Tag: Foreign Office

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

Russia’s systematic targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter appears to follow a clear pattern aimed at undermining Ukraine’s resilience.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Once again and for the fourth year in a row, Russia is weaponising Winter against Ukraine. Russia’s systematic targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter appears to follow a clear pattern aimed at undermining civil resilience.

Each month Russia sets new, and unwanted, records. In October, Russia launched its largest coordinated strike of the war on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, firing 35 missiles and 60 drones at Naftogaz gas facilities in Kharkiv and Poltava, causing critical damage and disrupting operations. Russian forces also damaged a major energy facility in Zaporizhzhia, cutting power to thousands, and targeted gas transportation infrastructure in Lviv, killing four civilians.

Madam Chair, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that “continued attacks on energy infrastructure will severely impact civilian access to essential services this winter.”

Other independent assessments, including the REACH Cold Spots Risk Assessment, confirm that repeated strikes on energy facilities create “critical vulnerabilities” for households, particularly in eastern and southern Ukraine, where repair capacity is limited.

The OSCE’s Code of Conduct reiterates the need for us all to ensure that our Armed Forces comply with international law. And yet, the OSCE Moscow Mechanisms, ODIHR and UN, continue to report on mounting independent evidence of Russia violating international law, including international humanitarian law.

Destroying energy infrastructure ahead of winter, affects the most vulnerable civilians in society, and risks individuals freezing to death in their own homes and being denied access to essential services. The facts are stark and simple. Under international law, deliberately targeting civilians is illegal. Under international law, Russia’s invasion is illegal. Under international law, Ukraine has a right to defend itself. And the UK will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself– today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

We once again call on Russia to cease these attacks immediately, end its illegal war and to return to full compliance with international law.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

At the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation, the UK outlines that our approach to resilience is rooted in our whole-of-society model, as outlined in the UK Resilience Action Plan published in July 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The UK welcomes Finland’s initiative to convene this timely Security Dialogue on resilience through comprehensive security. We fully support the emphasis on civil-military cooperation as a strategic pillar of national defence.

The UK’s approach to resilience is rooted in our whole-of-society model, as outlined in the UK Resilience Action Plan, published in July. We see resilience not merely as a response mechanism, but as a proactive, integrated system that spans government, business, civil society, and individuals. Our strategy prioritises prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery — ensuring that vital societal functions endure even under stress.

This model is reflected in our Strategic Defence Review 2025, which underscores the importance of civilian-military integration in safeguarding national security. Chapter 6 of the Review outlines how the UK Armed Forces work alongside local authorities, emergency services, and community organisations to build resilience at every level — from cyber defence and infrastructure protection to public health and crisis communications. Associated actions are being delivered through the UK’s new Home Defence Programme.

In today’s threat landscape — shaped by hybrid tactics, disinformation, and coercive diplomacy — resilience is a strategic imperative. The UK commends the OSCE’s multidimensional approach and the Code of Conduct’s emphasis on democratic control of armed forces. We see civil-military cooperation not only as a defence asset, but as a democratic strength.

We also draw inspiration from Ukraine’s extraordinary resilience in the face of aggression. Their ability to sustain societal functions under extreme pressure exemplifies the power of unity and preparedness.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Honduras officially launched a new national strategy to tackle organized crime, developed with technical assistance from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and partial funding from the United Kingdom.

The strategy was created using UNODC’s “Organised Crime Strategy Toolkit,” supported by the UK Home Office’s Integrated Security Fund. This toolkit helps countries build comprehensive frameworks to prevent and combat organized crime, emphasizing principles of prevention, protection, prosecution, and institutional strengthening. 

Collaboration began after a regional meeting in Bangkok in February 2022, where Honduras requested UNODC’s support. Since then, the country has worked closely with UNODC to develop a strategy that integrates gender, human rights, and a holistic approach to crime prevention. 

This initiative reflects Honduras’s commitment to coordinated, sustainable action against organized crime and aligns with the UK’s support for the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

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

Russia’s largest oil companies and global businesses propping up Putin’s illegal war have been hit by fresh sanctions as the UK moves to increase pressure on Kremlin revenues.

