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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024 – Joint Statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024 – Joint Statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2024.

    Erol Özakçay Príncipe, US Mission to the OSCE, delivers a joint statement on behalf of the UK and six other OSCE participating States to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and my own country, the United States. On July 30th, we will join people around the globe to recognize the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

    This year’s theme implores us all to Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking. In the OSCE region, children are subjected to trafficking in all its forms, including victimization for forced labor, for forced criminality, and for sexual exploitation.

    Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has precipitated the largest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War. Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons continue to face a heightened risk of trafficking. Children, who globally make up an estimated one-third of trafficking victims, are especially vulnerable.  Russia’s actions have separated many Ukrainians from their families and other support networks, increasing their susceptibility to trafficking.

    Across the OSCE region, we must do more. This includes supporting prevention efforts to stop trafficking before it happens and tailoring victim protection with a focus on the needs of the child. It also means increasing the prosecution of those responsible and enhancing partnerships to tackle the transnational nature of the crime.

    We welcome holistic, victim-and survivor-centered, gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and culturally and age-appropriate care for child victims and survivors. We encourage all participating States to further adopt best practices to support them. These include establishing child-friendly spaces for care, tailoring training for service providers, and implementing national referral mechanisms that reduce the risk of re-exploitation and mitigate the lasting effects of human trafficking.

    Addressing emerging trafficking trends and the unique vulnerabilities of children to familial trafficking and extraterritorial sexual exploitation and abuse requires cross-dimensional approaches.

    Mister Chair, all young people deserve a childhood free from exploitation. We strongly support the efforts of the Special Representative Dr Kari Johnstone and her office, as well as the efforts of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the field missions and other teams within OSCE executive structures to combat human trafficking.

    Their work, especially to prevent and respond to trafficking amid the humanitarian crisis stemming from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, remains essential to fulfill our OSCE commitments.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Over £100 million boost to quantum hubs to develop life-saving blood tests and resilient security systems [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Over £100 million boost to quantum hubs to develop life-saving blood tests and resilient security systems [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 26 July 2024.

    Five new quantum research hubs backed by over £100 million of government funding will deliver breakthroughs in healthcare, cybersecurity and transport.

    • Five new hubs to develop practical use of quantum technology in areas like medical scanners, secure communication networks, and next-generation positioning systems
    • the hubs will be based across the UK, in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Oxford, and London, to ensure the whole of the UK benefits from these technologies
    • researchers and businesses will work together to develop this quantum technology, supported by a total of over £100 million which will support delivery of the government’s missions to rebuild Britain

    Faster medical scanners, secure communication networks, and next-generation navigation systems are set to be realised through quantum technology, thanks to £100 million in government funding for five new research hubs.

    Announced by the Science Secretary Peter Kyle today (Friday 26 July), the hubs will bring researchers and businesses together to use their scientific expertise and talent alongside the commercial know-how and resources to develop groundbreaking quantum technologies that will directly impact people’s lives in areas like healthcare, security, and clean energy.

    The new innovations in quantum will not only help deliver the government’s first mission to kickstart economic growth by creating new technologies in hubs that can be sold and exported to drive up GDP, but by innovating in the science and technology industry, it will support the delivery of the government’s missions to rebuild Britain, with quantum technology helping to build a more efficient NHS that is fit for the future and future-proofing cyber security to keep our streets safe.

    The Science Secretary made the announcement on a visit to the University of Glasgow, who will lead one of the hubs aiming to develop quantum technologies for resilient position, navigation and timing systems in national security and critical national infrastructure. This technology can offer enhanced accuracy and reliability in sectors including aerospace, autonomous vehicles, finance, maritime, and agriculture. The hub will also develop smaller, lighter devices that use quantum technology. These devices could be used in transportation systems like roads, railways, and underground networks by replacing GPS and improving systems that help vehicles find their way.

    These new hubs will be centres for advancements in areas like quantum-enhanced blood tests, faster MRI scanners, and new surgical interventions and treatments. This could mean faster detection of diseases like cancer, allowing for earlier medical interventions and potentially saving lives. Ultimately, these breakthroughs could translate to better patient outcomes and easing pressure on our hardworking NHS.

