Tag: Foreign Office

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

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Sir Oliver (Olly) Robbins as the new Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Olly is currently Partner and Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hakluyt, a global strategic advisory firm.

He has previously worked at Goldman Sachs and also held senior leadership roles in the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, Downing Street and as the Second Permanent Secretary in the Home Office and Permanent Secretary in the Department for Exiting the European Union.

Olly  will replace Sir Philip Barton who is stepping down after nearly four decades in the FCDO.

The Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, said:

I have set out from day one that I want to rewire the FCDO to act as the international delivery arm of this government’s missions, as well as devising our broader international strategy. Olly Robbins is exactly the person to help me deliver this and I am delighted to welcome him into the FCDO.

His extensive experience of economic and security issues, gained across a range of Whitehall departments, will stand us in good stead as we reorient the FCDO to focus on growth and migration, while continuing to double down on national security – the foundation of our Plan for Change.

I would like to thank Sir Philip Barton for his many years of dedicated public service, in particular his leadership as PUS and his support through the recent political transition.

Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, said:

I would like to congratulate Olly on his appointment and welcome him back to the Civil Service. He brings huge experience to this role, both from his time previously in the Civil Service and his recent experience in the private sector. I look forward to working with Olly in this role as he leads the FCDO to deliver on a wide range of international issues and make a positive difference in a world where geopolitical change is intensifying.

I would also like to thank Sir Philip Barton for his outstanding dedication and service over his 38 year career in the Civil Service, and in particular for almost five years service in his role as Permanent Under-Secretary of FCDO.

Sir Oliver Robbins said:

It has been my pleasure to work alongside the FCDO’s predecessors for most of my Civil Service career. I’ve seen our extraordinary diplomatic and development capabilities first hand from Washington DC to Mogadishu, Dublin to Sana’a and Abuja to New Delhi. After five years out of the Civil Service I return believing more strongly than ever in the value of those capabilities and the public service principles that underpin them, while convinced that maintaining the UK’s lead depends critically on understanding and co-opting the pace of change evident in the UK and around the world.

It is therefore with huge excitement that I take this role on. I look forward to supporting the Foreign Secretary and leading the FCDO’s first-rate staff to strengthen the UK’s influence with our partners around the world.

Notes to Editors:

• This is a Permanent Secretary level appointment, offered on a fixed tenure basis for five years.
• The Permanent Secretary for FCDO is appointed by the Foreign Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister.
• The appointment was approved by the independent Civil Service Commissioner.
• Sir Philip Barton has served for 38 years in the Civil Service and almost five years in his role as Permanent Under-Secretary.
• In this role he led the FCDO through complex organisational change – with the merger of the Foreign Office and Department for International Development  – whilst at the same time navigating major global events including the fullscale invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing instability in the Middle East.

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

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

I will make three points today.

First, as we mark the start of this new year, the first for over half a century without the Assad family in power in Syria, this is a moment of hope for the future of Syria and the Syrian people.

But rebuilding a country is not a place for quick fixes.

So we call on all involved to focus on the opportunity to build a democratic state, representative of Syria’s rich diversity and to take the necessary steps to establish participation across all of Syria’s society.

We’re encouraged by the new interim authorities’ timelines for drafting a new constitution and holding elections and national dialogue.

We are encouraged by early engagement with the international community and call for continued cooperation with the UN throughout the transitional period.

Second, there is much to be done, as we’ve heard, in the short term to protect civilians and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the 17 million people who need it.

We call on all parties to stop activity that could lead to further escalation or suffering for the civilian population and to protect vulnerable displaced populations.

Since the fall of Assad, the UK has committed a further $76 million to support vulnerable Syrians in Syria and across the region.
Third, Syria must eliminate the chemical weapons the Assad regime used against its own citizens.

Colleagues, now is the moment to close the Syria chemical weapons file once and for all.

We welcome the interim authorities’ commitment to secure chemical weapons stocks and their commitment to engage constructively with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to fully declare and verify the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.

I encourage members of this Council to support cooperation between the interim authorities and the OPCW, to ensure these appalling weapons can never be used again.

In conclusion, President, we look forward to working together, across the Security Council, to support the Syrian people in moving towards a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political transition leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government.

