Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

Industry engagement is speeding up support to the Middle East, enabling faster decisions, improved capability access and stronger defence supplier collaboration

Key points

• The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) is a key forum for strategic engagement, enabling earlier collaboration and fast responses to urgent operational needs
• Early market engagement is providing clearer and insight into available capability, supporting quicker, better informed procurement decisions
• MOD Category Strategies are strengthening  access to critical materials, reducing supply chain delays, and aligning activity with industry through the DIJC Working Group.

Increasing the speed of support through early industry engagement

Meeting urgent operational demands in the Middle East relies on earlier, stronger engagement with industry. The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC), alongside the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group’s newly formed Early Market Engagement team, is central to increasing the speed of support. This work supports the Defence Industrial Strategy commitment to provide clearer, earlier demand signals, ensuring suppliers are better positioned to respond to rapidly evolving requirements.

Through structured engagement, including Strategic Industry Roundtables, MOD has moved beyond traditional procurement approaches to earlier, more open conversations with suppliers. The approach engages industry before requirements are fully defined. By sharing clearer problem statements and operational context, Defence can better understand available capability, test feasibility, and shape delivery options at speed.

Nathan Hinchliffe, Head of Market Engagement, National Armaments Director Group, said:

Early and continuous engagement with industry allows us to adapt to rapidly evolving requirements, understand what is feasible, and speed up capability. By bringing industry into the conversation earlier and broadening participation, we are creating a more partnership-based approach that is already helping delivery happen faster and unlocking tangible results.

Better access and faster delivery

This approach is widening participation beyond established primes, bringing in Small and Medium -Sized Enterprises (SMEs), academia, and non-traditional suppliers based on capability. Insights gathered from these engagements are directly shaping delivery decisions, particularly in areas such as export processes and procurement routes. For example, industry feedback identified barriers in export approvals, prompting accelerated government-to-government mechanisms and closer coordination with the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). As a result, 37 of 47 export licences have been expedited many significantly faster than standard timelines helping priority capabilities to reach partners more quickly.

The Middle East context has also highlighted existing structural pressures in the supply chain, including constraints in critical raw materials and long lead times for key components. In response, NAD is developing Category Strategies to improve access to constrained areas such as Sensors, Rocket Motors, and Energetics. This work improves understanding of assembly capacity and the drivers of long lead times, enabling joint identification of opportunities to compress delivery timelines. Activity is being coordinated across MOD and industry through the DIJC Readiness and Resilience Working Group, ensuring alignment and coherence.

Making this the standard approach

Together, these efforts represent a shift in how Defence works with industry, embedding early, continuous engagement as a core part of delivery. This demonstrates how Defence Reform and the Defence Industrial Strategy are being implemented in practice to improve pace, access, and outcomes for the frontline.

Lessons from Middle East support are now shaping a more sustainable, business-as-usual model, including the development of a Coordinating Authority for Market Engagement. By formalising this approach, MOD aims to create a repeatable and scalable framework that improves industry relationships, supports investment confidence, and ensures rapid and resilient delivery of capability to the warfighter.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

Mr William Longhurst has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Minsk in succession to Mr David Ward.

Mr Longhurst will take up his appointment during July 2026.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: William Jesse Longhurst

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

UK Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Mr President,

Thank you, High Commissioner,

In Iran, the killing of thousands of Iran’s own people, including the continued execution of protesters, lays bare Iran’s longstanding violent suppression of peaceful dissent. This Council condemned that brutality in January, and we remain steadfast in supporting international accountability efforts.

Four years on from your Office’s Xinjiang Assessment, China has not implemented its recommendations. Human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet continue. We support your efforts to understand the impact of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress on ethnic and religious minorities.

The situation in Afghanistan is alarming. The erosion of the rights of women and girls, and religious and ethnic minorities, is deeply troubling. As UN reports make clear, Taliban decrees entrench gender inequality, restrict access to justice, and institutionalise religious discrimination. We condemn these laws.

In Russia, the Kremlin claims to act for the Russian people but crushes dissent and uses repressive legislation to create a climate of fear internally while targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. In Russia, people are behind bars for exercising their human rights.

We must shine a spotlight on Russia to hold it to account for its repression of Russian people – and its continued atrocities in Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

Sri Lanka Core Group Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you Mr President.

This statement is by the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom.

High Commissioner, we thank your Office for its continued work on Sri Lanka.

We acknowledge government efforts to enable communities to commemorate peacefully, and without disruption, the loss of life at the end of the armed conflict in 2009.

While we note some progress in long-standing human rights cases, reports persist of intimidation of witnesses and family members. Meaningful progress in these cases is essential to address impunity and restore public confidence . We also urge necessary reforms to the criminal justice system to expedite prosecutions in other emblematic cases.

