Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 June 2025.

Ambassador Holland calls out Russia’s latest tactics to frustrate efforts to end its war in Ukraine while trying to convince the world it is serious about peace. He confirms that the Kremlin’s delay tactics will only redouble the UK’s resolve to support Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace.

Thank you, Mister Chair.  The UK welcomes the second round of bilateral negotiations that took place earlier this week in Istanbul.  We thank Türkiye for again hosting the discussions and the United States for creating the momentum that got everybody to this point.  The agreement to a further large-scale prisoner exchange and the return of fallen soldiers is a further step towards building confidence.

We regret, however, that Russia limited the progress that could be made at Monday’s talks by refusing to send, in advance, the memorandum setting out its position on ending this illegal war.  The memorandum, when it arrived, revealed no movement away from the maximalist terms that we have all heard before.  We also regret that the Kremlin continues to reject a complete, unconditional and immediate 30-day ceasefire.

This is consistent with the tactics that Russia has employed for weeks over peace talks: to draw out the process and refuse to engage in a meaningful way; all while trying to convince the world that it is serious about peace.  We see it in this Council and at the United Nations where Russia makes nonsensical claims.  Among these is the allegation that those who materially support Ukraine’s sovereign right to defend itself from unprovoked aggression, are undermining peace efforts.

Nobody in this room is fooled; we know who started this war, and we know who is resisting efforts to end it.  The UK is committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.  Delay tactics from the Kremlin will only redouble our resolve to help Ukraine defend itself and to use our sanctions to restrict Russia’s war machine.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 June 2025.

Mrs Martine Sobey has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Lesotho in succession to Mr Harry MacDonald who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mrs Sobey will take up her appointment during September 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Martine Sunshine Sobey

Year	Role
2023 to present	Abuja, Climate Change and Nature Team Lead
2022 to 2023	BEIS-FCDO, Team Leader, Joint International Forests Unit
2021 to 2022	BEIS, Team Leader Forests, Land Use and Carbon Markets
2019 to 2020	BEIS, Bilateral Partnerships Lead, International Climate Finance
2019	Joined Civil Service
2017 to 2019	Rockefeller Foundation, Senior Manager – Africa Region
2009 to 2017	Environment, climate and international development consulting roles
2008 to 2009	King’s College London, Masters in Climate Change, Environment and Globalisation

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 June 2025.

UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says that a sustained ceasefire is the quickest route to stop the killing. The UK supports ending the war in Ukraine through a just peace, while Russia obstructs progress.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Last week, we discussed the Code of Conduct, including its stipulation that “In the event of armed conflict, they will seek to facilitate the effective cessation of hostilities and seek to create conditions favourable to the political solution of the conflict”.

To that end, the UK shares President Trump’s desire to bring this war to an end, and will continue to work closely with the US, Ukraine and other international partners to secure a just and lasting peace.  We thank Türkiye for hosting talks in Istanbul, including earlier this week. This is a once in a generation moment for the collective security of our continent. Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty will deter President Putin from further aggression in the future.

As we have noted each week, Ukraine continues to show its commitment to peace: Its constructive engagement with US peace efforts at every turn; agreement in principle to a full and unconditional ceasefire; sending a senior and empowered delegation to Istanbul; and President Zelenskyy’s readiness to meet President Putin face to face.

Russia, on the other hand, has taken steps to obstruct the pathway to peace.  President Putin continues to reject a complete, unconditional and immediate 30-day ceasefire that President Zelenskyy endorsed nearly three months ago; refused to share his memorandum on terms for ending this illegal war in advance of Monday’s meeting; and rejected President Zelenskyy’s call for a direct meeting.

We continue to call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional ceasefire to create the space for negotiations on a framework for a lasting peace.  A sustained ceasefire is the quickest route to stop the killing. Ukraine’s security is our security. UK support for Ukraine remains iron-clad, and our support will be sustained. Thank you, Madame Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, following the vote on the E10 draft UN Security Council resolution on Gaza.

The United Kingdom voted in favour of this resolution today because the intolerable situation in Gaza needs to end.

We are determined to see an end to this war, secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas and alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation for Palestinians in Gaza.

This Israeli Government’s decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict aid are unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive, and the UK completely opposes them.

The Israeli Government says it has opened up aid access with its new system.

But Palestinians, desperate to feed their families, have been killed as they try to reach the very few aid sites that have been permitted by Israel.

