Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2025.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West MP visits Cambodia to advance shared interests and boost cooperation.

The UK and Cambodia are collaborating to advance climate initiatives and promote sustainable development.

This includes at Techo International Airport in Kandal Province, Cambodia, where British architecture has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to green airport design.

The airport, designed by British firm Foster + Partners, will be visited today (22 April 2025) by UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, who is in Cambodia this week to strengthen ties between the two nations and promote economic growth, climate resilience, and security cooperation.

The Minister will meet with H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and senior officials from Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Council for the Development of Cambodia. Their discussions will cover expanding trade opportunities, advancing climate initiatives, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing regional security.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, said:

My visit to Techo International Airport today is testament to the modern UK-Cambodia partnership. Innovative and green infrastructure fit for Cambodia’s future, designed by British business – an achievement that would have been unimaginable thirty years ago.

Our relationship goes far beyond just this one building – but we bring the same partnership approach to everything we do, whether increasing trade to create jobs, protect our climate and nature, or increase access to education.

Foster and Partners Associate Partner, Krzysztof Szymanski, said:

We are incredibly proud and deeply honoured to lead the design of Techo International Airport, a project that aspires to be one of the greenest airports in the world. This airport offers a transformative vision for Phnom Penh, drawing deeply from Cambodia’s rich heritage and responding thoughtfully to its tropical climate. By integrating the latest technology with local craftsmanship, we are committed to creating sustainable and efficient infrastructure.

This project not only creates a new gateway to the city and the country, enhancing Cambodia’s reputation on the global stage, but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable airport design. It is a privilege to contribute to such a significant endeavour that will shape the future of Cambodia’s capital.

Minister West is going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Strategic Infrastructure Development, demonstrating our commitment to partner to boost mutual economic growth, including support for the development of a Green Special Economic Zone.  Initiatives such as the Trade Partnerships programme and the Developing Countries Trading Scheme are also key to deepening ties and growth opportunities.

The Minister will meet the British Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia to discuss how UK businesses are taking advantage of these policies to expand cooperation with Cambodian partners in key sectors including education, infrastructure, and financial services.

Minister West will visit De Montfort University in Cambodia, the first UK university campus in the country, to discuss the UK’s role in addressing global environmental challenges, and highlighting how UK programmes, such as the Biodiverse Landscape Fund, are empowering local communities, including marginalised groups, to regenerate and conserve local environments and improve livelihoods.

The visit also addresses shared security concerns, including combating serious organised crime and human trafficking, addressing online fraud and scam centres, and future defence cooperation initiatives.

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

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

The UK is extremely concerned by the significant escalation of violence in Haiti.

Over 2,600 Haitians have been murdered over the past three months, including nearly 400 women and children.

We continue to hear horrifying accounts of sexual and gender-based violence targeting women, girls and boys.

One third of cases of sexual violence against children in Haiti in 2024 were gang rapes.

Through coordinated attacks on civilian communities, including the deliberate destruction of schools, churches and businesses, gangs continue to target the innocent and inflict horror on the people of Haiti.

Mr President, there are troubling reports of coordination between criminal gangs in order to destabilise Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council as they try to ensure security across the country.

We firmly reject all acts designed to destabilise Haiti.

The UK is committed to maintaining pressure via the implementation of sanctions on those who seek to destabilise Haiti, and we call for the full implementation of the UN sanctions regime and the arms embargo in Haiti.

The UK supports the efforts of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and all stakeholders to work towards a secure and stable Haiti.

But now is the time for even greater action to restore security and to allow for elections to enable a transfer of power to an elected successor in February 2026.

This includes an urgent need for the Haitian National Police, supported by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, to re-establish control over all areas of Port-au-Prince.

The UK thanks Kenya for its continued leadership of the MSS mission and pays tribute to those, both Kenyan and Haitian, who have lost their lives in the pursuit of restoring security for the Haitian people.

In light of the deteriorating security situation, it is clear that the MSS mission and the Haitian security forces need to be adequately supported to fulfil their mission.

This Council needs urgently to consider the recommendations of the Secretary General and agree how we can support the enhanced UN security support to Haiti.

Collectively, we must find a way to deliver stability and lasting peace for the people of Haiti.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

President I would like to make three points.

First, Libya’s economic trajectory is alarming.

With no unified budget and, as SRSG Tetteh said, no oversight, present levels of public spending by Libyan authorities risk rapidly diminishing the nation’s wealth.

Competition for state resources is putting Libya’s institutions under grave pressure, and risks fuelling renewed conflict.

