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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President of the European Commission [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President of the European Commission [February 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 February 2026.

    The Prime Minister met the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the Munich Security Conference this afternoon.

    Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue work that will bolster our collective defences in the face of growing threats to European security. 

    They agreed that Europe needs to step up and work towards becoming a more European NATO, while protecting our strong transatlantic ties. 

    The Prime Minister shared his high ambition for the future UK-EU partnership. He set out his desire for further integration across the economy, defence and technology – in the interests of greater security, stronger growth and higher living standards for the British people. There is no question where the national interest lies and I will always fight for what’s best for the United Kingdom, he added. 

    They committed to take forward further work ahead of the next UK-EU summit. They also agreed to double down on the existing negotiations to agree a food and drink deal which could lower prices, an emissions trading scheme which could lower bills, and a youth experience scheme to give our young people more opportunities to work and travel abroad.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement by the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands on Alexei Navalny’s death [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement by the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands on Alexei Navalny’s death [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 February 2026.

    Joint Statement by the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands on Alexei Navalny’s death.

    The UK, Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands are confident that Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a lethal toxin. 

    This is the conclusion of our Governments based on analyses of samples from Alexei Navalny. These analyses have conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine. 

    Epibatidine is a toxin found in poison dart frogs in South America. It is not found naturally in Russia. 

    Russia claimed that Navalny died of natural causes. But given the toxicity of epibatidine and reported symptoms, poisoning was highly likely the cause of his death. Navalny died while held in prison, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison to him. 

    Russia’s repeated disregard for international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention is clear. 

    In August 2020 the UK, Sweden, France, Germany, The Netherlands and partners condemned Russia’s use of novichok to poison Alexei Navalny. 

    This followed Russia’s use of novichok in Salisbury in 2018, which led to the tragic death of a British woman, Dawn Sturgess. 

    In both cases, only the Russian state had the combined means, motive and disregard for international law to carry out the attacks. 

    These latest findings once again underline the need to hold Russia accountable for its repeated violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and, in this instance, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. 

    Our Permanent Representatives to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons have written today to the Director General to inform him of this Russian breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention. 

    We are further concerned that Russia did not destroy all of its chemical weapons. 

    We and our partners will make use of all policy levers at our disposal to continue to hold Russia to account. 

    Agreed by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK confirms Russia poisoned Navalny in prison with rare toxin [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK confirms Russia poisoned Navalny in prison with rare toxin [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 February 2026.

    • UK and partners are today exposing the tragic circumstances surrounding Alexei Navalny’s death and have confirmed there was poison found in samples from his body.
    • As Ministers meet at the Munich Security Conference, this news comes on the two-year anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death in a penal colony in Siberia. 
    • UK reporting the poisoning to the Organisation for the prohibition of Chemical Weapons as a flagrant violation by Russia of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and urges Russia to immediately cease this dangerous activity. 

    The UK is today exposing the brutal and barbaric circumstances surrounding the death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison.

    Two years after the Munich Security Conference was shocked by the news of the leading Russian opposition figure’s death, consistent, collaborative work has confirmed through laboratory testing that the deadly toxin found in the skin of Ecuador dart frogs (epibatidine) was found in samples from Alexei Navalny’s body and highly likely resulted in his death.  

    Only the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy this lethal toxin to target Navalny during his imprisonment in a Russian penal colony in Siberia, and we hold it responsible for his death.  

    Epibatidine can be found naturally in dart frogs in the wild in South America. Dart frogs in captivity do not produce this toxin and it is not found naturally in Russia. There is no innocent explanation for its presence in Navalny’s body.  

    Russia has brazenly developed and deployed this poison in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Russia’s egregious and irresponsible actions, including its barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine continue to threaten our shared security. Time and again the Russian state shows the depths it is willing to go to terrorise people and undermine democracy.  

    The UK has pursued the truth of Alexei Navalny’s death with partners from Sweden, France, the Netherlands and Germany. We know the Russian state now used this lethal toxin to target Navalny in fear of his opposition.

    Today’s announcement comes as the Foreign Secretary attends the Munich Security Conference where she met with Yulia Navalnaya to reflect on her husband’s enduring legacy and outlined the painstaking laboratory work that has been carried out since his death in Russian captivity was discovered.

    Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:  

    Since Yulia Navalnaya announced the loss of her husband here in Munich two years ago, the UK has pursued the truth of Alexei Navalny’s death with fierce determination

    “Only the Russian Government had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy this lethal toxin against Alexei Navalny during his imprisonment in Russia. 

    Today, beside his widow, the UK is shining a light on the Kremlin’s barbaric plot to silence his voice.

    Russia saw Navalny as a threat. By using this form of poison the Russian state demonstrated the despicable tools it has at its disposal and the overwhelming fear it has of political opposition.

    The UK has informed the Organisation on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of Russia’s blatant breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Alongside partners the UK will continue to hold Russia to account for its actions.  

    This alarming pattern of behaviour follows the targeting of the Skripal’s with Novichok on the streets of Salisbury in 2018 and Russian troops frequent use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. 

    It is clear Russia did not destroy all its chemical weapons as claimed in 2017, and that it has not renounced biological weapons, as it is obliged to under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.  

    The Kremlin believes that it can develop these weapons covertly and without consequences. They are mistaken. The UK knows what Russia is doing and will expose and combat this activity at every opportunity.  

    The UK continues to stand with civil society and human rights defenders tirelessly to build a better future for Russia despite immense personal risk.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Carrier Strike Group to deploy to North Atlantic to keep UK safe [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Carrier Strike Group to deploy to North Atlantic to keep UK safe [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 February 2026.

    UK will bolster regional security by deploying a Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and High North.

    • UK to deploy Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and High North in 2026 in a major boost for regional security.
    • Powerful show of force with Royal Navy warships, F-35 jets and helicopters to deter Russian aggression and protect vital undersea infrastructure.
    • Deployment will include major exercises alongside US, Canadian, and Northern European allies.

    Britain will send its Carrier Strike Group back to sea in 2026 in a major show of force across the Euro-Atlantic and High North, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence at a time of rising Russian threats in the region.

    Known as ‘Operation Firecrest’ and led by HMS Prince of Wales – the largest warship in the Royal Navy – the UK will deploy the strike group across the North Atlantic and Arctic. It will include world-class Royal Navy warships and RAF fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to bolster defence and security. 

    It comes as Russia’s military activity in the North Atlantic continues to increase. Over the past two years, there has been a 30% increase in Russian navy vessels threatening UK waters. 

    The deployment will see the UK and US working side-by-side on Euro-Atlantic security around the North American East Coast, boosting the historic alliance between the two nations. The Carrier Strike Group will sail across the Atlantic to visit a US port, with US jets also expected to operate from the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales.  

    The deployment will include activity under NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, launched this week, strengthening the Alliance’s security in a region where melting sea ice is opening new routes and increasing threat from hostile state activity. 

    With growing concern over Russian operations in the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap and the increased risk to critical undersea cables and pipelines, the deployment will send a clear message that the UK will always defend its waters, protect critical infrastructure, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its Allies.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    I’m proud that we’re stepping up UK leadership on High North and Atlantic security.

    This deployment will help make Britain warfighting ready, boost our contribution to NATO, and strengthen our operations with key allies, keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

    Operation Firecrest will involve thousands of personnel from all three services of the Armed Forces, demonstrating Britain’s ability to project force wherever it is needed and operate seamlessly within NATO. The Carrier Strike Group will exercise alongside NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1, itself being led by the UK, with HMS Dragon acting as the command ship of the NATO maritime group throughout 2026.

    Parts of the deployment will fall under NATO command, including close cooperation with operational headquarters Joint Force Command Norfolk, which is set to be under the command of a British officer for the first time. 

    The deployment will be carried out alongside key allies including the United States, Canada, and Joint Expeditionary Force nations, building on the UK’s growing defence cooperation in the High North and reaffirming the strength of the historic UK–US defence relationship. 

    This reinforces the UK’s commitment to High North security and builds on the Defence Secretary’s commitment to double the number of UK troops deployed to Norway, from 1,000 to 2,000.  

    It also reaffirms the Government’s commitment to stepping up on defence. The UK has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027 – to ensure that Britain and our allies are safe.

    The deployment follows the success of the UK’s 2025 Carrier Strike Group mission to the Indo-Pacific, which saw over 1,000 F-35 sorties and activity with over 30 nations, and resulted in the UK’s Carrier Strike Group being certified fully ‘mission ready’ and committed to NATO.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 February 2026.

    New acoustic weapon detection system will help keep soldier safe on the battlefield by helping to locate and target positions of enemy gunfire, mortars and explosions.

