Role
2024 to present	Full Time Language Training
2023 to 2024	Kyiv, Minister Counsellor
2022 to 2023	FCDO, Joint Head of Ukraine Campaign Unit
2020 to 2022	FCO, then FCDO, Additional Director, Eastern Europe and Central Asia
2016 to 2020	Northern Ireland Office, Deputy Director
2015 to 2016	Northern Ireland Office, Head of Political Section
2013 to 2015	Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs
2011 to 2013	Cabinet Office, Policy Adviser, National Security Secretariat
2009 to 2011	Northern Ireland Office, Fast Stream roles