• UK unleashes strongest sanctions yet on Russia, choking off energy revenues that flow into its war chest by directly targeting oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil.  
• Government is taking Russian oil ‘off the market’ as 90 sanctions announced.  
• Foreign Office and Treasury take action in tandem, with Yvette Cooper introducing sanctions in parliament and Rachel Reeves leading discussions with international partners in Washington DC.

The 90 new sanctions strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding, directly targeting Rosneft and Lukoil – two of the world’s biggest energy companies, which together export 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. Rosneft alone is responsible for 6% of global and nearly half of all Russian oil production.  

Today’s action demonstrates the government’s determination to cut off Putin’s revenue streams – targeting Russian companies and their global enablers. Four oil terminals in China, 44 tankers in the ‘shadow fleet’ transporting Russian oil, and Nayara Energy Limited – which imported 100 million barrels of Russian crude worth over $5 billion in 2024 alone – have all been hit by this latest wave of sanctions.

The new sanctions, all announced by the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in Parliament today, come as Chancellor Rachel Reeves arrives in Washington DC for the International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings, where she will meet G7 Finance Ministers and attend a Ukraine roundtable to rally global partners to cut off revenues reaching the Russian regime.

Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:  

At this critical moment for Ukraine, Europe is stepping up. Together, the UK and our allies are piling the pressure on Putin – going after his oil, gas and shadow fleet – and we will not relent until he abandons his failed war of conquest and gets serious about peace.  

Even with his war economy creaking, his people suffering, and his army enduring unthinkable losses – still he sends drones and missiles after innocent civilians.  

Ukraine’s security is important for the security and stability of the whole of Europe and for the UK. Today’s action is another step towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and towards a more secure United Kingdom. The action we are taking against Russian aggression with partners across Europe makes us stronger here at home.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:  

We are sending a clear signal: Russian oil is off the market.  

As Putin’s aggression intensifies, we are stepping up our response. The UK will continue to strip away the funding that fuels his war machine. We will hold to account all those enabling his illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The action also coincides with Putin kicking off Russian Energy Week in Moscow, undermining his efforts to pitch his most valuable funding stream to those across the globe. 

As Putin’s vital oil revenues shrink year-on-year under the weight of international sanctions, the Kremlin is scrambling to expand its liquified natural gas (LNG) industry to plug these losses. The UK is today also sanctioning seven specialised LNG tankers and the Chinese Beihai LNG terminal. Beihai has been importing LNG from Arctic LNG2 – the severely disrupted flagship Russian LNG project, sanctioned by the UK in February 2024.

To further restrict the flow of funds to the Kremlin, the UK has today announced that we will ban imports of oil products refined in third countries from Russian-origin crude oil. 

By removing Russian oil from the market, taking steps towards peace and in turn building a more secure Europe, we are directly strengthening the UK’s national and energy security – key foundations of this government’s Plan for Change.  

More than 85,000 military drones have been delivered by the UK to Ukraine in just six months this year by accelerating production from British companies and supporting jobs in both countries, with £600 million invested by the UK this year. 

Today’s sanctions extend beyond oil, tightening the net around Russia’s key military supply chains by hitting businesses that supply electronics critical for Russian drones and missiles terrorising Ukrainian civilians, across countries including Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, and China.  

Background  

• Today’s measures come as new data released today reveals that UK sanctions have frozen £28.7 billion of Russian assets since February 2022. The figure, announced in the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation’s (OFSI) Annual Review 2024-25, highlight the UK’s leading role in choking off the funding streams bankrolling Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine – more detail can be found here.
• A full list of today’s targets can be found here.
• The UK has sanctioned the two largest Russian oil majors, Rosneft and Lukoil. We previously sanctioned the third and fourth largest, Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas in January 2025.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 October 2025.

UK Statement at the World Trade Organization’s General Council. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and the UN, Kumar Iyer.

Agenda item 4.1. WTO Reform – Report by the Facilitator

The UK supports the work of Ambassador Ølberg; we welcome the report and we support his engagement with the G20 process. We welcome also the focus on MC14 as a reform Ministerial Conference and the UK stands ready to support the process as needed and we will update the membership later on in our information item on the Wilton Park conference last week.