This is inhumane.

We support the UN’s call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable.

Israel needs to end its restrictions on aid now: let the UN and humanitarians do their job to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.

President, we regret that the Council was unable to reach consensus today, but we remain committed to the vision of this text.

We will continue to strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

A ceasefire is the best way to secure the release of all remaining hostages and achieve a long-term political solution.

And we repeat our condemnation of the heinous attack by Hamas on 7th October and demand that it release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally. Hamas can have no role in the future governance of Gaza.

A two-state solution is the only way to bring the long-lasting peace, stability and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve.

We welcome France and Saudi Arabia’s leadership in chairing an international conference later this month.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

The UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) backs sustainable farming and eco-tourism in Zambia to cut emissions and create jobs.

Since 2018, the UK has been supporting the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscapes Project (ZIFL Programme) to support rural communities in the Eastern Province of Zambia, one of the poorest regions of Africa.

In June 2024, Zambia signed an ERPA (Emission Reductions Purchase Agreements). This agreement will ensure local people receive payments in exchange for reducing emissions.

With a goal to cut emissions by 30 million tonnes, equivalent to the UK’s annual emissions from livestock farming, the project has already trained over 100,000 farmers in sustainable techniques like crop rotation and agroforestry.

As well as cutting carbon, the project is also working with the Luambe and Lukusuzi National Parks to help build roads and campsites, creating rural jobs through eco-tourism and ensuring the protection of wildlife.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

The UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) supports AI-based forecasting to boost extreme weather preparedness in Bangladesh.

Extreme weather events such as storms are getting more frequent and intense all over the world due to a more unstable climate. For many Bangladeshi coastal communities, tidal surges can be devastating for people’s livelihoods.

CLARE (Climate, Adaptation and Resilience), a research programme on climate adaptation and resilience jointly run by the UK and Canada, is piloting an innovative AI-based forecasting system to provide early warnings and help with long-term planning against storms.

When Cyclone Remal hit in 2024, displacing over 120,000 people, the project was able to provide timely information by identifying 30 at-risk embankment points. This allowed local people to effectively mobilise resources in real-time and strengthen embankments to limit damage.

Once completed, the AI model is set to be adopted by government and humanitarian groups across the country.

The project shows how we’re providing value for money by helping communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. Using data from tide stations and drone surveys, the project will aim to provide highly accurate forecasts for tidal surges.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

The UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) supports mangrove conservation to reduce the impacts of climate change, protect biodiversity and boost livelihoods.

Mangrove forests, found in tropical and sub-tropical coastal areas, are a vital home for endangered species such as the white breasted sea eagle and olive ridley turtles. They also support coastal communities that depend on them for their livelihoods.

Crucially, mangroves play a key role in tackling climate change, with the ability to store up to 4 times more carbon than rainforests.

However, mangrove forests have been in severe decline for decades. To address this, the UK government is funding the Blue Forest Initiatives programme, led by the UK non-profit Blue Ventures, to protect, restore and sustainably manage mangrove forests in Madagascar and Indonesia.

The community-led programme is working to prevent deforestation and overfishing while supporting the livelihoods of up to 70,000 people.

With a goal of protecting approximately 80,000 hectares of mangrove forests – an area larger than the size of 100,000 football pitches, the programme is expected to save 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released.

By securing the future of these critical ecosystems, the UK is not only combatting climate change but also safeguarding biodiversity and tackling extreme poverty.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

The UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) mobilises billions in public and private funding for clean energy projects in developing countries.

Public finance alone is not going to fund the global energy transition. That’s why we need innovative solutions to mobilise private investment to tackle climate change.

The Climate Investment Funds’ Capital Market Mechanism (CCMM) demonstrates how the UK is playing a leading role in mobilising the necessary finance to support developing countries in their efforts to cut carbon emissions, build renewables and adapt to climate change.

Launched by the UK Prime Minister at COP29, the mechanism is designed to unlock billions in climate finance by leveraging future loan repayments from previous investments. It could mobilise up to $75 billion in public and private funding for new clean energy projects in developing countries and reduce global emissions.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

Joint Statement on Myanmar at the General Affairs Committee at ILC 113. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Chair, I have the honour of speaking on behalf of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and my own country, the United Kingdom.

We would firstly like to thank the ILO Office for their work on this issue, and the work of the ILO Liaison Office and its staff in Yangon who continue to work under extremely difficult circumstances.