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

Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Ukraine. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Mr. President,

Let me begin by thanking you, Deputy High Commissioner and your Office, for your continued efforts to shine a light on human rights in Ukraine almost three years on from the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Your update today is a stark reminder of the barbaric character of that invasion. In recent months, as you have recounted, we’ve seen hundreds of civilian deaths including healthcare workers and emergency personnel. Systematic attacks on energy infrastructure. Forced deportations. And further grim evidence of systematic and systemic torture – and more executions – of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Routine abuse that is facilitated by Russian state entities, with the full knowledge of facility supervisors. Severe beatings, electric shocks, prolonged stress positions, and mock executions have become the norm. Sexual violence during internment is pervasive. Rape, castration and sexualized humiliation have all been reported.

The torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war is not just endemic. It is Russian State policy, in complete violation of the Geneva Conventions. All of this from a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which purports to be a great world power.

Deputy High Commissioner,

We are now three years into this invasion. Three years into the horrors. When will Russia accept its obligations to International Law and end this senseless war?

Thank you and Slava Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 January 2025.

The FCDO has released a statement following a ballistic missile launch by The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 6 January.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

DPRK’s ballistic missile launch on 6 January is 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, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 January 2025.

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

First, the United Kingdom expresses its alarm at the latest IPC report confirming that famine is rapidly spreading in Sudan.

As we’ve heard, children are acutely malnourished, preventable disease is spreading and basic services collapsing. On current projections, over 630,000 people face famine by May 2025.

Urgent action is needed now or more lives will be lost.

We are concerned that the Sudanese authorities have halted their participation in the IPC system in response to this report. Continuing to deny the food insecurity spreading across Sudan will only exacerbate suffering.

We call on the authorities to fully cooperate with the humanitarian response.

Second, we reiterate our support for bold international action, including by the UN, to tackle the humanitarian crisis.

In November, the UK doubled its aid commitment to Sudan and the region to almost $140m.

We call on the international community to step up support to both the UN and Sudanese local responders on the front line.

Third, President, we know that these devastating IPC figures are driven by the ongoing conflict and poor humanitarian access. It is within the power of the warring parties to prevent a deepening of this man-made crisis.

We welcome the Sudanese Armed Forces agreement to establish humanitarian supply hubs and extend permissions for the Adre crossing, which should be sustained.

But humanitarian access needs to be expanded to all civilians in need. This includes enabling other access routes, including through South Sudan and cross-line.

We also encourage the authorising of further humanitarian hubs, including in areas held by the Rapid Support Forces.

We urge both sides to lift all bureaucratic impediments and to put in place necessary safety guarantees for aid workers. And we fully condemn the killing of three WFP staff members in December and call for a thorough investigation.

President, to conclude, with excess deaths potentially reaching into the millions, the latest IPC warning should be a rallying call for action to end this conflict now and to scale up humanitarian support.

In 2025, this Council and the international community must work together to bring an end to this dark chapter for Sudan and to forge a pathway towards lasting peace.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 January 2025.

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

President, we are all horrified by the deterioration of the healthcare situation in Gaza.

It is completely unacceptable that since 7 October many medical facilities have been destroyed or damaged and over 1000 medical personnel have been killed, injured or detained. And, as Dr. Hassan has reminded us, their SOS calls have been ignored.

Following the forcible evacuation of Kamal Adwan hospital, there are now no functioning hospitals in North Gaza Governorate. Deteriorating access to medical services across Gaza is compounding acute child malnutrition, the risk of imminent famine and the spread of infectious diseases.

As we face this devastating situation, the UK reiterates three key and fundamental demands.

First, we call for civilians and medical staff to be protected in line with international humanitarian law. Israel is responsible for ensuring that civilians have access to vital medical care and for enabling medical practitioners to operate safely.

The UK continues to urge Israel to abide by their international obligations, including those set out in Security Council resolution 2286. And we also call on Israel to clarify the whereabouts of medical staff detained from hospitals in the north.

We are aware of reports of Hamas using civilian infrastructure for their operations, including hospitals.

The UK strongly condemns any such actions. By embedding themselves in civilian infrastructure, Hamas clearly put Palestinian civilians and medical staff at risk.

We reiterate however, that obligations under IHL to protect hospitals and healthcare workers are unconditional.

President, second, UNRWA must be allowed to play its essential role, including in delivering medical services and we unequivocally reject attempts to undermine its mandate.

On 11 December, my Prime Minister committed an additional $16.5 million to UNRWA to support vital services, including for medical care.

The UK is also supporting the provision of essential healthcare including through funding to UK-Med to run a field hospital and provide other healthcare services in Gaza.

President, third, Israel must do much more to immediately address this crisis and both sides must finally end this war.