We acknowledge developments in certain mass grave investigations. We urge that excavations meet international standards and much greater progress addressing enforced disappearances. Implementation of a credible, inclusive reconciliation process supported by affected communities remains vital.

Ongoing reports of harassment of human rights defenders, especially women defenders, are troubling.

We are also concerned by the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and urge the Government to introduce legislation consistent with its international human rights obligations.

We stand ready to support Sri Lanka in advancing reforms, in line with its international commitments.

Thank you

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

UK thanks Pakistan for their leadership in brokering the US-Iran peace deal and bolsters joint efforts to tackle illegal immigration into the UK.

• Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer uses a visit to Islamabad to thank Pakistan for their leadership in brokering the US-Iran peace deal.  
• Visit underlines longstanding UK support for stability in the Middle East and for Pakistan’s mediation role. 
• Minister bolsters joint UK-Pakistan efforts to tackle illegal immigration into the UK with additional funding to target underlying drivers which entice people to illegally travel to the UK. 

The UK has welcomed the news of a peace deal between the US and Iran, following intense negotiations brokered by partners including Pakistan.  

On the first day of his visit to Islamabad, Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, personally thanked Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, for Pakistan’s role in reaching this significant moment.  

He reiterated the UK’s steadfast support for stability in the Middle East, and made clear the UK would continue to do all it could to work with partners such as Pakistan to shore up this opportunity for a lasting peace. 

During his meetings with senior Pakistani leadership, the Minister also committed an additional £8 million to support joint UK–Pakistan efforts to tackle crime and illegal migration. The funding will be used to strengthen border and visa systems and bring in expertise to help Pakistani law enforcement disrupt people‑smuggling and trafficking networks.

It will also support the return of individuals with no right to remain in the UK and fund community‑based programmes in high‑risk areas to address the root causes of illegal migration. This includes support for improving identity and information‑sharing processes, strengthening law enforcement capability to investigate smuggling networks, and expanding community‑based prevention programmes that reduce vulnerability to exploitation. 

Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, said: 

The news of a US-Iran deal is a hugely significant moment and I am pleased to convey my personal thanks, and that of the UK, to Pakistan during my visit here in Islamabad. Pakistan has played a critical role in brokering this opportunity for regional stability and we stand ready to work together to support a path to lasting peace. 

The UK-Pakistan partnership is critical for safeguarding global, regional and UK national security – working closely together to tackle terrorist threats, visa fraud and serious organised crime.  

We are taking this partnership and our co-operation to a new level, with additional funding to deter illegal migration and target drivers from the source.

We remain grateful for the role Pakistan has played in facilitating negotiations. The UK and our partners will continue to work together to see the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

On his second visit to the country as an FCDO Minister, the Minister will also witness a live demonstration of joint work by law enforcement to tackle illegal migration. Backed by UK support, this work sees Pakistani authorities intercept non-genuine visa holders at Pakistani airports, ensuring only eligible travellers and students travel to the UK.  

This visit will follow meetings between Minister Falconer and Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and the Higher Education Commission to discuss closer practical collaboration to deter visa abuse.  

Deepening the UK-Pakistan partnership is critical for ensuring UK and global security, with the UK providing counter-terrorism assistance to Pakistan to train civilians in investigating and prosecuting terrorist cases. As part of his visit, Minister Falconer met with Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan to discuss the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, encourage a return to dialogue, and offer UK support to tackle the terrorist threat from Afghanistan. 

The UK government is steadfast in its commitment to secure borders and national security. Building and deepening international partnerships is critical in delivering this.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

Mr Paul Simister has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, in succession to Mr Neil Bradley, who has transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

Mr Simister will take up his appointment during June 2026.

Curriculum vitae       

Full name: Paul Richard Simister            

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

Mr President,

We continue to regret that the Commission of Inquiry was established on an open-ended basis. Nevertheless, the UK remains committed to upholding human rights and recognises the value of proportionate scrutiny of allegations of violations and abuses by all parties in Israel and Palestine.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains intolerable. Urgent action is needed to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. All parties must comply with IHL, including on the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, and the principle of distinction.

We are also deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, including continued settler violence, illegal settlement expansion, and ongoing demolitions and displacement. The UK has taken action, including through sanctions and guidance to UK businesses, to deter and counter support for illegal settlements and those responsible for related violence.

The UK continues to support efforts to restore and sustain a ceasefire, including the disarmament of Hamas and an end to its control of Gaza, and a return to a credible political process toward a two-state solution, delivering lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

What steps does the Commission see as most effective in advancing accountability and addressing the drivers of violence?

Thank you.