Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 May 2025.

Joint statement from the Panel co-chairs, Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama, Deputy Prime Minister, Federal Government of Somalia.

Joint statement:

“Today marks the first meeting of the High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings. And the beginning of our six-month mandate.

Nearly three-quarters of the world’s extreme poor live in fragile settings, where crises are lasting longer, forcing more people from their homes, and contributing to migration.

When floods, cyclones and droughts hit, when conflict breaks out, when economic shocks destroy livelihoods, social protection can provide a first line of defence, an effective locally led solution that enables the most vulnerable people to withstand, survive, recover from crisis and rebuild their lives at home. One that reduces the need for humanitarian response.

But despite its proven potential, it is often overlooked in the fragile and conflict-affected settings where it is needed most.

Over the next six months, the Panel will gather and review lessons from across sectors and regions – including through a forthcoming global public enquiry. As co-chairs, our goal is to come up with bold, practical recommendations that can drive meaningful change.”

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 May 2025.

The UK’s National Statement for the WHO’s World Health Assembly. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Vice President,

The UK is committed to supporting WHO and its critical leadership role across global health. Only the WHO has the mandate to set global standards in health.

Even amidst our current challenges, there is a clear opportunity for the WHO to emerge more focused, more agile and more effective. We therefore support the WHO’s vital work on its Transformation Agenda and are pleased to endorse the increase in Assessed Contributions.

Let me thank the DG and WHO staff for their critical work. And let me pay a particular tribute to the staff on the increasingly dangerous front line of health emergencies, from Kyiv to Khartoum, and from Kivu to Khan Younis.

This week’s adoption of the Pandemic Agreement is a truly historic milestone for which we have all worked so hard. We must remain just as committed to tackling Anti-Microbial Resistance, which is already directly responsible for over a million deaths annually.

Chair,

The quality of WHO’s scientific and technical expertise is fundamental to its effectiveness. We are proud in the UK to host 48 WHO Collaborating Centres. We call for Taiwan to have meaningful access to all relevant technical WHO meetings, and for it to be allowed to observe the WHA as it did from 2009 to 2016.

Vice President,

Stronger health systems are at the heart of delivering health services for all and we can – and must – learn from one another. In the UK, we are on the cusp of launching our 10-year health strategy.

We are committed to tackling non-communicable diseases, including the challenge of obesity, and creating a healthier, fairer food environment. We look forward to working together at the High-Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases.

Vice-President,

In the UK, we are proud to work as partners of the WHO and with our fellow Member States. Working together, we can, must, and will drive better health across the globe.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 May 2025.

The United Kingdom reaffirms commitment to the Kimberley Process and support for its tripartite framework following the 2025 Kimberley Process Intersessional.

The United Kingdom thanks the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for hosting the Kimberley Process Intersessional from 12 to 16 May.

A strength of the Kimberley Process is its tripartite nature, which brings together leading expert voices from governments, local communities and industry.

We reaffirm our commitment to listening to and championing the voice of the Civil Society Coalition in the Kimberley Process and look forward to their contributions to the ongoing review and reform cycle.

We are proud to be a founding member of the Kimberley Process and continue to support the Initiative’s efforts to address the evolving nature of conflicts.

We look forward in particular to continuing collaboration with all Kimberley Process Participants and Observers on broadening the definition of “conflict diamonds”. This will ensure that the Kimberley Process remains relevant to emerging challenges.

The Kimberley Process was designed to ensure that diamonds are not used to finance armed conflict. We regret that to date, the Process has not addressed the implications of Russia’s use of rough diamond revenue to fund their illegal war in Ukraine and will continue to press for this to be on its agenda.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 May 2025.