    They will also explore technologies crucial for national security. This could see aircraft operating with improved positioning systems that are resistant to GPS jamming, or submarines able to operate for extended periods without relying on satellites. Additionally, research into a ‘quantum internet’ could create secure and future-proof communication networks, safeguarding sensitive data and communications infrastructure – helping protect citizens and the economy.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, said:

    We want to see a future where cutting-edge science improves everyday lives. That is the vision behind our investment in these new quantum technology hubs, by supporting the deployment of technology that will mean faster diagnoses for diseases, critical infrastructure safe from hostile threats and cleaner energy for us all.

    This isn’t just about research; it’s about putting that research to work. These hubs will bridge the gap between brilliant ideas and practical solutions. They will not only transform sectors like healthcare and security, but also create a culture of accelerated innovation that helps to grow our economy.

    The University of Birmingham will develop advanced sensing technologies with the ability to ‘see the invisible’. This could mean detecting gas leaks before they become a danger, or pinpointing hidden objects that pose safety risks. These advancements will significantly improve public safety and infrastructure maintenance.

    These five new hubs will be led by leading universities across the UK and will work closely with industry partners. This collaboration ensures that research translates into real-world applications that benefit the public. The Quantum Technology Hubs are:

    • The UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing Research Hub (University College London and University of Cambridge): Explores quantum sensors for ultra-sensitive disease diagnosis, including rapid blood tests, and biomedical scanners to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
    • UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (University of Birmingham): Focuses on the development of quantum sensing for practical applications – brain scanners for dementia, cancer diagnostics, and advanced security and infrastructure monitoring.
    • Integrated Quantum Networks Quantum Technology Hub (Heriot-Watt University): Aims to deliver the technologies for a future UK-wide ‘quantum internet’, enabling future-proof cybersecurity and powerful distributed quantum computing.
    • Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (University of Oxford): Develops technologies for building quantum computers, advancing UK capabilities across hardware and software and targeting applications in a wide range of industry sectors.
    • The UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing (University of Glasgow): Creates quantum-based positioning and navigation systems for critical infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and improved indoor and underwater navigation.

    The hubs will be delivered by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with a £106 million investment from EPSRC, the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Research Council, UKRI Medical Research Council, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

    EPSRC Executive Chair Professor Charlotte Deane said:

    Technologies harnessing quantum properties will provide unparalleled power and capacity for analysis at a molecular level, with truly revolutionary possibilities across everything from healthcare to infrastructure and computing.

    The five Quantum Technology Hubs announced today will harness the UK’s expertise to foster innovation, support growth and ensure that we capitalise on the profound opportunities of this transformative technology.

    The government’s investment in these quantum hubs signifies a commitment to developing technologies that directly improve people’s lives. From revolutionising healthcare to bolstering national security, these hubs have the potential to shape a safer, healthier, and more secure future for all.

    Notes to editors

    Supportive quotes from the quantum hubs:

    Professor Gerald Buller, Director of the IQN Hub, said:

    The Integrated Quantum Networks Hub will provide the underpinning research required towards the establishment of a UK-wide quantum network. Harnessing excellent research from a wide range of partners, it will delivering quantum networks at different scales, from local data centres to inter-city links and up to global satellite connections. Establishing a widescale quantum internet could have impact across all sectors, predominantly allowing future-proof security for data communications, as well as linking up quantum computers and sensors with benefits ranging from healthcare to materials research, artificial intelligence and many others.

    Professor Rachel McKendry, Co-Director of the Q-BIOMED Hub, said:

    Q-BIOMED is the first UK Quantum Research Hub dedicated to health and positions the UK at the forefront of this exciting new field globally. We are bringing together an outstanding team of researchers from academia, the NHS, charities, government, regulators and industry to help accelerate advances in quantum for human health and societal good. The ultimate beneficiaries of earlier diagnosis will be patients through faster access to life- saving treatment, and the NHS though more cost-effective models of care. We also hope to grow an innovation ecosystem working with industry and international networks of excellence with leading researchers worldwide.

