Tag: Foreign Office

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.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 December 2024.

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

Colleagues, Iran continues to develop its nuclear programme to levels that lack any credible civilian justification.

Iran is not only failing to uphold its JCPoA commitments, it is peddling dangerous and escalatory rhetoric around its nuclear capability and doctrine.

And Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is already more than 32 times JCPoA limits.

On 6 December the IAEA reported that Iran had significantly increased its production rate of 60% high enriched uranium, which is now approximately five times higher than a month ago.

There is no justification for Iran’s stockpiling of high enriched uranium, which gives it the capability to rapidly produce enough fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons.

Iran is the only state without nuclear weapons to enrich uranium at this level.

We should be under no illusions as to Iran’s growing capabilities.

Iran’s nuclear programme has never been so advanced. And the IAEA can no longer assure us that its purposes are exclusively peaceful.

We should all be worried about what this means for global non-proliferation.

President, Iran has a choice: it can continue to escalate over the coming months, or it can choose diplomacy.

It must choose the latter. The UK and our E3 partners are determined to reach a diplomatic solution. We will continue to engage Iran to find a constructive way forward.

But let us be clear. With UNSCR 2231 set to expire next October, we are reaching a critical juncture. We will take every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, including the triggering of snapback if necessary.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 December 2024.

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

Colleagues, this is a moment of hope and a new chapter for the Syrian people. They have suffered enormously under the Assad regime’s cruel grip.

It is a moment to mourn and seek accountability for those that have been lost and a chance to ensure that the nation handed down to future generations is one built on democracy, stability and peaceful co-existence.

I will focus on three points addressing the transitional period, humanitarian support and accountability.

First, the transition period.

We cannot underestimate the challenge ahead. The UK, alongside the UN and our Arab, US and EU partners has been clear that the Syrian people have our full support as they proceed with the momentous task of building their future.

We call on the new interim authorities to support an inclusive political dialogue on Syria’s future governance, protect the rights of all individuals, respect international humanitarian law and develop a process of equitable justice and accountability. We will judge them by their actions. The world is watching.

Of course, the fall of Assad does not mean that security in Syria will automatically improve. We must remain seized of the threat of a Daesh resurgence, and the UK is fully committed to supporting Syria’s fight against terrorism.

Respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for the peace and security of the region. We call on all parties to cease hostilities in Syria.

Second, humanitarian support.

This is an opportunity to end the suffering that Syrians have endured for far too long. We welcome the positive engagement that the Emergency Relief Coordinator has had in Syria with the new interim authorities.

We have seen millions of Syrians displaced from their homes, without proper access to food, medicine, basic services or an education for their children.

For those returning home and seeking to rebuild their lives, the international community must stand together to support their immediate needs.

In the past week the UK has announced an additional $78 million aid package to support the most vulnerable Syrians, including Syrian refugees across the region.

Third, accountability.

We stand with the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who were arbitrarily detained, tortured and murdered at the hands of the regime. We also remember the men, women and children of Ghouta, Douma and Khan Shaykhun, victims of Assad’s horrific use of chemical weapons.

We, the international community, must continue to pursue accountability for these atrocities, including the preservation of records, alongside full implementation of Resolution 2118.

The UK has provided a further $150,000 to the OPCW Syria missions to help rid Syria of its chemical weapons stockpile once and for all.

President, as we look to 2025 and beyond, we call on the international community to come together and support Syria as it seeks the future it has waited for. The future it has fought for. And the future it deserves.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 December 2024.

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

President, it is a tragedy and an outrage that once again we are having to address the appalling impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion. I would like to make three points.

First, the humanitarian cost of Russia’s barbaric war has been immense. This year, 14.6 million people, 40 per cent of Ukraine’s population, required humanitarian assistance.

At least 10,000 civilians have been killed and over 18,500 injured. 6 million Ukrainian refugees are registered across Europe and 3.6 million people are internally displaced in Ukraine.

This winter, following a total of 12 major strikes on their energy system in 2024, Ukrainians face limited access to power, water and heating. The most recent of these came last Friday.

Over the course of these attacks, all three of Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants have been forced to reduce generation and millions have been left without power.

The targeting of substations providing electricity to nuclear plants directly threatens the safety of Ukraine and the wider region.

In this regard, we welcome the resolution adopted by the IAEA’s Board of Governors last week.

Russia’s suggestion to the IAEA that the solution to the threat, that Russia itself is causing, is to put the affected power stations into cold shut down.

This cynically ignores the further humanitarian impact this would have on the civilian population.

The solution is simpler. Russia should cease these reckless attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and adhere to the IAEA DG’s “Seven Pillars for Nuclear Safety and Security.”

Second, President, recent Russian operations have triggered significant displacement in the east including of the elderly and less mobile, and people with disabilities requiring specialised assistance. People are hiding in basements, with no access to services.

The humanitarian operating environment remains increasingly difficult. Russia continues to block meaningful access for humanitarian organisations to occupied areas.

Over the past two months, the number of security incidents directly impacting aid delivery has significantly increased.

Third, the UK is providing $126 million in humanitarian aid this year, bringing our total contribution to over $576 million.

We have also contributed over $80 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund since the start of the full-scale invasion and committed nearly $467 million in grants and loans overall to the energy sector.

Continued provision of air defence to defend Ukraine against Russian strikes remains vital.

In conclusion, we call on the Russian Federation to uphold its commitments under the UN Charter by withdrawing its troops from Ukraine and ending this brutal war.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 December 2024.