Mr Mark Bryson-Richardson MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt in succession to Mr Gareth Bayley OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Bryson-Richardson will take up his appointment during August 2025.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Mark Bryson-Richardson

Year	Role
2023 to 2025	FCDO, Foreign Secretary’s Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
2023 to 2025	Baghdad, His Majesty’s Ambassador
2019 to 2020	DFID, Director Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe
2014 to 2019	Stabilisation Unit, Director
2013 to 2014	Baghdad, Deputy Head of Mission
2013	Mogadishu, Deputy Head of Mission
2011 to 2012	FCO, Head of Libya Group and Middle East Operations
2008 to 2010	Kabul, Political Counsellor
2006 to 2008	FCO, Head of Middle East Peace Process Team
2006 to 2008	Khartoum, Deputy Head of Mission
2000 to 2002	FCO, Cairo, Full Time Arabic language training
1999 to 2000	FCO, European Union Department (Internal)
1999	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 May 2025.

Statement by Archie Young, UK Ambassador to the UN General Assembly, at the UN General Assembly meeting on Human Rights Abuses and Violations in North Korea.

I thank the briefers for their brave testimonies and tireless advocacy. It is essential that we continue to shine a light on the grave human rights situation in the DPRK, about which the UK remains deeply concerned.

Human rights abuses against North Koreans remain widespread and systematic. Those who perpetrate these abuses remain unaccountable.

The regime refuses to acknowledge or act on the 2014 Commission of Inquiry report, which illustrates the multiple human rights violations committed in DPRK.

And the DPRK has repeatedly rejected UN resolutions which set out the many concerns shared by the international community, including the operation of prison camps and forced labour, violations of freedom of religion or belief and women’s rights.

North Koreans are denied freedom of movement, and many workers are sent overseas, often into modern slavery.

We urge the DPRK to cease these practices without delay.

Those wishing to leave do so clandestinely, at huge personal risk. We call on all Members to respect the principle of non-refoulement and not return escapees to DPRK.

On 7 November last year, the UK issued several recommendations to the DPRK as part of the Universal Periodic Review process, including ratifying the UN Convention against Torture and to reform the judicial system to ensure respect for the right to a fair trial.

We are pleased that the DPRK engaged with the Universal Periodic Review in November and encourage them to implement recommendations.

We need DPRK to make real and lasting change for the people of the DPRK.

We have repeatedly made it clear that the primary cause of the DPRK’s humanitarian and food crisis is their continued development of their illegal weapons programme, representing multiple breaches of Security Council resolutions.

Indeed, we have heard clearly today also the links between the human rights situation in DPRK and their support for Russia in its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine in brazen disregard towards UN sanctions.

We condemn these and call on the DPRK to prioritise the well-being of the people in North Korea.

We strongly encourage the DPRK to grant access to the Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights in the DPRK and accept technical cooperation from UN human rights mechanisms, and to enable the return of UN agencies, to ensure help reaches those who are most vulnerable.

The UK continues to call on DPRK to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept offers of dialogue.

We believe diplomacy and negotiations are the best way to secure peace and stability and improve the lives of all North Koreans.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 May 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on maritime security.

The United Kingdom, like Greece, has a long maritime history and is deeply committed to global maritime security.

And global action is needed to tackle the growing threats we now face to our seas, our peoples and our shared prosperity.

That is why the United Kingdom is strongly committed to our partnership within NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, and with wider friends and partners, as a means to contribute to our collective security.

That includes working together with States across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to address threats wherever they occur.

Our Carrier Strike Group’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific is a sign of our commitment to work with our partners in a region of fundamental importance to global peace and prosperity.

In the Black Sea, we are supporting the protection of Ukraine’s maritime Black Sea corridor along with our partners.

We are also leading the Maritime Capability Coalition alongside Norway, supporting Ukraine’s defence of its sovereign waters.

That’s alongside efforts to confront the so-called shadow fleet operation.

In the Middle East, we have acted to prevent Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, including through Operation Prosperity Guardian with the United States and others.

Our European colleagues have joined these efforts through Operation ASPIDES.

We thank Greece for its leading role, including the hosting of the command from Larissa.

We also call for collective efforts to ensure that the arms embargo as set out in resolution 2216 is upheld, and to support Yemen’s Coast Guard.