    Professor Douglas Paul, Project Lead for the QEPNT Hub, said:

    Much of the UK’s critical infrastructure relies on the accurate measurements of time, direction and speed which enable us to stay in constant contact with communications satellites. Currently, those connections are vulnerable to disruption through technical problems or deliberate malicious actions like signal-jamming.

    If those connections are lost for any reason, it would have a huge impact on key industries like energy, finance, communications and transport, causing an estimated economic loss of a billion pounds a day until service is restored.

    This new hub will support the development of new and improved forms of atomic clocks, quantum gyroscopes and quantum accelerometers. Those technologies, integrated into portable and affordable future devices, will help reduce our reliance on satellites by providing new ways to locally measure position, navigation and timing.

    Unlike current technologies, they will work indoors, underground and in all weathers, helping to bolster the UK’s national security and offering new applications for industry.

    Professor Michael Holynski, Director of QuSIT, said:

    We are delighted to form a new Quantum Technology Hub in sensing. Our aim is to accelerate the commercial development of quantum sensing, imaging and timing devices, which will result in real societal and economic benefits.

    We look forward to working closely with our partners, the other new QT Hubs, our funders EPSRC, and the wider academic and industry communities to ensure quantum technologies deliver their best for society.

    Professor Dominic O’Brien, Director of the QCI3 Hub, said:

    The QCI3 Hub brings together industry, academia and government partners to deliver new applications, ideas and innovations that will advance the field of quantum computing, impacting areas such as materials science, chemistry, finance and logistics. The Hub will train a new generation of scientists and engineers, providing the critical skills for a UK quantum economy, whilst also developing the commercial skills needed for those looking to play key roles in the UK’s growing quantum industry. Our rich partner network will ensure that our research is grounded around real-world problems and that we are able to transfer technology out of the lab to make meaningful impact.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Young aviators encouraged to Reach for the Sky in skills and outreach programme [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Young aviators encouraged to Reach for the Sky in skills and outreach programme [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 26 July 2024.

    Giving young people from under-represented groups the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation.

    • Aviation Minister rallies industry to get more people to choose a career in aviation through skills and outreach scheme
    • latest funding adds to £1.5 million funding for skills training, with wider outreach having already propelled 100,000 young people into the sector
    • recipients include 18-year-old aspiring pilot from north London making his dreams of becoming a commercial pilot a reality

    Young people from underrepresented groups will be able to pursue a career in aviation thanks to new government funding for an aviation skills and outreach programme.

    Launched today (26 July 2024) by Aviation Minister, Mike Kane,this latest round of funding for the skills and outreach programme, Reach for the Sky, serves as a way for young people aged 4 to 18 from under-represented groups that may not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation, to do so.

    Now in its third year, organisations can from today apply for a share of £750,000 that will help them deliver outreach programmes which will provide events, taster days, mentorship schemes and educational initiatives with schools and universities – building on the government’s promise to secure the long-term future of aviation and give young people the opportunities they deserve.

    Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:

    Our aviation industry is one of the best in the world and it’s the talented people within it that makes it so successful – the primary purpose of leadership is to create new leaders.

    Having a diverse workforce that can effectively address future challenges – from growing passenger demand to decarbonisation – is crucial and our Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund is inspiring the next generation to be part of this ever-growing travel sector.

    Several barriers hinder people from joining the aviation industry – including limited access to further education, financial constraints, and lack of exposure to career pathways.

    With only 5% of pilots being women, fewer black young people being exposed to aviation opportunities than their white peers, and almost three quarters of airline staff based in London and the South East, both government and industry are working together to ensure the industry is open to everyone.

    Reach for the Sky brings fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table, and this new pot of funding will add to the £1.5 million already provided. Outreach programmes supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) have already helped over 100,000 young people discover a career in aviation.

