Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 March 2025.

UK Statement at Australia’s World Trade Organization Trade Policy Review. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you very much Chair. Let me join others in offering a very warm welcome to the Acting First Assistant Secretary and his team here in Geneva and Ambassador Baxter. We are very grateful to Australia and to the WTO Secretariat for their reports, and to you Chair and to the Discussant for your insights.

Chair, it would have not escaped your notice that Australia is one of the closest allies and our relationship continues to go from strength to strength, underpinned by the strong security, trade and investment links, close personal ties – and of course our mutual passion for cricket, Kylie Minogue and indeed Neighbours. We are both members of the Commonwealth, the G20, the OECD, and, with thanks to Australia’s recent ratification of the UK’s accession, the CPTPP. We share a similar outlook, as reflected in the First Assistant Secretary’s comments this morning, driven by the pursuit of open, values-based democracy and a rules-based international system.

Bilateral Trade

We have a consistently strong economic relationship: bilateral trade worth £22 billion each year and mutual investment in excess of £800 billion. And our trade relations have been clearly furthered by the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which was referred to this morning. That deal eliminates tariffs on the vast majority of bilateral trade, makes it easier to travel between our two countries and guarantees an equal footing for many of our investors and services providers. Our work together on that FTA resulted in, as we look upon, as a modern and comprehensive trade agreement between our countries, which provides, we hope, a strong basis for our trade and bilateral relationship with Australia, and also to the growth of our relations in the future.

Chair, I would like to highlight the progress we have made through the Strategic Innovation Dialogue to highlight one of our successes, found in the world’s first Innovation Chapter in a Free Trade Agreement. Discussions focusing on key areas such as Future Health, Offshore Wind, Battery Manufacturing and the Interoperability of AI enabled goods, have been channelled through a joint-work programme, that brings together representatives from government, the private sector and academia to explore the impact of innovation on trade and trade policy.

And our shared values include our joint recognition of animals as sentient beings and the connection between improved welfare of farmed animals and sustainable food production systems. Together, we established a world-leading precedent for a standalone animal welfare chapter in a Free Trade Agreement, which sets out our commitment to sharing expertise, to improve practices, through an Animal Welfare Working Group.

And as part of that FTA, we have agreed to deepen cooperation to advance gender equality and the human rights of all women and girls, including through a strategic dialogue on gender equality. That marks, I believe, Australia’s first FTA to feature a dedicated chapter on gender equality, and that chapter complements provisions which advance gender equality throughout the Agreement in the chapters on Labour, SMEs, Digital and Financial Services.

As a Co-Chair of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, I would like to welcome and pay tribute to Australia’s role as a founding member of the IWG and their active engagement in that Group. And indeed Australia was amongst the five winners of our first International Prize on Gender Equality in Trade, with a programme which is having a transformative impact for advancing women’s economic empowerment across Southeast Asia. Thank you and congratulations for that.

Economic Security

Chair, our strong, allied collaboration extends to our shared priorities of upholding international rules and deterring hostile actions. We recently held a second UK-Australia Economic Security Dialogue, which champions our joint work on this matter, aiming to deepen our shared understanding of the current global economic security challenges and to share lessons on approaches and partnerships to strengthen our economic security and our bilateral partnership.

For us, for both of us, a rules-based international order and open global economy are fundamental; fundamental to our economic and national security and to our customers, our workers and our businesses so they can continue to enjoy the benefits of the multilateral trading system. International trade plays a central role in both our economies, with trade activity supporting one in four trade jobs I believe in Australia, and we applaud Australia’s focus on building economic resilience and challenging unfair trading practices to support global growth.

Climate Leadership

Chair, Australia’s increased ambition on climate policy over the last three years extends well beyond this organisation. We are delighted to endorse Australia’s bid to host COP31 in partnership with other Pacific Nations. And we welcome the Australian government’s Net Zero Plan, including increased investment in renewables and the phasing out of coal-powered electricity generation, and we look forward to sharing our knowledge on emerging sectors like offshore wind or carbon capture and storage.

Market Access Barriers

Chair, our bilateral trade discussions also continue in FTA subcommittees including our Professional Services Working Group and Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue. So let me take the opportunity to celebrate recent bilateral agreements for architects and auditors. We also welcome Australia’s willingness to engage on mutual recognition of professional qualifications, to ensure successes such as these continue. Going forward, we would like to hear more from Australia on its ongoing priorities and approaches, including the efforts at State level.

We also support Australia’s ongoing tax reforms which focus on prosperity, productivity and fairness, goals shared by my government. Regarding taxes, in the continued absence of a specific and satisfactory policy rationale, we would like to reiterate our concerns about domestic taxes which disproportionately affect imports, such as the Luxury Car Tax and Alcohol Excise Duty. We would like to hope Australians are able to treat themselves to Scotch Whisky and drive our luxury cars… but perhaps not at the same time.