We equally need to ensure the implementation of the arms embargo off the coast of Libya, and we call for the renewal of the mandate this month for Operation Irini.

More broadly, our partnership with Greece is an example of how cooperation can protect our countries from maritime threats, including illegal migration and drug smuggling.

Alongside this, we are delivering legal changes at home to tackle people-smuggling rings and starve them of income.

And the UK also remains strongly committed to upholding freedom of navigation and the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

President, in the face of such diverse threats, we must redouble our shared efforts, including by broadening collaboration on strategic challenges within the International Maritime Organisation, which the UK is proud to host.

And as we look to the future, we must strengthen our work together, both in this Council and through our bilateral partnerships, to secure our seas for future generations.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 May 2025.

UK sanctions individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as Foreign Secretary pauses free trade agreement negotiations with Israel.

• new sanctions target 3 individuals, 2 illegal settler outposts and 2 organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank
• today’s measures include financial restrictions and travel bans, including on high-profile extremist settler leader Daniella Weiss
• in a statement to the House, the Foreign Secretary is set to announce a formal pause of free trade agreement negotiations with Israel, effective immediately
• he will make clear the UK’s complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza, repeat UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally, and reiterate that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza

In response to the persistent cycle of serious violence undertaken by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, the Foreign Secretary has announced new sanctions today.

Today’s measures target 3 individuals, including prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss, as well as 2 illegal outposts and 2 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

These individuals and entities are now subject to measures including financial restrictions, travel bans, and director disqualifications, and will follow 18 other individuals, entities, and companies already sanctioned relating to serious violence against communities in the West Bank.

The measures follow a dramatic surge in settler violence in the West Bank, with the UN recording over 1,800 attacks by settlers against Palestinian communities since 1 January 2024.

In a statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary is also set to announce the formal pause of free trade agreement negotiations with Israel, effective immediately. While the UK government remains committed to the existing trade agreement in force, it is not possible to advance discussions on a new, upgraded FTA with a Netanyahu government that is pursuing egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.

His statement will address latest developments on the ground in Gaza, making clear the UK’s complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza, the threat of starvation for the Gazan population, and the UK’s condemnation of the Israeli government’s plans to drive Gazans from their homes into a corner of the Strip. The Foreign Secretary will also repeat UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally and reiterate that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza.

The new steps follow a joint statement issued by the Prime Minister along with the leaders of France and Canada, setting out their strong opposition to the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and to illegal settlements in the West Bank. They also made clear that if Israel does not cease this action, further action will be taken in response.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

I have seen for myself the consequences of settler violence. The fear of its victims. The impunity of its perpetrators.

The sanctioning of Daniella Weiss and others today demonstrates our determination to hold extremist settlers to account as Palestinian communities suffer violence and intimidation at the hands of extremist settlers.

The Israeli government has a responsibility to intervene and halt these aggressive actions. Their consistent failure to act is putting Palestinian communities and the two-state solution in peril.

The announcement comes as Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer summons Israel’s Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the expansion of military operations in Gaza.

Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said:

Today I will set out to Ambassador Hotovely the government’s opposition to the wholly disproportionate escalation of military activity in Gaza and emphasise that the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible. I will urge Israel to halt settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank.

Israel must abide by its obligations under International Humanitarian Law and ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza. The limited amount of aid entering is simply not enough.

We must get an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and a path to a two-state solution is the only way to ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Background

Individuals and entities sanctioned today:

• Daniella Weiss – has been involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Weiss is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification
• Harel Libi – owner of Libi Construction and Infrastructure. Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Libi is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification
• Zohar Sabah – has been involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Sabah is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification
• Coco’s Farm – is associated with a person who is or has been involved in activity which amounts to facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.  Coco’s Farm is now subject to an asset freeze
• Libi Construction and Infrastructure – has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts resulting in the forced displacement of Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, activities which cause the psychological suffering of Palestinians, and activities which often leads to violence perpetrated against Palestinians. Libi Construction and Infrastructure is now subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification
• Nachala – has been involved in facilitating, inciting, promoting and providing logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts and forced displacement of Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, activities which cause the psychological suffering of Palestinians, and which often lead to violence perpetrated against Palestinians. Nachala is now subject to an asset freeze
• Neria’s Farm – is associated with a person who is or has been involved in activity which amounts to facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neria’s Farm is now subject to an asset freeze