    • 250 jobs across the country sustained after new contract signed with Leonardo UK.
    • System to be in soldiers’ hands five years ahead of schedule, with rollout to frontline troops within 12 months.
    • 29 UK SMEs to benefit as part of the supply chain, helping to make UK defence an engine for growth.

    British soldiers will be able to more aggressively hunt, detect, and locate hostile gunfire, as well as receive a further layer of protection on the battlefield, with the early delivery of new technology.

    Through SONUS – a new system to detect enemy weapons – UK forces will now have access to a capability that weighs 70% less than its predecessor, making it easier to transport and able to deploy in under three minutes.

    SONUS works by detecting acoustic pressure waves from gunfire, mortars and explosions.

    This form of detection means the system can operate covertly, without emitting an electronic signature, helping troops to avoid enemy fire. It will also enable soldiers to identify targets faster and more accurately, meaning they can take evasive or offensive action more effectively.

    Defence supplier Leonardo UK have been awarded the £18.3 million contract by the Army five-years earlier than originally planned. The works sustains 250 jobs across the UK, notably at Leonardo’s Basildon site, as well as through 29 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

    The procurement is happening as part of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

    Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:

    We’ve accelerated our procurement of this equipment by five years to provide additional layers of safety for our personnel through more durable, lightweight systems in a new era of threat.

    Making defence an engine for growth is a key priority for this government and this deal sustains jobs across the UK, benefits multiple SMEs and boosts our Armed Forces.

    The SONUS platforms will be delivered to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, the British Army’s dedicated Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, over the next 12 months.

    Brigadier M Birch, Senior Responsible Owner for the Land ISTAR Programme, said:

    This investment in Leonardo’s SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating System demonstrates the Army’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to the front line.

    It will significantly enhance our ability to protect our people and respond to emerging threats, ensuring the Army remains ready to meet the challenges of the future.

    Olly Manning, Vice President Mission Systems at Leonardo, said:

    Leonardo has over 40 years of experience in passive acoustic weapon-locating technology, with battle-proven systems that have seen operational use with over 13 armed forces – many of whom are NATO members.

    We are looking forward to working in partnership with the British Army to ensure SONUS provides them with an accurate, robust and reliable passive detection system that will keep our Armed Forces safe – now and into the future.

    The investment helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) – improving warfighting readiness, strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base, and making defence as an engine for growth.

    Through procurement reforms, the Army prioritised fast tracking important weapon-locating systems as part of the Army’s initiative to modernise and double their lethality by 2027. Its accelerated delivery was achieved by the LAND ISTAR Team, working with Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and Task Force RAPSTONE.

  • PRESS RELEASE : FCDO statement on parliamentary elections in Bangladesh [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : FCDO statement on parliamentary elections in Bangladesh [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2026.

    FCDO statement on parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.

    An FCDO spokesperson said:

    We welcome the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh which took place on 12 February 2026. The peaceful electoral process delivered conclusive results. This represents an important step forward in Bangladesh’s ambitions and the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. 

    We look forward to the new government advancing democratic, economic, and social reforms. We will work closely with Bangladesh on our shared priorities of economic growth, migration, climate and security, building on the strong connections between our people.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister to warn that Europe must move away from overdependence on the US, to interdependence – and a more European NATO [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister to warn that Europe must move away from overdependence on the US, to interdependence – and a more European NATO [February 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 February 2026.

    Europe must shift from overdependence on the United States and towards a more European NATO, underpinned by deeper links between the UK and the EU, the Prime Minister will say today.

    Europe must shift from overdependence on the United States and towards a more European NATO, underpinned by deeper links between the UK and the EU, the Prime Minister will say today [Saturday 14 February].

    In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, he will argue that in the face of the looming threat from Russia, the UK’s future prosperity and security rest on closer defence and security ties with Europe, and vice versa.

    The Prime Minister is expected to say:

    We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore. Because we know that, in dangerous times, we would not take control by turning inward – we would surrender it. And I won’t let that happen.

    There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain. That is the lesson of history – and it is today’s reality too.

    […]

    He will say that the US remains an indispensable ally, and they have made an unparalleled contribution to European security. But as their own national security posture evolves, Europe must shift from overdependence to interdependence – forging a new path towards sovereign deterrence and hard power.

    He will add:

    I’m talking about a vision of European security and greater European autonomy, that does not herald US withdrawal but answers the call for more burden sharing in full, and remakes the ties that have served us so well.

