Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

This breadth of UN engagement on Syria underlines the importance of the timely movement of the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria to Damascus, as a step towards further improved UN and international support to Syria.

I will make three points.

First, the UK was pleased to host Syrian President al-Sharaa during his visit to London on 31 March. 

This was a significant moment in deepening the relationship between our two countries, which will enable us to make further progress on issues that are pivotal to Syria’s stability, including securing the enduring defeat of Daesh and supporting Syria’s economic recovery.

In this spirit, I also welcome the newly established Breath of Freedom Taskforce that will work on the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria.  

The UK is proud to be a member of the Taskforce and to have announced over $9.5 million of additional funding in direct support of Syrian-led destruction activity during President al-Sharaa’s visit.

 Second, efforts to integrate North-East Syria into the Syrian state are welcome. 

This includes the appointment of Sipan Hamo to Deputy Minister of Defence, and recent prisoner exchanges.

We look forward to continued momentum towards the full integration of military and civil structures, which is essential to help strengthen Syria’s institutions and support social cohesion. 

The completion of all outstanding elections and the formal convening of Syria’s People’s Assembly will be a crucial next step for the political transition.

Finally, we have seen recent positive examples of strengthened collaboration to address ongoing humanitarian needs and move towards longer term recovery. 

This includes the joint visit of USG Fletcher and UNDP Administrator De Croo to Syria, the launch of the UN Humanitarian Response Plan, as well as the Syrian Government’s Statement of Recovery Priorities for International Cooperation. 

The UK will continue to help meet these needs, including for those affected by recent flooding. 

Maintaining safe and unimpeded humanitarian access across all of Syria remains essential to ensure the UN and partners can deliver vital assistance. 

Colleagues, it’s welcome that Syria has remained relatively unaffected by the ongoing regional conflict. Still, we urge the international community to remain focused on supporting progress towards Syria’s economic recovery and long-term stability.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2026.

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

I will focus on three elements that are central to the current situation in Libya. Firstly economic governance, then sovereign resources, then migrants and refugees, and then I’ll look at the way forward.

First, the United Kingdom welcomes the milestone agreement on a unified budget reached on 11 April. 

This provides the opportunity to improve economic governance across Libya and strengthen the independence of its financial institutions. 

We welcome US efforts to facilitate this agreement and urge all parties to implement the budget in full.

We encourage all Libyan stakeholders to use this milestone confidence‑building measure, both to help rebuild trust between institutions and across political divides. 

We urge all sides to engage constructively and overcome the obstacles to progressing the SRSG’s roadmap. 

We reiterate our firm commitment to an inclusive political process, facilitated by the UN, which works towards national elections and safeguards Libya’s unity, sovereignty, and stability.

Second, this Council’s recent renewal of the Libya sanctions regime demonstrates our collective commitment to safeguarding Libya’s sovereign resources. 

Strengthened measures to prevent oil smuggling, alongside continued protections for frozen assets, will help ensure that Libya’s wealth is preserved for the long‑term benefit of the Libyan people. 

We call on all Libyan stakeholders to respect the independence of Libya’s institutions, including the National Oil Corporation and Central Bank of Libya, in order to ensure they can work without interference or politicisation.

Third, we remain deeply concerned by the situation of migrants and refugees in Libya, including reports of trafficking, abuse, and informal detention. 

We welcome the authorities’ ongoing cooperation with international partners, including on voluntary returns. But we urge continued efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and close informal detention centres to strengthen protection of migrants and refugees, uphold human rights, and support safe and dignified returns.

In conclusion, President, inaction is not an option. 

The Libyan people continue to seek unified governance that can provide security, stability, and opportunity. 

We urge all parties to prioritise citizens’ interests, to engage seriously with the SRSG’s roadmap in line with this Council’s Press Statement of 3 March, and to support a credible political process that can deliver enduring peace and shared prosperity.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 April 2026.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

DPRK’s ballistic missile launches on 19 April are another breach of UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), destabilising regional peace and security.

The UK continues to urge DPRK to stop provocations, to engage in meaningful diplomacy and return to dialogue.

STORY

Britain has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in South Sudan, warning that continued fighting is worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis and putting more civilians at risk. In a statement to the UN Security Council, UK Deputy Permanent Representative Archie Young said the violence between the main parties to the peace agreement was causing fresh displacement, serious human rights abuses and further destruction in places including Akobo.

The UK said South Sudan’s leaders must meet their obligations under international law, protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need without obstruction. Young also pointed to reported abuses including conflict related sexual violence and the recruitment of children, saying the crisis could only be resolved through an inclusive political process involving all key parties, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition led by First Vice President Riek Machar.