The UK continues to believe like, the majority of Members, that now is very much the time for reform, and the credibility of this organisation rests on it. We all have different priorities but that underlines again the value of the facilitator’s process and the need to engage with it constructively. The UK is keen to move to focussed, detailed discussions on areas identified by the facilitator. The sooner we can get to open, frank, and hopefully constructive discussions, the better. The sooner we can engage with specifics, the more we can minimise the asks of our ministers at MC14, and we recognise the need to be pragmatic in scope to achieve that.

The priorities for the UK remain decision-making, Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) and market-distorting practises, but we recognise the wider interests of the membership and the need for the facilitator to accommodate those. Thank you.

Item 9

Thank you Chair. We’d like to be brief: the UK would like to note that we really welcome this innovation. Simplifying global trade for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) is a really value-added role that the WTO can provide.

The UK Trade Commissioner was able to be present directly. Our focus in our interventions was around SMEs’ access to finance and the green transition. We would also like to know that we support the road map produced and support its implementation. Thank you.

Item 10

Thank you, Chair. The United Kingdom welcomes the initiative and the establishment of the website as a record for members to refer to. We reaffirm that the UK encourages further work on this important topic. The UK stands ready to engage constructively with all Members as these conversations develop. Thank you.

Item 11

Thank you, Chair.

From the 1st to the 3rd of October, the United Kingdom hosted delegates from across the WTO membership at a conference at our Wilton Park venue to discuss the future of the multilateral trading system and WTO reform within this context. Whilst English country houses are both large and charming, sadly they cannot accommodate the whole membership. In the interest of transparency, we wanted to provide this report and are happy to discuss further any detail with any interested members.

We were joined at the conference by the Director-General and the WTO Reform Facilitator, and we invited representatives from the full cross section of the membership or group coordinators and a strong regional mix. We would like to thank all delegates for their attendance and, in particular, for the quality, openness and depth of conversations that we had. There were no clocks. There were no cameras and, after a while, there were no statements either. The conference itself was held under confidentiality terms, but I will try and draw out a few points to report back on general comments and observations.

The first was, unsurprisingly, there was a very wide divergence of views. There was a divergence in the problems that people saw, and there was a divergence in the value people saw in the WTO. However, in response to your question from yesterday and your challenge, DG: everyone saw some form of value in the WTO, it just wasn’t necessarily the same thing.

The second is an observation around stability. There was a general agreement that there was value in some stability for businesses to operate and for that we would need some agreed rules, but again, disagreement that the current rules necessarily were the right ones under which to operate.

The third observation being there were the beginnings of proposals and ideas that were raised. There were no particular agreements, that was not the objective of this. But hopefully in the frank and open discussions that Members had, they were able to evolve their thinking so that we could listen to each other and hopefully develop better ideas in that process. I’m sure in the coming weeks and months, those Members will want to bring those ideas to this Chamber.

Chair, I think there is probably a real value add of those discussions and one for us to remember in this Chamber: that depth of understanding is a prerequisite for any progress. In Geneva we talk all the time to each other. Sometimes we don’t always listen, but we do talk. One of the advantages at Wilton Park was over that period of time we were forced to listen to one another and whilst we may talk here, colleagues from capitals do not always get the chance, and the invitees from capitals saw value in that. I will pause there and on our report. Thank you, Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 October 2025.

Alongside the US Government, the UK has today sanctioned a network that operates illegal scam centres across Southeast Asia.

A network that operates illegal scam centres, which trick victims across the world out of substantial sums of money and torture their trafficked workers, is today (14 October) sanctioned by the UK and US governments. 

Across Southeast Asia, scam centres are using sophisticated schemes, including scams in which people are lured into fake romantic relationships, to defraud victims on an industrial scale, including in the UK. Those conducting the scams are often trafficked foreign nationals, trapped and forced to carry out online fraud under threat of torture. 

As part of the crackdown, a £12 million mansion in North London, owned by a multi-national network responsible for using forced labour to conduct online scams, has been frozen. 

The leader of the network, Chen Zhi, and his web of enablers have incorporated their businesses in the British Virgin Islands and invested in the London property market, including a £12 million mansion on Avenue Road in North London, a £100 million office building on Fenchurch Street in the City of London, and seventeen flats on New Oxford Street and in Nine Elms in South London. 