    Previous recipients of DfT-funded schemes include 18-year-old aspiring pilot Joshua Merchan-Nicholls from Finchley, North London. Since 2021, he has been tirelessly working towards a career as a commercial pilot – a dream he’s had since he was 7 years old – and was recently awarded a gliding scholarship from the Air League as part of the DfT-funded Soaring to Success programme.

    The Air League, aimed at breaking down barriers into the aviation industry, offers a range of scholarships, volunteering programmes and events for people of all backgrounds, and has recently celebrated its 12,000th recipient.  Not only is Joshua hoping to start a pilot training course, but he has also set his heart on helping young people from similar backgrounds achieve rewarding careers in aviation.

    Joshua Merchan-Nicholls said:

    I was 7 when I first imagined myself as a pilot and I’ve followed this dream ever since. Thanks to the Air League, I received a gliding scholarship in 2022, which gave me my first experience of solo flying and made me even more enthusiastic!

    I’m grateful that these organisations exist because they open opportunities for people like me who always wanted to fly and they show the possibility of a career to people who hadn’t considered it before. It’s great that the government is supporting young people like this.

    Claire MacAleese, Chair of the Air League, said:

    For 115 years the Air League has been inspiring the aviators of tomorrow. The Department for Transport’s Reach for the Sky programme is an important part of keeping that momentum going. Reach for the Sky has been pivotal to our Soaring to Success programme over the past 2 years and more than 20,000 state school students have engaged in learning about a career in aviation and our flying days as a result.

    As the industry undergoes a revolution driven by technology, decarbonisation and passenger experience, creating a more inclusive and accessible pathway into the exciting world of aviation is crucial to its continuing success.

    Sophie Jones, Head of Organisational Capability and STEM Sponsor at UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said:

    The aerospace sector will stall without young people with new ideas and innovations joining it.

    The Reach for the Sky Challenge fund brings in people from diverse backgrounds to gain skills and pursue fantastic careers in aerospace.

    As the regulator we are committed to inspiring the next generation to get their feet off the ground and Reach for the Sky helps fund our extensive STEM program.

    Applications for the fund are now open until September 2024 and decisions will be agreed upon by a joint panel of DfT and the CAA – which administers the fund on DfT’s behalf.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with China’s Director of Foreign Affairs Commission Office and Foreign Minister [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with China’s Director of Foreign Affairs Commission Office and Foreign Minister [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2024.

    On 26 July, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy met China’s Director of Foreign Affairs Commission Office and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Vientiane, Laos.

    They had a constructive first discussion and the Foreign Secretary outlined this government’s vision for a long-term, consistent and strategic approach to UK-China relations. He set out that the government would cooperate where we can, compete where needed and challenge where we must. He made clear the UK would always stand firm in prioritising our national security, as well as supporting human rights.

    The Foreign Secretary welcomed the opportunity to work with a fellow member of the UN Security Council and the world’s second largest economy to combat global challenges like climate change.

    The Foreign Secretary underlined the UK’s ironclad commitment to Ukraine and urged China to prevent its companies supporting Russia’s military industrial complex which poses a material threat to international security and prosperity.

    Both sides agreed to work towards building long-term communication channels.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Energy Secretary convenes COP leaders past, present and future to offer UK support and leadership in responding to the climate crisis [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Energy Secretary convenes COP leaders past, present and future to offer UK support and leadership in responding to the climate crisis [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 July 2024.

    The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero met with COP leaders in London to discuss the need for greater urgency in tackling the climate crisis.

    On Friday 26 July, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero met with the Rt Hon Sir Alok Sharma, President for COP 26, HE Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President Designate and HE Ana Toni, National Secretary for Climate Change from Brazil as COP 30 Presidency. This was part of a visit that included a roundtable with His Majesty King Charles III to discuss the need for greater urgency in tackling the climate crisis.

    The Secretary of State welcomed the outcomes achieved through the UAE consensus, including the historic agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, and offered full support to Azerbaijan and Brazil for their upcoming COP 29 and COP 30 Presidencies. He underlined the UK’s determination to act as a global leader and reliable partner on climate action. Emphasising the importance of all countries, especially major emitters, taking action to implement the outcomes of the Global Stocktake and bringing forward 1.5°C aligned Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as soon as possible, he offered to share the UK’s experiences from COP 26 in supporting ambition in NDCs. He further emphasised the UK’s commitment to working together with all Parties to agree an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance and accelerate the necessary reforms of the global financial architecture.