    Arguing that Europe’s fragmented defence industrial base has contributed to gaps and duplication – he will say that leaders must focus on collective effort to build a stronger, more integrated defence capability, backed by historic increases in spending.

    British companies already account for over a quarter of the continent’s defence industrial base. They are a job-creating, community-building machine, employing around 239,000 people across the UK –

    We want to bring our leadership in defence, tech and AI together with Europe – to multiply our strengths and build a shared industrial base across Europe which can turbocharge our defence production.

    […]

    As I see it – Europe is a sleeping giant. Our economies dwarf Russia’s, ten times over. 

    We have huge defence capabilities. Yet, too often, all of this has added up to less than the sum of its parts. 

    Across Europe, fragmented industrial planning and long, drawn out procurement mechanisms have led to gaps in some areas – and massive duplication in others. 

    To meet the threats we face, the UK defence budget is rising to record levels – delivering the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War, totalling £270 billion this parliament alone. In his speech, the Prime Minister will also signal the UK’s willingness to participate in innovative joint solutions alongside European partners to accelerate new defence investment and ensure spending increases are used to their full potential.  

    He will also point to the UK’s existing bilateral co-operation – including our £10 billion deal with Norway to supply their Navy with frigates, our £8 billion Typhoon deal with Turkey, and ongoing collaboration with Germany, Italy and France to deliver next generation long-range missiles  – as a signal for what could be achieved by joint work on a greater scale, all while delivering jobs and growth at home.

    He will add:

    We must level with the public and build consent for the decisions we will have to take to keep us all safe. 

    Because, if we don’t, the peddlers of easy answers on the extreme left and the extreme right are ready. They will offer their solutions instead.

    It’s striking that the different ends of the spectrum share so much. Soft on Russia and weak on NATO – if not outright opposed. 

    And determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want and need to build, on the altar of their ideology. 

    The future they offer is one of division and then capitulation. The lamps would go out across Europe once again. But we will not let that happen.

    If we want to repair our social fabric, if we believe in our values, in democracy, liberty, the rule of law, then this is the moment to stand up and fight for them, and prove that they are worth fighting for.

    That’s why we must work together and show that by taking responsibility for our own security. In a volatile world, we help our people look forward not with fear, but with determination – and hope.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Chancellor Merz of Germany and President Macron of France [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Chancellor Merz of Germany and President Macron of France [February 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 February 2026.

    The Prime Minister met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Munich Security Conference this afternoon.

    Addressing the scale of the challenge facing Europe, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together, alongside other partners, to enhance our collective defence and security.

    They agreed that Europe needs to step up and do more to share the burden while protecting the enduring strength of the Euro-Atlantic partnership.

    We must take advantage of our huge defence capability in order to bolster our shared security and deliver for people at home, the Prime Minister added.

    They confirmed their enduring support for Ukraine, especially in the face of Russia’s horrific recent attacks, and the ongoing work to secure a just and lasting peace.

    They looked forward to further discussions in Munich this weekend.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New employer grant to boost quality in early years education [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New employer grant to boost quality in early years education [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 13 February 2026.

    A new package of support will help early years settings strengthen their workforce and improve outcomes for children from the very start.

    Early years staff across the country will be supported to upskill and qualify as teachers through new paid degree apprenticeships, as the government marks the close of National Apprenticeship Week and continues its work to raise the quality of early education and improve children’s life chances.

    The new early years teacher degree apprenticeship will allow 400 staff to earn while they learn, gaining the skills to teach in nurseries and early years settings, improving the quality of early education children receive in the years that matter most. 

    By raising skills and creating clear routes to higher pay, the programme will help make early years a more attractive and rewarding profession, supporting recruitment and retention for the staff who are central to giving children the best start in life.

    High-quality early education and childcare makes a lasting difference to a child’s life. The evidence is clear that the better trained the staff in nurseries and early years settings are, the more children benefit.

    Research show that providers with graduate-level early years staff deliver better outcomes for children. For every 10% increase in settings employing a graduate, the proportion of children reaching a good level of development rises by around 1.2%. 

    Backed by a £3.2 million grant to support employers, the programme will contribute £9,000 per apprentice each year to cover training costs. The government will also provide an additional £8,000 per apprentice to help employers cover backfill, training and National Insurance costs, so that no provider is left out of pocket. 