The sanctions will freeze these businesses and properties with immediate effect, locking Chen and his network out of the UK’s financial system. 

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 

The masterminds behind these horrific scam centres are ruining the lives of vulnerable people and buying up London homes to store their money. 

Together with our US allies, we are taking decisive action to combat the growing transnational threat posed by this network – upholding human rights, protecting British nationals and keeping dirty money off our streets.

The individuals and entities targeted today include: 

• The Prince Group and its Chairman Chen Zhi – The Prince Group is a high-profile, multi-billion-pound conglomerate with extensive business activities across Cambodia and beyond. Chen and the Prince Group have constructed casinos and compounds used as scam centres, maintain links to their operations through corporate proxies, and are implicated in laundering the proceeds
• Jin Bei Group – A leisure and entertainment business linked to the Prince Group, whose properties include a flagship seven-storey hotel and casino in the Cambodian tourist hub of Sihanoukville, as well as multiple scam centres
• Golden Fortune Resorts World Ltd. – The company behind a large scam compound on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, built by a Prince Group subsidiary and disguised as a “technology park”
• Byex Exchange – A cryptocurrency platform with links to Jin Bei and Prince Group

Scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar and across the region use fake job adverts to attract foreign nationals to disused casinos or purpose-built compounds, where they are forced to carry out online fraud under threat of torture. Scams often involve building online relationships to convince targets to ‘invest’ increasingly large sums of money into fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes. The proceeds are then laundered using a sophisticated financial ecosystem that includes seemingly legitimate front businesses and online gambling platforms. 

Today’s sanctions are being coordinated with sanctions by the US to ensure maximum impact, and follow extensive investigations by the FCDO and the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). 

Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

Fraudsters prey on the most vulnerable by stealing life savings, ruining trust, and devastating lives. We will not tolerate this.

These sanctions prove our determination to stop those who profit from this activity, hold offenders accountable, and keep dirty money out of the UK. Through our new, expanded Fraud Strategy and the upcoming Global Fraud Summit, we will go even further to disrupt corrupt networks and protect the public from shameless criminals.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2025.

Representatives of the UK and Ugandan governments, farmers, businesses and development partners discussed collaborations to boost productivity for farmers.

The first UK-Uganda Agro-Industrialisation Forum was held on 27 August 2025, with representatives of the UK and Ugandan governments, farmers, businesses and development partners discussing collaborations to boost farm productivity, exports to the UK, regional food trade, and climate resilience.    

Agro-Industrialisation is a pillar of Uganda’s National Development Plan, through which the government seeks to boost agricultural financing, expand agro-industrial infrastructure, enhance access to technology, and strengthen value chains to increase the country’s agro-exports. 

The UK has a long history of collaborating with Uganda’s agricultural sector, for example UK business, Nexus Green, has worked with the Ministry of Water and Environment to roll out irrigation schemes with farmers across the country.

The UK’s 39-million-pound Climate Smart Jobs programme is working with businesses, researchers and financial institutions to boost productivity and the climate resilience of farmers across Northern Uganda and through its Developing Countries Trading Scheme, the UK has made it easier for Ugandan exporters to get their produce on the shelves of UK shops. 

British High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Lisa Chesney said:

The UK is committed to our partnership with Uganda and working together to accelerate sustainable development and mutually beneficial economic growth. We know this goal cannot be realised without transforming agriculture as Uganda’s biggest employer. I’m therefore excited to bring together public and private sector leaders to discuss how the UK and Uganda can build on our deep existing links in the agricultural sector, to increase farm productivity, exports, climate resilience, and support Uganda’s ten-fold-growth ambitions.

The forum is expected to: 

• raise awareness of UK agricultural technologies which can boost productivity and support agro-industrialisation
• link UK and Ugandan agribusinesses to work together 
• boost Ugandan exports to the UK, using the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme and Uganda Airlines’ direct flight 
• identify trade barriers and solutions for policymakers  
• engage media houses to focus on climate change challenges and solutions for the agricultural sector

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2025.

UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, condemns persecution on the basis of religion or belief.