    The Secretary of State underlined the importance of the UK’s renewed domestic leadership in encouraging ambitious action abroad. Climate and clean energy are at the heart of the new government’s agenda. The UK is taking immediate action to unlock investment in onshore wind, begin a solar revolution, and setting out our plans for Great British Energy.

    The Secretary of State expressed the UK’s utmost concern at the growing scale and severity of climate impacts around the world, especially in developing countries, and emphasised our full commitment to working with the Troika and all Parties in this critical decade to deliver increased ambition to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, keep 1.5°C in reach and support the most vulnerable.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands – Paul Turner [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands – Paul Turner [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2024.

    Mr Paul Turner has been appointed British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands in succession to Mr Thomas Coward who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Turner will take up his appointment during January 2025.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Paul Robert Turner

    Year Role
    2020 to 2024 World Bank, Uganda – secondment from FCDO
    2017 to 2020 Kampala, DFID, Senior Private Sector Adviser
    2016 Pretoria, FCO, Head of UK Prosperity Fund for Southern Africa
    2013 to 2016 Harare, DFID, Head of Economic Livelihoods
    2011 to 2013 Tunis, UK Representative to African Development Bank
    2005 to 2011 Brussels, EU Afghanistan Unit – secondment
    2002 to 2005 Skopje, North Macedonia, Deputy Head of EU Agency for Reconstruction
    2000 to 2002 Pristina, Head of DFID Kosovo
    1998 to 2000 DFID, China desk, East Asia Directorate
    1997 to 1998 DFID, Assistant Private Secretary to Secretary State for International Development
    1997 Home Office, Assistant Private Secretary to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
    1993 to 1996 Home Office, Northern Ireland section
  • PRESS RELEASE : Scotland to have world’s first peatland UNESCO World Heritage site [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Scotland to have world’s first peatland UNESCO World Heritage site [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2024.

    The Flow Country has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

    Site to become world’s first peatland bog to gain world heritage status
    Becomes Scotland’s first natural world heritage site, joining the likes of the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef
    The Flow Country has become the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been granted the accolade today, at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee.

    The landscape, which is widely considered to be the largest area of blanket bog in the world covering around 1,500 square miles in Caithness and Sutherland, has become the UK’s 35th UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the world’s first ever peatland site to gain world heritage status.

    The site will also become Scotland’s first natural world heritage site and joins a very exclusive list of natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including The Grand Canyon and The Great Barrier Reef.

    It will be the seventh Scottish site, joining St Kilda and the Forth Bridge, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Scotland.

    Due to the nature of the site, this listing is also expected to bring new opportunities for local people through the creation of green jobs in landscape restoration and conservation.

    The Flow Country is home to a wide range of wetland and moorland species, including many birds, such as the red-throated diver, golden eagle and short-eared owl and has been considered to be of outstanding universal value due to its remarkable diversity, the home that it provides for these species and the role it plays in storing approximately 400 million tonnes of carbon in the north of Scotland.

    The news follows the announcement of Gracehill in Northern Ireland receiving World Heritage Status, making this the second new addition to the list of UK World Heritage Sites today.

    UK Government Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

    It is fantastic to see the UK adding two new sites to the World Heritage List in the space of a day – of historical and natural significance respectively.

    The Flow Country is one of our most precious resources, as a vital habitat for many species and a key site for carbon capture that continues to inform our understanding of how blanket bog can be used to help mitigate climate change.

    It is right to recognise this truly inspiring landscape and I look forward to working closely with counterparts in Scotland to showcase this important addition to our UK World Heritage Sites.

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

    Scotland has a rich history of UNESCO World Heritage sites with six spread across our country from Heart of Neolithic Orkney to New Lanark, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh to St Kilda and I am delighted the Flow Country has become Scotland’s seventh.