WTO

Chair, the close ties between our two countries extend of course to this organisation where we work so closely alongside each other and share so many policy objectives. We work together, along with many developing and developed Members, to ensure the sustainability of fishing stocks and to enable the potential of trade in green goods and services.

Australia has, as similarly many others have said this morning, demonstrated its commitment to this organisation and the system by consistently pushing forward concrete outcomes for businesses, for workers and consumers, as is evident in their enthusiastic leadership and participation in the WTO Joint Initiatives. Their efforts as co-convenors of the negotiations on the E-commerce Agreement highlight that and I think led to a large part of the successful stabilisation of that Agreement back in July last year.

Australia’s strong ambitions on climate policy are showcased by the commitment to discussing Trade and Environment in this organisation. Their ambitions are underpinned by the efforts to foster dialogue on such issues in their co-coordinator role in the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution.

As the Chair of the Cairns Group, Australia has been a loud, constructive voice in agriculture negotiations in this house, helping discussions progress, including through the Cairns and Africa Group informal discussions. While the UK and Australia don’t always agree on preferred outcomes in that area, our strong bond and shared focus on finding solutions brings us together when needed.

Conclusion

Chair, let me conclude by discussing how the relationship between Australia and the UK goes from strength to strength, and let me conclude on that same note. Our relationship has strengthened enormously in the past few years, and we admire Australia’s leadership in this organisation, its commitment to Net Zero, and its views on free and open trade. We continue to host a large, extraordinary number of each other’s citizens, enriching both our countries with vibrant exchanges, cherished memories, and of course Tim Tams and Penguins. And, as we look forward to the oldest and greatest rivalry in the sporting world, the Ashes, we can say, with utter confidence, let the best team win. Which of course will be England.

Thank you, Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on cooperation with the EU.

The United Kingdom welcomes the EU’s ongoing commitment to championing multilateralism, tackling global challenges and assisting the Security Council’s work.

With multiple global crises threatening the foundations of international peace and security, cooperation between the EU and UN is more important now than ever.

Nowhere is this truer than in Ukraine.

Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion, the EU continues its critical role in supporting Ukraine and countering Russian aggression.

This includes its enhanced level of economic, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine, and willingness to further contribute to security guarantees.

The UK will continue to work closely with the EU to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that secures its sovereignty and security.

In the Western Balkans, the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue plays a vital role in normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo, and EUFOR ALTHEA continues to help provide stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The UK continues to support the region’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations as a driver for reform and economic growth.

Beyond Europe, the UK welcomes the EU’s commitment to stabilisation in the Middle East, including its efforts toward securing a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace.

EUBAM Rafah is a vital third-party presence, allowing individuals to access urgent medical care.

The EU is also helping support an inclusive political transition and economic recovery in Syria, and we welcome its recent sanctions suspensions to this end.

The EU is a valued partner for UN efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. We are pleased it is among the co-hosts of April’s Foreign Minister-level discussions in London, which will foster consensus on ending the conflict and improving humanitarian access.

We also welcome the EU’s commitment of €60 million in new humanitarian aid in response to the recent eruption of conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

President, the UK looks forward to continuing to build on the UN’s ambitious and cooperative relationship with the EU to promote responsible multilateralism and to act as a force for good in the world.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2025.

On Tuesday 11 March, UK Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, chaired a roundtable with Nordic and Baltic counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine, security in Northern Europe, and tackling hybrid threats.

On Tuesday 11 March, Ministers, State Secretaries and senior representatives from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom met in the margins of the Aurora Forum at Goodwood House, Chichester.

UK Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, chaired a roundtable with Nordic Baltic counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine, security in Northern Europe, and tackling hybrid threats.

Ministers agreed on the need to continue supporting Ukraine to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace with credible security guarantees, and the importance of putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position. They agreed that this would be achieved by increasing military support to Ukraine and, as part of this effort, they will leverage their defence industries while also purchasing directly from Ukraine’s defence industry to meet urgent needs and strengthen cooperation between European and Ukrainian industries. They also discussed the need to encourage other countries to do more. Ministers underscored that maintaining Western unity is essential and that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine.

Ministers discussed the significant and direct threat from Russia against NATO, with emphasis on continuing efforts to contest and constrain Russian aggression and the Russian war economy, including ambitious sanctions and wider efforts to constrain Russia’s energy revenues. They praised the work of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and NATO in monitoring suspected shadow vessels through, among others, Operation Nordic Warden. Ministers underlined the need to hold Russia accountable and advance our global outreach to continue its international isolation.