Thank you, Madam Moderator. My name is David Smith and I am very pleased to be here today as UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.   

The United Kingdom remains steadfast in our commitment to promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.  These rights are not isolated – when one is denied, others are weakened. Freedom of Religion or Belief is a cornerstone of this framework, and its protection is essential to building peaceful, inclusive societies.  

But, sadly, we must also confront the reality of rising intolerance. The surge in antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate since October 2023 is deeply concerning. The recent horrific terrorist attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur – the holiest day of the Jewish calendar– is a harrowing reminder that hatred knows no borders.  

Domestically, the UK is working to address hatred and intolerance at the roots. Antisemitism has no place in our or any society, and we have committed £72 million until 2028 to enhance security at Jewish schools, synagogues, and community sites, extending our funding to the Community Security Trust. We also work closely with our Independent Adviser on Antisemitism on the most effective methods to combat antisemitism and advocate for British Jewish communities.  The UK strongly supports the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism and we urge OSCE states to adopt and implement them.  

In the UK, we also continue to support the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme with an annual grant of £29.4m for security of mosques and faith schools. These measures reflect our unwavering commitment to confronting hatred and to upholding the right of every individual to practise their faith freely and without fear.   

Around the world, persecution on the basis of religion or belief is on the rise. According to the charity Open Doors, 380 million Christians alone are persecuted worldwide because of their faith. And as Humanists International’s Freedom of Thought Report underlines, the risks humanists and atheists face globally are significant.   

In July, I launched the UK’s new strategy on FoRB, with the overarching goal of reducing the number of countries where FoRB is curtailed around the world. We will do this through five core strands of work: multilateral advocacy; targeted bilateral engagement; strengthening coalitions for collective action; mainstreaming FoRB across our foreign policy; and increasing civil society engagement. This ambitious strategy reflects our belief that FoRB is central to global stability.  

Finally the UK proudly supports the vital work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in confronting discrimination in all its forms. Thank you, Moderator.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2025.

Item 6

We’d like to thank the LDC group for the efforts that they’ve made in finding alternative text which attempts to address all Members’ concerns, and want to acknowledge the compromises that they have made in doing so. The current draft appears unable to secure consensus from the membership, so clearly further work will be required. The UK remains committed to working with all members to try and help find a solution that is acceptable to all. Thank you.

Item 13

The UK welcomes China’s commitment to no longer seek Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) in new WTO agreements. It’s an important step, a step that we hope will create positive momentum in the ongoing discussions on WTO reform. We know that country classification and S&DT are key cornerstones of this organisation, but there are long-standing calls for reform from developed and developing countries which need to be addressed. We hope that China’s announcement will create positive momentum and we encourage China and others to continue to think ambitiously about further steps that can be taken to progress WTO reform and strengthen the multilateral trading system. Thank you.

Item 14

Business voices at this year’s Public Forum were clear: the Agreement on Electronic Commerce will provide the predictability and stability that they need and will make trade cheaper, faster, fairer and more secure. Recent analysis by the OECD and the WTO has shown that the implementation of the deal can increase global trade by 2.3%, an increase of up to 8.7 trillion US dollars by 2040, with lower and middle income countries set to benefit most. The evidence also shows that each year that the implementation of the deal is delayed, 159 billion US dollars of foregone trade is being left on the table. And yet, while the support and evidence is clear, more than one year on from the conclusion of the negotiations we’ve been unable to incorporate the agreement into Annex 4. We’re open to engaging with all WTO members to ensure that we can all benefit from the agreement as soon as possible, and we hope that our request in December will be considered faithfully. We’ve already missed out on a year’s worth of economic benefits. We shouldn’t delay further.

And before I give up the floor, I also pass on my heartfelt thank you to Jeremy from Australia who’s personally played such a big role in this agreement. We will really miss his wisdom and his guidance on this and so many other issues. Thank you.

Item 17

Thank you, Chair. We would like to thank India for their interest and engagement from the UK’s Article XXVIII process, which concluded on the 1st of October. The UK issued eight extensions to the process over a seven-year period to allow time to address Members’ concerns, resolve negotiations and finalise administrative processes. We are ready to engage India bilaterally and in the most appropriate WTO forums on this matter. Thank you.