    Thanks to a strong endorsement from the UK Government the Flow Country, which has international importance as a habitat and for the diverse range of rare and unusual breeding birds it supports, is now the first peatland site on the World Heritage list.

    Acting Scottish Government Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said:

    This is a truly momentous day for Caithness and Sutherland, and indeed Scotland as a whole.

    The Flow Country is an area of truly outstanding natural beauty and its diverse ecosystems and peatlands are a vital part of our efforts to combat climate change and nature loss. This new global prominence will help preserve the area for many generations to come.

    I want to congratulate the Flow Country Partnership and everyone who has worked so hard towards this tremendous achievement. Their passion and determination has not only elevated the Flow Country to UNESCO World Heritage Status, but has ensured its protection far into the future.

    Bid lead for the Flow Country World Heritage Site project and NatureScot Head of Operations for the North of Scotland, Graham Neville, said:

    World Heritage status for the Flow Country is a momentous moment for Scotland’s people and their beloved landscape. This successful bid is testament to the hard work and determination of the Flow Country World Heritage project team as well as community members, scientific experts, businesses, landowners and public bodies from across the Flow Country who have been so generous with their time, knowledge and expertise to shape the bid for the benefit of the whole area. World Heritage Site status will lead to greater understanding of the Flow Country and raise the profile of Scotland’s peatlands globally for their value as biodiverse habitats and important carbon sinks. It is a wonderful recognition of the expert stewardship of farmers and crofters in maintaining this incredible ecosystem as a natural legacy for future generations.

    Professor Mike Robinson, Non-Executive Director, Culture at the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO says:

    We are delighted that the Flow Country has been inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value. World Heritage status recognises the global importance of the Flow Country and its peat bogs, not only as an important ecosystem for wildlife but also, through their carbon storage, as a critical defence against the impact of climate change. In this sense, World Heritage and the protection afforded to it will contribute directly to sustainable development.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    The UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for meeting the requirements of the World Heritage Convention within the UK. This includes maintaining and reviewing the Tentative List of sites, formally nominating new sites, and ensuring existing sites are conserved, protected and given a life in the community.

    The other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland are St. Kilda, Edinburgh Old Town and New Town, The Heart of Neolithic Orkney, New Lanark, The Antonine Wall and The Forth Bridge.

    The first UNESCO World Heritage Sites were announced in 1986. The full list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK and Overseas Territories are:

    Cultural:

    • Blaenavon Industrial Landscape (2000)
    • Blenheim Palace (1987)
    • Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church (1988)
    • Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (1986)
    • City of Bath (1987)
    • Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (2006)
    • Derwent Valley Mills (2001)
    • Durham Castle and Cathedral (1986)
    • Frontiers of the Roman Empire (1987,2005,2008)
    • Gorham’s Cave Complex (2016)
    • Heart of Neolithic Orkney (1999)
    • Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda (2000)
    • Ironbridge Gorge (1986)
    • Maritime Greenwich (1997)
    • New Lanark (2001)
    • Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (1995)
    • Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church (1987)
    • Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal (2009)
    • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2003)
    • Saltaire (2001)
    • Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales (2021)
    • Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (1986)
    • Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey (1986)
    • The English Lake District (2017)
    • The Forth Bridge (2015)
    • The Great Spa Towns of Europe (2021)
    • Tower of London (1988)
    • Jodrell Bank Observatory (2019)

    Natural:

    • Dorset and East Devon Coast (2001)
    • Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast (1986)
    • Gough and Inaccessible Islands (1995,2004)
    • Henderson Island (1988)

    Mixed:

    • St Kilda (1986,2004, 2005)
  • PRESS RELEASE : The fourth European Political Community summit held at Blenheim in the United Kingdom – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The fourth European Political Community summit held at Blenheim in the United Kingdom – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 July 2024.

    Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown says the fourth European Political Community summit held in the UK demonstrated strong commitment to Ukraine and on shared challenges like migrant smuggling and energy security.