The UK will keep pushing for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, for the better protection of civilians, for more aid consistently entering Gaza, and for a path to long-term peace and stability.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 January 2025.

Mr David Ashley has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan in succession to Mr Guy Warrington. Mr Ashley will take up his appointment during January 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: David William Ashley

Year	Role
2020 to 2024	Antananarivo, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Madagascar and non-resident Ambassador to Comoros
2018 to 2020	FCO, Deputy Head (for Syria and Iraq), Near East Department
2017 to 2018	Dhaka, Deputy High Commissioner
2014 to 2016	Kabul, Political Counsellor
2011 to 2014	FCO, Head, Levant Team, Near East Department
2009 to 2011	Colombo, First Secretary – Regional Conflict Advisor (South Asia)
2006 to 2009	Nairobi, First Secretary – Regional Conflict Advisor (Central-East Africa)
2004 to 2006	FCO, Head, Justice and Rule of Law Team, Conflict Issues Group
2002 to 2004	Belgrade, Second Secretary – Political
1999 to 2001	FCO, International Criminal Court Desk Officer, War Crimes Section, UN Department
1999	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2024.

The Defence Secretary outlined his five principles for supporting Ukraine next year during a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday.

The UK will step up international leadership on Ukraine into 2025, with a new £225m package of military support and further backing for next year to underpin a new plan for Ukraine’s defence.

During a visit to Kyiv today, the Defence Secretary, John Healey, met with his counterpart, Rustem Umerov, to set out the five priority areas for UK defence support, underlining the UK’s commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

The UK’s continued leadership on the war in Ukraine throughout 2025 will see an increase to Ukraine’s military capability; will build on the success of Operation Interflex by enhancing the training offered to Ukraine; will strengthen defence industrial cooperation; will increase cooperation with our allies to support Ukraine; and will increase pressure on Russia.

The UK’s ironclad support for Ukraine continues with a new £225m package of military support announced today. The package announced by the Defence Secretary will increase Ukraine’s military capability with new maritime drones and boats, air defence systems, and counter-drone systems.

The new support package includes:

• A £186m package of key military equipment through the International Fund for Ukraine, including:
  • £92m for equipment to bolster Ukraine’s navy, including small boats, reconnaissance drones, uncrewed surface vessels, loitering munitions, and mine countermeasure drones, directly supporting the maritime coalition co-led by the UK and Norway
  • £68m for air defence equipment including radars, decoy land equipment, and counter-drone electronic warfare systems
  • £26m to provide support and spare parts for critical systems previously delivered to Ukraine
• £39m to provide more than 1,000 counter-drone electronic warfare systems and for joint-procurement of respirators and equipment to enhance the protective capabilities of Ukraine’s Armed Forces
• Explosive charges to equip more than 90,000 155mm artillery rounds, which can be used by the dozens of AS-90 self-propelled artillery guns the UK has previously provided

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

Nearly three years after Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion, the depths of his miscalculation are clearer than ever, as the brave people of Ukraine continue to defy all expectations with their unbreakable spirit.

But they cannot go it alone – which is why the UK will step up our international leadership on Ukraine throughout 2025. We will enhance our offer of training to Ukraine and provide battle-winning capabilities, such as the drones and munitions included in our new £225m package today.

Our support for Ukraine is ironclad, and during my meetings in Kyiv today, I made clear the UK’s support will continue for as long as it takes, regardless of the situation in Ukraine, and that we will always stand shoulder to shoulder to ensure Putin cannot win.

Operation Interflex – the British programme of basic military training for Ukrainian recruits on UK soil – is supported by 12 other nations and is one of the biggest training programmes of its kind – with more than 51,000 recruits trained since summer 2022.

The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and Defence Secretary have all been clear that the UK’s defence starts in Ukraine, and that providing military support is essential to promote both the UK’s national security and stability in Europe. The Prime Minister has stressed that defending the country is the Government’s first priority, and an integral part of its Plan for Change.

During his visit today, the Defence Secretary thanked UK military personnel supporting the British diplomatic presence in Ukraine, vowing to ensure military support is available to support the British embassy in Kyiv for as long as is necessary.

The visit to Kyiv is the Defence Secretary’s second in the role, having travelled out to meet President Zelenskyy on his second day in post.

With Putin resorting to sending as many as 2,000 Russian soldiers to their deaths on the battlefield each day, it is critical that Ukraine is supported with a supply of properly trained and equipped soldiers.