Ministers discussed recent instances of subsea infrastructure damage in the Baltic Sea Region and welcomed NATO’s Baltic Sentry activity, providing reassurance to Baltic states. They also discussed hybrid incidents in the region, and welcomed work, including by NATO, to build resilience to deter and counter hybrid threats, including on cyber, and in addressing foreign information manipulation. Ministers also discussed external threats to the wider European region.

The Aurora Forum is an independent annual forum established to bring together governments, businesses and civil society from the UK and Nordic-Baltic states. Today’s roundtable marks the first time Ministers, State Secretaries and senior representatives have gathered in this format to discuss shared priorities, including Northern European security, trade, technology and the energy transition.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2025.

UK Foreign Office Minister for Indo-Pacific Catherine West is in Malaysia for a 2-day visit.

The UK and Malaysia will step up co-operation to drive economic growth through trade and investment in key sectors.

Kicking off her visit today (10 March), the UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West MP will witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a semiconductor partnership between a British and Malaysian company, advancing an already strong relationship between the UK and Malaysia in the technology sector.

Her visit comes 3 months after the UK joined Malaysia in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making it the first UK-Malaysia free trade agreement. By cutting tariffs and reducing other market access barriers, this will boost an already strong trading relationship worth over £5.7 billion annually and reinforce 2-way flows of investment.

During her 2-day visit to Malaysia, the Minister will hold bilateral talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad bin Haji Alamin. Alongside a strong message on mutual economic growth and the green transition, the Minister will reiterate the UK’s support for Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN and our commitment together on shared challenges from global health to international peace and security.

Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West said:

Three months since the UK joined Malaysia in the CPTPP, eliminating tariffs and facilitating business partnerships, this is a moment of opportunity to deepen our economic links and advance our shared interest in sustainable and inclusive growth.

Technology is one of the sectors we can and must develop together. I’m here in Malaysia to support that.

To achieve economic growth we must have strong and stable foundations. That is why we will continue to work with Malaysia on our shared priorities around regional security issues, global health and the climate crisis.

The UK will remain an active, committed Dialogue Partner to ASEAN – supporting ASEAN centrality and Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

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

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

Let me begin by commending UNAMA for their invaluable work supporting the people of Afghanistan.

This is remains vital whilst Afghans – especially women and girls – continue to suffer under a series of oppressive restrictions.

At the time, members of the Taliban claimed that the March 2022 ban on secondary education for girls was temporary.

Almost three years on, girls in Afghanistan continue to be denied their right to education.

On the opening day of the Commission on the Status of Women, the United Kingdom joins others in unequivocally condemning this ban and all others which restrict Afghan women and girls’ rights and fundamental freedoms.

We strongly urge their immediate reversal, and we support greater accountability efforts, including the referral of Afghanistan to the International Court of Justice for violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

President, the Taliban face a choice – if they want to be integrated into the international community then they must adhere to their international obligations including on human rights, political inclusion, and counter terrorism.

This is clearly laid out in the Special Coordinator’s Independent Assessment and Security Council resolution 2721 (2023).

The UK, with other members of the international community, has engaged constructively with the UN-led process, including through the Doha meetings and working groups on counternarcotics and the private sector.

But continued engagement is not guaranteed without reciprocity and commitment from the Taliban in return.

We welcome the continued efforts of UNAMA and the UN’s good offices towards this end and encourage further dialogue between all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and in support of the people of Afghanistan, especially its women and girls.

Thank you.

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

The FCDO has released a statement following ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 10 March.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

DPRK’s ballistic missile launches on 10 March are another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK strongly urges the DPRK to stop such provocations and return to dialogue.

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

UK Statement for the Annual Interactive Debate on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Delivered at the 58th HRC in Geneva.

Thank you Mr Vice President.

The United Kingdom thanks the panellists for their contributions to this important discussion.

We recognise the transformative impact that digital and assistive technology can have for people with disabilities.

Two and a half billion people globally need to use at least one type of assistive technology, but in low-income countries only 10% of people have access to what they need.

We note the report’s recommendations on building strong partnerships. The UK’s AT2030 programme will soon launch the Assistive Technology Growth Fund, an ambitious pathway for high-potential assistive technology, bringing together traditional donors and private capital.

We would also like to thank the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities for their report on the Beijing Declaration and women and girls with disabilities. When women, girls, and other marginalised groups are empowered, they lift up whole families, communities and economies.

Through our partnerships with grassroots women’s rights organisations, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and our engagement in multilateral fora, the United Kingdom will continue to empower and champion the rights of all women and girls, amplifying the voices and agency of women and girls with disabilities.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2025.

Harriet Harman to champion gender equality worldwide as new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls.

• Harriet Harman announced as new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls
• appointment underlines the UK’s ongoing commitment to empowering women and girls around the world
• new role will help champion gender equality worldwide and help deliver global economic growth as part of UK government’s Plan for Change

The Foreign Secretary has today appointed Harriet Harman as the new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls. She will begin her appointment on International Women’s Day (Saturday 8 March 2025).