Libya has the resources to build a prosperous future. But to achieve it, Libya’s leaders must put aside narrow interests and agree on a unified economic framework in the national interest.

We welcome the return of the World Bank to Tripoli to support this work.

Second, the UK is deeply concerned by the destabilising activities of Libyan security actors and armed groups.

This includes reports of unlawful and arbitrary detentions, kidnappings, imprisonment without due process and assassination attempts.

There needs to be accountability for such acts, to support civic space and trust in Libya’s law enforcement.

The recent closure of humanitarian organisations’ offices and detention of their employees is particularly troubling.

We urge Libyan authorities to work with international NGOs and resolve differences through dialogue.

Humanitarian organisations are an indispensable part of our collective efforts to support Libya, including to help address the Libyan authority’s concerns about illegal migration.

Third, Libya’s economic and security challenges underscore the urgent need for progress on the political track.

Libya needs a comprehensive, inclusive political process which will provide the foundation for sound economic governance, rule of law and accountability, and help tackle corruption.

The UK strongly supports UNSMIL’s efforts and commends SRSG Tetteh for her leadership.

A revitalised political process, flowing from the Advisory Committee’s deliberations, presents a real opportunity to chart a path towards the peace, stability and prosperity that the Libyan people deserve and yearn for, as I heard during my own visit to Libya and in more recent exchanges with young Libyans.

So we urge all Libyan actors to engage constructively with the UN’s efforts and the Advisory Committee’s recommendations.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2025.

Mr Christian Rogg has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Ghana in succession to Ms Harriet Thompson who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Rogg will take up his appointment during July 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Christian Stefan Rogg

Year	Role
2023 to present	FCDO, Director for Development and Open Societies
2021 to 2023	FCDO, Director for Development, Parliament, Coordination and Capability
2017 to 2021	Addis Ababa, Development Director
2015 to 2017	Kinshasa, Head of DFID
2012 to 2015	Abuja, Acting/Deputy Head of DFID
2009 to 2012	Hanoi, Acting/Deputy Head of DFID
2006 to 2009	Accra, Head of Governance and Growth Team, DFID
2003 to 2006	DFID, Head of Growth Team, Policy Division
2000 to 2003	DFID, Economic Adviser/Acting Team Leader, Private Sector Policy Department
2001	University of Oxford, Instructor, Department of Economics
1999 to 2000	DFID, Assistant Adviser, Business Partnerships Department
1999	University of Oxford, Researcher, Development Studies Centre
1998	Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, Assistant, Private Sector Department
1995 to 1997	PricewaterhouseCoopers, Washington, Consultant, Economics and Finance Division
1995	Senator Joe Lieberman’s Office, United States Senate, Legislative Intern
1994	SmithKline Beecham, Assistant to Director for Business Planning and Analysis
1993	Merrill Lynch, Frankfurt, Assistant to Financial Consultants
1990 to 1992	DG Bank, Frankfurt, Trainee

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2025.

Lord Khan underscored the UK’s commitment to minority groups on a 3-day visit to Islamabad, including on visits to Faisal Mosque and St Joseph’s Cathedral.

He highlighted the UK’s work to establish over 1,000 community-led village forums, where communities come together to provide support to the most marginalised. These forums provide early interventions to resolve tensions before they escalate.

During his visit, Lord Khan met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for Law and Human Rights Azam Tarar, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Government of Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora.

UK Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement, Lord Khan, said:

“This visit has been a wonderful reminder of the diversity across Pakistan, and the white in the flag representing religious minorities. Our close partnership is helping to keep both of our countries safe, tackling shared threats including climate change, serious crime and irregular migration.”

The Minister also spoke at the first Overseas Pakistanis Convention, an initiative by the Government of Pakistan to connect with overseas Pakistanis from nearly 60 countries. He reflected on his own personal deep connection with Pakistan, with heritage from Gujrat, and spoke about the importance of the 1.6 million Pakistani diaspora in the UK. He also noted the rich trading partnership, with over 200 British businesses operating in Pakistan.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

President, this month we commemorate 31 years since the genocide against the Tutsi.

During this time, we honour the memory of those who lost their lives, and recognise the remarkable resilience shown by the people of Rwanda.

I will make three points.

First, the United Kingdom remains deeply concerned at the situation in eastern DRC.

We regret that despite the unanimous adoption by this Council of resolution 2773 almost two months ago, it remains far from being implemented.

While the withdrawal of M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces from Walikale is a positive step, much more needs to be done.

We reiterate this Council’s call for the M23 to cease hostilities and withdraw from all controlled areas, and for the Rwandan Defence Forces to cease support for the M23 and withdraw from Congolese territory.