Definitions

• asset freeze: where an asset freeze applies, in summary, it is generally prohibited within the UK, and for UK persons outside the UK, to:
  1. Deal with funds or economic resources, owned, held or controlled by a designated person
  2. Make funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to, or for the benefit of, a designated person
  3. Engage in actions that, directly or indirectly, circumvent the financial sanctions prohibitions
• director disqualification sanctions: Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it will be an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a company or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a UK company
• travel ban: an individual subject to a travel ban will be an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, meaning that they must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 May 2025.

As President Putin ruthlessly intensifies his strikes against innocent Ukrainians, the UK is ramping up pressure with raft of 100 new sanctions.

• UK announces wide-ranging sanctions on Russia as Putin launches his biggest ever drone attack against Ukraine
• 100 sanctions targets across Russian military, energy, financial sectors and those conducting Putin’s information war against Ukraine
• UK and partners are also working to tighten the Oil Price Cap, further restricting critical oil revenues for Putin’s war machine

As President Putin ruthlessly intensifies his strikes against innocent Ukrainians, the UK is ramping up pressure with raft of 100 new sanctions.

The latest sanctions targets include entities supporting Russia’s military machine, energy exports and information war, as well as financial institutions helping to fund Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

On Saturday, Russia fired 273 drones at Ukrainian cities, the biggest drone onslaught of the war. A strike on a bus in Sumy killed 9 civilians.

Putin has so far not put in place the full, unconditional ceasefire that President Trump has called for, and which President Zelenskyy endorsed over 2 months ago.

The UK’s latest sanctions action comes as the EU prepares to announce its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, in a co-ordinated effort to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Today’s measures sanction the supply chains of deadly Russian weapons systems, including Iskander missiles.  This will protect Ukrainian lives, and our collective security by disrupting Russia’s military machine.

Putin has repeatedly fired Iskander missiles into crowded civilian areas with a callous disregard for life. He used these weapons during the strike against Sumy on 13 April that killed 34 civilians including children, some of them heading for Palm Sunday services.

UK and other Western sanctions are having a severe effect on Russia’s economy.  Russian GDP shrank in the first quarter of the year and the non-defence economy has been in recession for some time. Security and defence spending is now over 40% of the federal budget, and Putin has had to raise taxes and slash social spending in order to continue the war.

Every rouble by which we cut Kremlin revenues diminishes Putin’s ability to sow chaos, division and disorder across the world and protects the British people, increasing security and prosperity at home.

As the Prime Minister set out at the European Political Community summit on Friday, people in Ukraine and across the world have paid the price for Putin’s aggression and now he must pay the price for avoiding peace.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

Putin’s latest strikes once again show his true colours as a warmonger.

We urge him to agree a full, unconditional ceasefire right away so there can be talks on a just and lasting peace.

We have been clear that delaying peace efforts will only redouble our resolve to help Ukraine to defend itself and use our sanctions to restrict Putin’s war machine.

Today’s sanctions also target 14 more members of the Social Design Agency (SDA), which carries out Kremlin-funded information operations that are designed to undermine sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law in Ukraine and across the world.

The UK previously sanctioned the SDA and several of its leaders in 2024.  We are now targeting all levels of the organisation.

In addition, today’s measures will strike at the heart of Putin’s efforts to get around our sanctions and help block his failing attempts to reconnect to the international economy.

Today’s action targets 46 financial institutions that help Russian attempts to evade sanctions, as well as the St Petersburg Currency Exchange, and the Russian Deposit Insurance Agency which insures Russian banks. These new sanctions will further isolate the Russian economy and disrupt Russia’s revenue streams.