We also wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Myanmar, who have suffered yet more hardship as a result of the terrible earthquake in March, which has seen large-scale destruction of homes, businesses and places of worship, and most sadly, the tragic loss of lives.

Chair, at this International Labour Conference, we meet to discuss the Myanmar military regime’s ongoing intransigence in observing Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, and Convention 29 on Forced Labour. Since the Commission of Inquiry for Myanmar was established in 2023, we have heard grave reports of continued repression of trade unions and labour rights, including through active suppression of unionization efforts, and the surveillance, harassment and dismissal of those engaging in union activities.

Trade Unionists continue to be imprisoned, including the General Secretary of the Myanmar Industries Craft and Services Trade Union Federation, Thet Hnin Aung, whom we and the ILO Office have continued to call for the release of.

We are also concerned by reports of continued systematic exploitation of civilians for different types of forced labour, including as porters, guides, and human shields, as well as for the cultivation, construction and maintenance of military camps, or for the provision of transport, accommodation, food and domestic work.

Despite our calls for the Myanmar military regime to urgently address these issues, the regime has failed to address the Commission’s recommendations and continues to engage in far-reaching violations and abuses of labour laws and abuses of human rights, as laid out in ILO reporting and other UN-body findings.

Back in March at the Governing Body we agreed, by consensus, to adopt measures in line with Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, against Myanmar. We continue to support these measures, including the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to ensure Myanmar’s compliance with the Commission’s recommendations. It is important the ILO continues to closely monitor developments in Myanmar, including the impact of recent events on workers’ incomes and livelihoods.

Chair, we continue to believe that such measures should not exacerbate the dire humanitarian and economic situation in Myanmar, only made worse by the recent earthquake. Nor should Article 33 measures impact workers in Myanmar, who continue to suffer much hardship. International trade and business have a key role to play; businesses currently operating in Myanmar should be able to continue whilst respecting responsible business practices and human rights.

The UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand are committed to working with the ILO and its constituents to secure compliance by the Myanmar regime with the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations. We call on all constituents to support the adoption of the draft resolution and ensure that the military regime urgently addresses the grave issues as laid out.

Chair, we support the draft resolution.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 June 2025.

In the face of an unpredictable geo-political landscape, the UK’s approach to the Indo-Pacific reflects its determination to be a dependable and forward-looking security partner in the region.

The United Kingdom has reinforced its long-term strategic commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, emphasising the critical importance of enhancing security cooperation and defence partnerships across this vital geo political space.

At the annual Shangri-La Dialogue hosted by IISS, Lord Coaker and the Chief of Defence Staff led a delegation from the UK who demonstrated the UK’s continued determination to working alongside partners to address shared security challenges and uphold the rules based international system.

This commitment will be further demonstrated this summer as the UK’s Carrier Strike Group visits the region – providing another opportunity to reinforce the UK’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

And all this engagement is helping to strengthen the UK’s industrial base and create high-skilled jobs while also driving mutual prosperity and security across the Indo-Pacific.

Colonel Eddie Maskell-Pedersen, Head of the British Defence Staff in South East Asia said:

It’s been a great year for UK Defence activity in this region already. In Singapore alone we’ve had the Commander of UK Strategic Command attending the Defence Technology Summit, a bilateral visit from our Chief of the Air Staff, the Director of Development from the Royal Navy attending IMDEX along with a formal port call from HMS SPEY.

Our Defence cooperation with Singapore and with our partners across this region is going from strength-to-strength and our Global Defence Network looks forward to continuing to support the positive momentum we have across Southeast Asia.

British High Commissioner to Singapore Nik Mehta said:

Singapore has yet again played host to a fantastic opportunity for regional defence engagement, and the UK delegation has had the chance to strengthen our relationships with this critical part of the world and underline our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Following hot-on-the-heels of this event we have our Carrier Strike Group visiting the region, providing a crowning moment for our relations with Singapore and across the Indo-Pacific.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific Martin Kent said:

The security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific is indivisible from that of the Euro-Atlantic – and closer partnership has never been so vital.

The UK is a defence industrial superpower, with defence and security exports to Asia Pacific worth over £2.1bn in 2023. The UK delegation at this year’s Dialogue and the upcoming visit of the Carrier Strike Group highlight the strength of our defence industrial base, and our commitment to building mutual security and prosperity with the region.