Further enhancing the UK’s offer of training will not only help Ukraine’s fight on the frontline but will also help provide a reserve of trained soldiers to strengthen Ukraine’s security in the future.

The UK continues to co-lead both the international drone and maritime coalitions to provide Ukraine with advanced new weapons and equipment.

The International Fund for Ukraine is a funding mechanism that uses financial contributions from international partners to rapidly procure priority military equipment for Ukraine.

The fund is administered by the UK Ministry of Defence on behalf of an executive panel comprising the UK, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Lithuania. These partners, along with Iceland, Australia, Portugal, and New Zealand, have pledged more than £1.3bn to date.

Since the start of the new Government this summer, hundreds of thousands of rounds of munitions, hundreds of ground attack and air defence missiles, as well as hundreds of drones and vehicles, have been provided by the UK as Ministers have stepped up and speeded up Ukraine support.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2024.

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

Over the past year, we have seen the DPRK providing increasing support to Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, through the supply of munitions, ballistic missiles and now manpower, with the deployment of more than ten thousand DPRK troops to Russia.

The Council should be deeply concerned that DPRK troops are now engaging in direct combat operations against Ukraine, involving themselves directly in the largest war in Europe in a generation. A war the General Assembly has repeatedly described as a violation of international law.

While Russia’s growing reliance upon third country support comes as no surprise given its weakened state, and its desperate efforts to steal more Ukrainian territory, this is a grave error by DPRK.

We call upon Pyongyang to withdraw its forces from the theatre of combat and encourage all countries with influence in Pyongyang to use it accordingly.

It should by now be crystal clear to the DPRK, your support for Russia’s illegal war in Europe is not in your interests. You must cease this support immediately and return to meaningful engagement with the international community.

Colleagues, deepening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK has significant implications for security and stability in Europe, the Korean Peninsula, and elsewhere.

We should all be worried about a DPRK with improved military technology and enhanced capacity to export weapons.

Recent reports that Russia intends to transfer MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft to DPRK further exposes Russia’s willingness to raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula and undermine regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, all in service of its war against Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Lavrov’s declaration that the notion of “denuclearising” North Korea is a “closed issue”, is a reckless departure from the agreed principle of complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament and undermines the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

We call on Russia, an NPT depositary state, to align their words and actions with their stated commitment to global nuclear non-proliferation principles.

We will continue to impose costs on Russia and DPRK for this dangerous expansion of the war.

If Putin was truly interested in peace, he could end this war today by ceasing his deployment of DPRK troops on the front-line and ending his country’s aggression against Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2024.

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

Thank you Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and Dr Efron for your briefing.

And thank you, Mr Levy, for sharing your family’s story with us.

The suffering you and your family have been through is unimaginable.

Let me state at the outset that the UK stands with you, and with all those hostage families seeking desperately to bring their loved ones home. We reiterate our condemnation of the abhorrent Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 and the kidnapping of over 250 hostages, including Emily Damari and three hostages with UK links. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally.

Let me make three additional points.

First, the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling. Over 45,000 Palestinians have died since 7 October. And the last two months were the worst for aid since October 2023.

The UN has reported a shocking increase in cases of acute malnutrition in children, and that Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world.

The UK continues to urge Israel to do much more to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to abide by their international obligations.

This includes facilitating rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian aid and basic services to the Palestinian people.

UNRWA plays a crucial role in delivering this life-saving aid.

On 11 December, my Prime Minister committed an additional $16.5 million to UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in the OPTs and the wider region, bringing the UK’s support to UNRWA to $52 million since April this year.

Second, President, northern Gaza must not be cut off from the south.

The UK is clear: there must be no forcible transfer of Gazans from, or within, Gaza.

There must be no reduction of the territory of the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s expansion of military infrastructure and the destruction of civilian buildings and agricultural land across the Strip is unacceptable.

Third, the UK calls on Israel to stop settlement expansion on Palestinian land, which is illegal under international law, and to hold violent settlers to account.

Continued instability and settler violence in the West Bank should not be tolerated by Israel and the culture of impunity must end.

This does nothing to bring about peace and security for Palestinians or Israelis.

We also note the decision of the Government of Israel to extend correspondent banking relations for twelve months and continue to urge Israel to remove its restrictions on clearance revenues.

President, the fall of Assad and the ceasefire in Lebanon offer a moment of hope for the people of the region, as we look ahead to 2025.

We must now use this momentum to deliver a long sought after ceasefire, secure the immediate release of all hostages and put an end to the humanitarian crisis and suffering in Gaza.