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

Colleagues, the briefers have given us a stark assessment of the fragile stalemate in Libya. The current situation is unsustainable, with some Libyan actors pursuing their own interests, only benefiting a handful of Libya’s elites. The Libyan people deserve political stability in a unified country with peace, security and prosperity.

I would like to make three points today.

First, we welcome the successful first phase of municipal elections in Libya, marking the first time Libyans have gone to the polls in over a decade. We must build on this success, and we call on Libyan authorities to provide the necessary resources and leadership for the second phase.

Second, we welcome the plan DSRSG Koury has outlined today for a new, inclusive, Libyan-led effort to lead the country towards elections and a sustainable, secure, prosperous future.

The UN plan provides a framework, but the solutions can only come from Libyans themselves. We encourage Libya’s leaders to engage with the UN process in good faith and with the spirit of compromise, for the benefit of all Libyans.

We stress our continued support to UNSMIL and DSRSG Koury in the implementation of her plan to achieve a long-term political solution and to enable elections.

Third, we welcome the Panel of Experts recent report and recommendations. We share their concerns around the continued ineffectiveness of the arms embargo, the increasing smuggling of diesel, and the violations and abuses of human rights.

We look forward to working with Council members to renew the sanctions regime and panel of expert’s mandate next month.

Finally, President, we encourage the UN to appoint a new Special Representative as soon as possible.

President, with international unity and the engagement of Libya’s leaders, we can work together to find political solutions and enable a better future for the Libyan people. The UK fully supports the efforts of the UN and DSRSG Koury in achieving this.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 December 2024.

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Chair Lord Pickles spoke about the impact of artificial intelligence on Holocaust education and remembrance.

Welcome to Lancaster House. It may seem very familiar to those who have watched the Crown or Sherlock Holmes. Lancaster House is often used to portray Buckingham Palace. Personally, I think Lancaster House is a much nicer, more comfy house. I am pleased you could all come today. I know it is a Sunday, but I think you will find it worthwhile.

Within the IHRA, we have been very aware of the impact of AI on Holocaust Education and Remembrance. And that should not come as a surprise to anyone. After all, we are a global community of governments and experts who focus on promoting, strengthening, and advancing Holocaust education, remembrance, and research.

Over the past 2 and a half decades, IHRA has safeguarded sites and challenged distortive narratives. Our experts are the backbone of everything we do. They fearlessly tackle complacency and warped misinformation. Coming to terms with AI should be no different.

One of the most graphic examples of this false narrative is the use of AI tools to create deepfakes.

As this decade progresses, the number of survivors who witnessed the Holocaust as children will move from contemporary memory into history. In anticipation of this, much effort is being made to secure testimony and protect archives. The very depth of this knowledge might be our Achilles’ heel.

You don’t need programming skills to create a deepfake. You can make it for free in less than 30 seconds using many free deepfake applications. We live in an era in which “seeing is no longer believing”.

The consequences of cheap, widespread fakery are likely to be profound. It is possible to imagine Holocaust survivor testimony being manipulated.

We may see Holocaust survivors with false words put into their mouths: the concentration camps were “not that bad”, “we had plenty of food”, and such like.

How do we meet this challenge?

The first thing we need to understand is that AI is here to stay and that governments will always be playing catch up to cheap, widely used AI.

The second thing is: we ourselves will use AI. We will use it to improve our archives, and to find links and connections. We will use it to improve training and teaching.

There are perhaps as many opportunities for us to embrace, as there are pitfalls. But we need to enhance AI literacy and research skills so that users know how to verify AI-produced texts. Today provides a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding.

We have gathered a range of experts in their field to discuss AI. While some of the speakers will speak of the dangers and the need for caution, others will focus on ethics. There will also be those that say AI is here to stay and we need to embrace it. That AI can be a force for good.

There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. I hope this conference will kickstart a discussion on AI within the working groups and committees.

Let today mark a new chapter in our efforts – one where we confront the realities of AI with the same resolve and collaboration that define IHRA’s work.

I wish you all the very best.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 December 2024.

The UK has issued a statement in response to the suspension of the BBC in Niger.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

We are deeply concerned about the temporary suspension of the BBC, and other media outlets, and restrictions placed on journalists in Niger.

Freedom of expression and the media are essential qualities of any society. Societies are strengthened by well-informed publics and expressions of opinion, informed by a free media.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 December 2024.

Ms Rebecca Terzeon has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia in succession to Mr Nicholas Woolley. Ms Terzeon will take up her appointment during January 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Rebecca Terzeon

Year	Role
2021 to present	FCDO, Deputy Director, West Africa Department
2020 to 2021	FCO, Deputy Director, Africa Directorate (Africa Strategy)
2019 to 2020	DFID, Head of Director General’s Office (Policy, Research and Humanitarian)
2015 to 2019	DFID, Head of Gender Equality Team
2011 to 2015	Mogadishu, Deputy Head of DFID Office
2008 to 2011	HMG Stabilisation Unit, Head of Stabilisation Planning Team
2006 to 2008	DFID, Head of Humanitarian Policy Team
2005 to 2006	Addis Ababa, DFID Programme Manager
2004 to 2005	DFID, Deputy Head of Director’s Office (Asia)
2003 to 2004	Kinshasa, Deputy Head of DFID Office
2003	Brussels, European Commission, Stagiaire
2002 to 2003	DFID, EU Coordinator (Western Balkans)
2001 to 2002	DEFRA, Policy Manager