    Department for Education data shows those with degree-level qualifications in early years typically earn around £5.50 more per hour than those trained to A-level standard, underlining how apprenticeships can boost pay while strengthening quality across the sector. 

    The announcement comes as part of National Apprenticeship Week, when employers, providers and government showcase how apprenticeships unlock opportunity, build skills and drive economic growth. Department for Education analysis estimates apprentices will contribute £25 billion to England’s economy across their working lives. 

    Minister for Early Education Olivia Bailey said: 

    These degree apprenticeships give early years staff the chance to build skilled, well-paid and rewarding careers while continuing to do the vital work they do every day for children and families.

    High-quality early education can change the course of a child’s life. When we back the people who guide children through those first crucial years, we help build their confidence, prepare them for school and set them up to thrive in the years ahead.

    Backing progression and better pay in early years is good for families, good for the workforce and good for our country.

    Completing the apprenticeship gives early years staff the skills and status to lead learning, not just support it, meaning they can work within higher staff-to-child ratios and progress into better-paid, senior roles across early years settings. 

    The £8,000 support grant will be paid to training providers, who will pass the funding directly on to early years settings employing the apprentice. 

    Sophie Hayter, Qualification Lead at Kido Nurseries and Pre-Schools said: 

    This is a significant and welcome step forward for our sector. By investing directly in the professional development of early years practitioners and providing funding to settings to support, the government is recognising the vital importance of highly skilled educators in shaping children’s earliest experiences.  

    This funding not only strengthens workforce quality and sustainability, but also ensures more children can benefit from graduate-level expertise during the most critical stage of their development.

    This investment is part of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy and supports its long-term ambition to have an Early Years Teacher in every setting, helping address the current shortfall of graduate-level staff across the sector. 

    It follows the announcement of a record £9.5 billion investment delivering affordable and high-quality childcare places for families all over the country. Working parents can now save up to £7,500 a year through expanded funded hours, supported by clearer guidance to ensure families are not hit with unexpected charges. Funding rates are also increasing above inflation to help nurseries and childcare providers maintain quality as access expands.  

    More widely, the government is using apprenticeships to unlock opportunity and tackle skills shortages across the country, with a series of announcements this week reinforcing its commitment to high-quality training and clear routes into work. 

    The government has unveiled a series of further measures during National Apprenticeship Week to expand opportunities across the country. 

    As part of the government’s education estates strategy announced this week, construction firms working on school building projects will have to show that they are providing opportunities for apprenticeships and T Level students, creating around 13,000 new opportunities.  

    Further measures announced during National Apprenticeship Week include new pilots to match ‘near miss’ applicants with similar apprenticeship opportunities in their area, alongside a new online platform giving young people clearer, more accessible information about apprenticeships and career outcomes. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK welcomes the agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces to bring an end to the fighting in North-East Syria – UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK welcomes the agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces to bring an end to the fighting in North-East Syria – UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2026.

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

    I will make three points.

    First, echoing the statement of the Council yesterday, the United Kingdom welcomes the agreement reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces in late January to bring an end to the fighting in North-East Syria. 

    The UK has engaged closely with both sides, and we commend the work of the US to help broker this agreement. 

    This is a critical step towards a stable and unified Syria.

    We encourage all involved to commit to de-escalation and to avoid destabilising action. 

    There have been important steps in the implementation of the agreement, including the Presidential decree on the protection of Kurdish rights. 

    It is critical that momentum is maintained, and full integration of SDF military and civilian structures into the Syrian state is carried out in a timely and equitable manner.

    Second, we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation in the region, with significant displacement and disruption of services and humanitarian provision, including in Kobane and Al Hol camp. 

    Now that an agreement has been reached, we call for sustained, unimpeded humanitarian access across the country.

    The UK continues to provide humanitarian support in IDP camps through our implementing partners. 

    We remain concerned by conditions in these facilities, and reports of escaped Daesh detainees.

    We encourage the Syrian Government to develop a robust transition plan for securing and managing the camps, in coordination with the UN and international partners, to mitigate security risks.

    Third, Ms Dureid, you gave us a powerful testimony on the importance of the inclusion of women in political processes.

    We must seize this opportunity to advance women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation and their leadership in all political and decision-making processes in Syria. 

    The UN has an important role to play in supporting this and other elements of Syria’s transition, and we look forward to the swift establishment of the Special Envoy’s Office in Damascus.