We call on the parties, in line with resolution 2773, to agree an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and to seriously engage with regional peace processes.

Second, the United Kingdom welcomes regional leadership towards a durable resolution of the conflict.

We welcome the nomination of President Gnassingbé of Togo as the African Union’s mediator for the peace process for eastern DRC.

We hope this will support coordination between regional and international efforts to deliver peace.

And we urge the parties to engage with his efforts and urgently implement the EAC-SADC roadmap to attain sustainable peace and security.

Third, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the scale of human suffering from the conflict in eastern DRC, as set out by our briefers, and its impact on the region.

More than one million people have been displaced since the start of the year.

We repeat our calls for all parties to respect international humanitarian and human rights law and to allow safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance by lake, road and through the reopening of key airports including Goma and Kavumu.

We also support greater UN and donor co-ordination to ensure assistance reaches those most in need.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2025.

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

I will make three points.

First, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned at recent political tensions and increased fighting across South Sudan between parties to the 2018 peace agreement and other opposition forces. This includes the ongoing conflict in Upper Nile State.

We are appalled by the attack on a UN helicopter in Nasir which resulted in the death of an UNMISS contractor.

The current escalation risks South Sudan’s hard-won peace.

A return to widespread conflict would devastate the country and have damaging consequences for the broader region, especially in the context of the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

The escalation of violence in the Upper Nile State has already caused dozens of civilian casualties and displaced at least 120,000 people.

So we urge the parties to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to civilian populations in Nasir and Ulang who are in need of emergency assistance and protection.

Second, we are concerned by the arrest and ongoing detention of First Vice President Machar.

This action undermines the core principles of the 2018 peace agreement.

Alongside the AU and other international partners, we call for this action to be reversed to enable both parties to return to dialogue.

We welcome efforts by regional partners, including the African Union and IGAD, to work with the South Sudanese leadership to de-escalate tensions.

And we call on South Sudan’s collective leadership to cease hostilities, release political detainees, including First Vice President Machar, and to engage seriously with regional mediation efforts.

Third, President, the recent instability is a reminder of the importance of UNMISS as a peace partner for South Sudan.

The United Kingdom commends UNMISS’ work to de-escalate tensions and protect civilians.

In this challenging context, their work to monitor human rights violations and support the provision of humanitarian assistance is critical.

And we call on the South Sudanese leadership to ensure the mission has freedom of movement, without political interference, so that it can effectively carry out its mandate from this Council.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2025.

Joint statement from the United Kingdom and France on Haiti.

The UK and France are concerned by reports of criminal gangs coordinating to further destabilise Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC). We reiterate our collective support for CARICOM and the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission in assisting the TPC and the Haitian National Police to tackle the gangs who continue to cause daily suffering to the Haitian people and in their efforts to bring about the stability required to restore democratic institutions and the rule of law in Haiti. We are committed to maintaining pressure on those who seek to destabilise Haiti via the implementation of sanctions, and we call on authorities to fully implement the sanctions regime in Haiti.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2025.

Lord Pickles attends meeting in The Hague to discuss progress and challenges relating to the restitution of Holocaust-era assets.

On 2 April, UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues Lord Pickles attended a meeting of the Special Envoys Network on Holocaust-era Restitution in The Hague. The meeting was hosted by the Netherlands’ National Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism, Eddo Verdoner, alongside the World Jewish Restitution Organisation and the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security.

The US Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Ellen Germain updated that 32 countries had now signed up to the Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art. She made a special plea to those countries who had signed the original Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art 25 years ago to sign up to the best practices document.

Lord Pickles made the point that no country is immune from restitution claims. He reported that the Tate Britain art museum was set to reunite the great-grandchildren of a Belgian Jewish art collector with a painting looted from his home by the Nazis.

The oil painting ‘Aeneas and his Family Fleeing Burning Troy’ by English painter Henry Gibbs was stolen from the home of Samuel Hartveld after he fled Antwerp with his wife in May 1940. The piece, dating from 1654, was one of hundreds of thousands the Nazis plundered from Jewish families during World War II.

Its restitution has been a slow process, often involving legal battles and complex international searches. The return of the painting will mark the latest triumph for a special panel set up by the UK Government to investigate such works that have ended up in Britain’s public collections.

The UK Spoliation Advisory Panel ruled the Aeneas painting was “looted as an act of racial persecution”, and has arranged for it to be returned to Hartveld’s heirs in the coming months.

Lord Pickles welcomed the success of the Special Envoys Network on Holocaust Era Restitution in developing the best practices document, and in firstly tackling restitution of movable property.