Finally, the UK will also sanction 18 more ships in the ‘shadow fleet’ carrying Russians oil, along with the fleet’s enablers. The Prime Minister announced 110 shadow fleet related sanctions ahead of his visit to Kyiv earlier this month.

Today’s targets include John Michael Ormerod, a British national who procured ships for Russia’s shadow fleet, and 2 Russian captains of shadow fleet tankers. This action imposes a personal cost on those who are supporting Russia’s trade in oil and is another step in the Foreign Secretary’s personal mission to constrain the Kremlin and a crucial part of the Plan for Change to ensure a secure Britain.

The UK is also working with partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap that limits the price that Russia can charge for its oil if transported using G7 services like insurance and shipping. We are reviewing the $60 crude price level, with a view to lowering the cap closer to the cost of production and hitting Putin where it hurts by striking at his oil revenues.

Background

The Full list of today’s targets can be found here

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 May 2025.

Joint statement on behalf of 27 humanitarian partners on aid to Gaza and the proposal for a new aid delivery model.

Joint statement:

“Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.

“Prior to the aid block, the UN and humanitarian NGOs delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel. These organisations subscribe to upholding humanitarian principles, operating independently, with neutrality, impartiality and humanity. They have the logistical capacity, expertise and operational coverage to deliver assistance across Gaza to those who need it most.

“Israel’s security cabinet has reportedly approved a new model for delivering aid into Gaza, which the UN and our humanitarian partners cannot support. They are clear that they will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles. Humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every warzone. The UN has raised concerns that the proposed model cannot deliver aid effectively, at the speed and scale required. It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives.  Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.

“As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity. We remain committed to meeting the acute needs we see in Gaza. We also reiterate our firm message that Hamas must immediately release all remaining hostages and allow humanitarian assistance to be distributed without interference. It is our firm conviction that an immediate return to a ceasefire and working towards the implementation of a two-state solution are the only way to bring peace and security to Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability for the whole region.”

This statement has been signed by:

• The Foreign Ministers of Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
• The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management and the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 May 2025.

This is Bell Ribeiro-Addy’s first official visit to Ghana since her appointment as Trade Envoy in January 2025 to strengthen UK-Ghana economic partnerships.

The British High Commission Accra is pleased to announce that Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Ghana, will undertake her first official visit to Ghana from 19 –22 May 2025. The four-day mission will include engagements in Accra and Kumasi, underscoring the UK’s commitment to deepening bilateral trade relations and fostering economic growth.

Appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January 2025, Ms. Ribeiro-Addy is part of the UK government’s global network of Trade Envoys, working to promote British trade interests in over 70 countries. Her visit to Ghana marks a significant milestone in her role and reflects the UK’s strategic focus on strengthening partnerships across Africa.

During her visit, Ms. Ribeiro-Addy will meet with a range of high-level stakeholders, including:

• Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Minister of Finance
• Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry
• Hon. Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, Deputy Minister of Education
• Senior government officials, traditional leaders, and academic representatives
• UK businesses operating in Ghana and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)

These discussions will focus on expanding trade and investment opportunities, enhancing economic cooperation, and identifying areas for mutual growth.

In Kumasi, Ms. Ribeiro-Addy will tour two major UK Export Finance (UKEF)-backed projects: the Kumasi Airport and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital maternity block. These initiatives highlight the UK’s ongoing support for infrastructure development in Ghana’s Ashanti Region.

She will also host a roundtable with the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, aimed at fostering collaboration on gender-inclusive economic development and leadership.

Ms. Ribeiro-Addy said:

I am honoured to represent the UK in Ghana and look forward to engaging with our Ghanaian partners. This visit is an important step in strengthening our trade relations and exploring new avenues for collaboration. I am confident that our discussions will pave the way for a brighter economic future for both our countries.

British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, added:

We are thrilled to welcome Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP to Ghana. Her visit reflects our shared commitment to building stronger international partnerships, promoting global trade, and realising a vision of inclusive prosperity.