For International Women’s Day 2025, this government is accelerating action to change women’s lives. This plan is built on the foundations of our Plan for Change for this country to have a strong economy.

Creating opportunities for working women runs through the milestones of this government: from breaking down the barriers to opportunity which have held women back, making our streets safer, to rebuilding our public services and delivering growth that can be felt across every part of the country.

The government is supporting stability overseas to help deliver these milestones. In her role as envoy, Harriet Harman will coordinate efforts across the globe to ensure women and girls are empowered and have their rights protected, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, access to education, and freedom from gender-based violence.

Throughout her career, Harriet Harman has been a vocal advocate for women and girls, including on issues such as women’s political representation, maternity rights, and tackling violence against women and girls.

In her previous role as Solicitor General, Harriet led a successful drive within government to make tackling domestic violence a priority. The campaign led to the introduction of a new law – the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act – to ensure more effective prosecutions for domestic violence and a new network of 60 specialist domestic violence courts.

Harriet’s appointment underlines the UK’s ongoing commitment to empowering women and girls in the UK and around the world.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

I am delighted to appoint Harriet Harman as the new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls.

Accelerating action on equality for women and girls is vital to delivering the global economic growth we need and, a safer, more secure world.

Harriet has spent her career championing women’s rights and gender equality. Her record of achievement and personal commitment make her a formidable advocate for the rights and empowerment of women and girls around the world.

Minister for International Development Baroness Chapman said:

Harriet Harman is a legend on women’s rights and is rightly regarded as a pioneer and an inspiration to women in the UK and across the world, including me. I am thrilled she has been appointed Special Envoy, and I look forward to working with her on protecting hard-won rights and creating more opportunities for women.

Special Envoy for Women and Girls Harriet Harman said:

Over the last decades we have made tremendous strides towards ending women’s inequality. But the job is far from done. Women and girls are still not equal, and many still face oppression, violence and discrimination.

It’s a great honour to have been appointed UK Special Envoy For Women and Girls and look forward to driving this important work.

The UK will, in coalition with women around the world, play a key role in standing up for the rights of all women and girls at a critical time.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2025.

Foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the UK gave a joint statement welcoming the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.

Joint statement:

We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom welcome the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza. Recovery and reconstruction efforts must be based upon a solid political and security framework acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, which provides long term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are clear that Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more. We explicitly support the central role for the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda.

We commend the serious efforts of all involved stakeholders and appreciate the important signal the Arab states have sent by jointly developing this recovery and reconstruction plan. We are committed to working with the Arab initiative, the Palestinians and Israel to address those issues together, including security and governance. We urge all parties to build on the plan’s merits as a starting point.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 March 2025.

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

The last time this Council met to discuss chemical weapons in Syria, Bashar al-Assad was still in power.

Two days later, he fled and his brutal regime was overthrown.

The fall of Assad marks a new chapter for Syria and presents a golden opportunity to destroy his remaining chemical weapons programme, verified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

However, the situation in Syria is fragile and we must make sure we seize this window of opportunity to remove the threat posed by these weapons once and for all.

The UK is concerned about recent clashes in Syria, which must not be allowed to escalate into wider violence. We urge all parties to refrain from further violence and exercise restraint at this critical time.

The OPCW Director-General’s visit to Damascus on 8 February was an important step forward.

And we are greatly encouraged by the commitments already made by the Syrian interim authorities to fully cooperate with the OPCW and to secure chemical weapons sites.

The attendance of Syria’s interim Foreign Minister, at the OPCW’s Executive Council this week was a very significant moment.

We welcome his renewed commitments on chemical weapons, including to “put an end to this painful legacy and ensure Syria becomes a nation aligned with international norms.”

The next step is to support Syria to meet its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, including to declare and destroy remaining chemical weapons stockpiles working with the OPCW.

The OPCW Director-General set out the scale of the challenge ahead to the OPCW’s Executive Council this week.

And this Council has an important role to play in supporting the OPCW’s work.

First, we underscore the importance of implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention alongside the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2118.

Second, the international community must provide the financial and technical assistance to the OPCW that it needs.

The UK has committed more than $1m to the OPCW Syria Missions since the fall of Assad to support their immediate work.

Finally, as Syria’s interim authorities seek to bring stability to the country and address security threats, it is vital that Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.

This is why we urge Israel to de-escalate their actions in Syria.

Such military action risks destabilising an already fragile security situation.

We call on all parties to provide the safe conditions for the OPCW to conduct its work.

Madam President, with political will from the new authorities in Syria and this Council, there is an opportunity to deal with this issue once and for all, and to finally achieve the total elimination of chemical weapons in Syria.

We must take that opportunity.