However, he acknowledged that there were still many Holocaust survivors and their families who had waited 80 years for justice and recognition of their loss of property.  He added that bureaucratic inertia had delayed the resolution of too many restitution claims for too long.

Lord Pickles reflected that in some countries, the regulations were so stringent that it was very difficult for survivors who no longer live in the country of their birth to receive any restitution. This is a particular obstacle for survivor communities living in the US and Israel, as well as those in the UK. He stressed that it was time to focus on getting individual property back to their rightful owners, before it is too late.

Lord Pickles said,

Eighty years after the Holocaust, we have undoubtedly made progress, but there is still so much more to be done, and so little time left to do it. Meetings like this are essential for moving from principles to action. We owe it to survivors, their families, and future generations to ensure that justice is not only promised but delivered.

On 3 April, the special envoys travelled to Amsterdam to visit the recently opened Dutch National Holocaust Museum. This is the first museum to tell the entire story of the persecution of the Jews in the Netherlands.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 April 2025.

The UK has announced new support to Sudan ahead of the Sudan conference which will bring together international representatives.

• the UK will commit further life-saving aid for over 650,000 people affected by the ongoing violence as Sudan faces the worst humanitarian crisis on record
• a one-day conference will unite foreign ministers and leading humanitarian leaders at a conference in London to mark the 2-year anniversary of the brutal conflict in Sudan
• international representatives will discuss how to achieve a peaceful end to the conflict and address the issues preventing aid reaching those most in need

Today (15 April) the UK will co-host a conference in London alongside the African Union, EU, France and Germany to mark the 2-year anniversary of the conflict in Sudan with attendees including major donors and multilateral institutions.

Bringing together foreign ministers from across the globe, the Foreign Secretary will step up international efforts to protect civilians and work towards an end to the conflict.

During a one-day conference, he will announce new life-saving aid to support over 650,000 Sudanese people. Alongside international counterparts, he will also identify steps to improve humanitarian access and find a long-term political solution.

Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis on record, with over 30 million people in desperate need of aid, over 12 million people are displaced, and famine is spreading throughout Sudan. Over 12 million women and girls are also at risk of gender-based violence.

The new £120 million funding announced today will deliver lifesaving food and nutrition supplies, including for vulnerable children and will provide emergency support to survivors of sexual violence.

The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

Two years is far too long – the brutal war in Sudan has devastated the lives of millions – and yet much of the world continues to look away.  We need to act now to stop the crisis from becoming an all-out catastrophe, ensuring aid gets to those who need it the most.

As I saw earlier this year on a visit to Chad’s border with Sudan, the warring parties have shown an appalling disregard for the civilian population of Sudan. This conference will bring together the international community to agree a pathway to end the suffering.

Instability must not spread – it drives migration from Sudan and the wider region, and a safe and stable Sudan is vital for our national security. The UK will not let Sudan be forgotten.

African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, HE Ambassador Bankole Adeoye said:

Achieving peace in Sudan depends on valuing every voice and everyone playing a role in building a prosperous Sudan. The African Union is committed to assisting all the people of Sudan build a brighter democratic future by working to silence the guns.

The ongoing conflict and instability risks spilling over into the wider region, driving Sudanese people away from their homes, with some taking dangerous onward journeys to the UK and Europe. Instability in Sudan also directly impacts the UK’s national security.

The UK wants to help tackle instability in Sudan and reduce the level of irregular migration from the region to Europe and the UK as part of its Plan for Change.

In January 2025, the Foreign Secretary visited the Chad-Sudan border at Adré to see first-hand the impact of the conflict on refugees.

Background

• countries and organisations attending the Sudan conference include the United Kingdom, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Canada, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Norway, Qatar, South Sudan, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, United States of America, alongside high-level Representatives including the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations (UN)
• on 17 November 2024, the Foreign Secretary announced a £113 million aid package, which will support over a million people affected by violence in Sudan
• the new £120 million funding announced today is for the 2025 to 2026 financial year and will deliver food including pulses, oils, salts and cereals
• the UK welcomes the 13 February decision to keep the critical Chad-Sudan Adré border crossing open for 3 more months. But the Sudanese Armed Forces must keep it open permanently, and without restrictions
• the parties to the conflict continue to obstruct the work of humanitarian agencies, through delaying visas for aid workers and limiting their movements throughout Sudan
• funding announced today aims to reach over 600,000 people including:
  • 670,000 people reached with food assistance for 3 months
  • 205,000 people reached through a cash-based response
  • 600,000 people reached through nutrition and water and sanitation