    Thank you, Chair. I would like to provide a brief readout of the meeting of the European Political Community last week at Blenheim Palace. At that summit, the Prime Minister reaffirmed our commitment to security, freedom, democracy and the rule of law – and to work with our European partners to meet the challenges we all face.

    As you know, for the first time the OSCE Secretary General was invited to attend. Unfortunately, it was not possible for her to attend, but I hope that demonstrates our commitment to this institution and to ensuring a coherent approach to shared challenges from all the countries and institutions of Europe.

    Front and centre of the Summit was clear and steadfast support for Ukraine among European leaders, who reiterated their commitment to do whatever it takes in the face of continued Russian aggression. We were honoured to host President Zelenskyy, to whom the Prime Minister personally committed the UK’s continued and deep support.

    For the first time, migration was on the agenda with a roundtable discussion chaired by Italy and Albania. The UK was pleased to agree new deals with Slovakia and Slovenia to tackle organised crime; to increase the UK presence at Europol, playing our full part in the European Migrant Smuggling Centre; and to announce £84 million in support to tackle upstream migration.

    Leaders also agreed on the challenge of increasing energy security through a roundtable chaired by Norway and Slovenia. There was a focus on resilience and interconnection, with particular emphasis on assistance to Black Sea countries, as well as discussing novel energy projects, sharing expertise, and accelerating the pace of electrification.

    Leaders did not lose sight of the fact that European security is also under threat beyond Ukraine. A roundtable also discussions challenges around Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference. The margins of the Summit also saw a meeting of the Friends of Moldova Group which underlined the international commitment to Moldova’s sovereignty and democracy.

    Colleagues, the UK was immensely proud to host the EPC last week, and we look forward to continuing the work of revitalising our relationships with our friends and partners across the globe, and particularly in this room, as we place European security at the forefront of our foreign and defence priorities. And for the UK it was an opportune moment to make clear our government’s focus on resetting our relationships with our neighbours and friends across Europe.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Gracehill Moravian Church in County Antrim becomes UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Gracehill Moravian Church in County Antrim becomes UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2024.

    Moravian Church settlement in the Georgian village of Gracehill, Northern Ireland has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

    Settlement becomes Northern Ireland’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site and the 34th UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK
    Joins the likes of the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon National Park and Machu Picchu on the World Heritage List
    The Gracehill Moravian Church settlement in County Antrim has become the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee today.

    The site was nominated as part of a transnational effort led by the United States to achieve World Heritage Status for Moravian Church settlements founded in the 18th century, alongside other sites in Herrnhut, Germany and Bethlehem in the United States.

    Each of these settlements exemplifies the Moravian Church’s spiritual, societal, and ethical ideals that aimed at the creation of a religious community and found expression in a distinctive style of town planning and architecture.

    Founded in 1759, Gracehill includes distinctive Moravian buildings, including a particular type of congregation building known as Gemeinhaus, a church, choir houses and a cemetery. There is an active congregation present at the site today, who continue Moravian traditions.

    Gracehill is the best preserved example of a settlement representing the Moravian ideal in the UK and Ireland and the only example built on the island of Ireland, with its urban plan clustered around a central green square.

    It becomes Northern Ireland’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the first being Giant’s Causeway, which was listed in 1986.

    UK Government Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

    Gracehill has been rightly cherished by the local community since its foundation in 1759 as a town built around the central values of equality and tolerance and I am glad to see it gain the recognition that it deserves.

    I look forward to working together with the international community and my counterparts in Northern Ireland to celebrate the Gracehill site and ensure the Moravian traditions live on to be passed onto future generations.

    The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson, said:

    I am delighted to see the Moravian Church settlement becoming a new member of the globally renowned list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

    This is an exciting moment for the community of Gracehill and a huge achievement for everyone involved in the bid. The significance of it is carried throughout Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.

    Northern Ireland has a rich heritage and is home to many culturally significant sites, and I have no doubt this accolade will encourage more visitors to come and see them for themselves.

    Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said:

    I am delighted that the cultural importance of Gracehill to the world has been recognised through the UNESCO designation.  In recent years, my department has worked with the Gracehill community to maintain the village and develop their World Heritage bid. We have supported listed building repairs and provided advice and, since the US formally decided to proceed in 2021, we have contributed to the nomination costs. Gracehill is a special place with an active community and this recognition of a small village on the world stage is a great endorsement, helping to remind us all that Northern Ireland has a fascinating heritage that is well worth exploring.

    Dr David Johnston, Chair of Gracehill Trust said,

    The prize of a cultural World Heritage listing is a huge good news story for Northern Ireland as a whole, something that everyone can share in and be proud of, with the potential to promote understanding and reconciliation and bring social, economic and cultural benefits right across the region now and for generations to come.

    We are fortunate and thankful to have had the enthusiastic support of the whole community, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as the enthusiasm of our international partners.

    Professor Mike Robinson, Non-Executive Director, Culture at the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO said:

    We are delighted that the Moravian Church Settlements, including Gracehill in Northern Ireland, Herrnhut in Germany, and Bethlehem in the United States of America, have been inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of their Outstanding Universal Value. Along with Christiansfeld, a Moravian Church Settlement (Denmark) that was inscribed onto the World Heritage List in 2015, the inscription not only represents the international reach of the Moravian community, but also highlights the opportunities, where appropriate, for World Heritage transnational-serial nominations to bring communities together through their shared histories.

    Notes to editors:

    The UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for meeting the requirements of the World Heritage Convention within the UK. This includes maintaining and reviewing the Tentative List of sites, formally nominating new sites, and ensuring existing sites are conserved, protected and given a life in the community.

    The first UNESCO World Heritage Sites were announced in 1986. The full list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK and Overseas Territories are:

    Cultural:

    • Blaenavon Industrial Landscape (2000)
    • Blenheim Palace (1987)
    • Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church (1988)
    • Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (1986)
    • City of Bath (1987)
    • Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (2006)
    • Derwent Valley Mills (2001)
    • Durham Castle and Cathedral (1986)
    • Frontiers of the Roman Empire (1987,2005,2008)
    • Gorham’s Cave Complex (2016)
    • Heart of Neolithic Orkney (1999)
    • Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda (2000)
    • Ironbridge Gorge (1986)
    • Maritime Greenwich (1997)
    • New Lanark (2001)
    • Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (1995)
    • Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church (1987)
    • Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal (2009)
    • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2003)
    • Saltaire (2001)
    • Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales (2021)
    • Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (1986)
    • Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey (1986)
    • The English Lake District (2017)
    • The Forth Bridge (2015)
    • The Great Spa Towns of Europe (2021)
    • Tower of London (1988)
    • Jodrell Bank Observatory (2019)

    Natural:

    • Dorset and East Devon Coast (2001)
    • Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast (1986)
    • Gough and Inaccessible Islands (1995,2004)
    • Henderson Island (1988)

    Mixed:

    • St Kilda (1986,2004, 2005)
  • PRESS RELEASE : The Russian Federation is increasing its malign activities and interference – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Russian Federation is increasing its malign activities and interference – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 July 2024.

    Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown underlines the increased scale and intensity of the hybrid threat now faced by many participating States.

    Thank you, Madam Chair. The threat from the Russian Federation comes in many forms, so let me thank France for tabling this item, and allowing participating States the opportunity to put on record just how reckless it is becoming. As Russia continues to pursue its devastating war in Ukraine at ever greater cost to Ukraine and itself, Russia’s operations abroad have become more diverse and more widespread.

    Russia’s use of disinformation and other malign tactics is well documented – deployed to advance its influence, sow discord and undermine global rules and norms. This is pervasive across the globe, but particularly in its near abroad. Alongside the US and Canada, the UK recently condemned Russian attempts to undermine Moldova’s democratic institutions in the leadup to the October presidential elections, and the referendum on Moldova’s EU membership. The UK will continue to stand firm with our friends, against Russia’s persistent attempts to undermine sovereignty and democratic processes, and to provide support to bolster regional resilience.

    In Europe, participating States have seen buildings burned down. In May, five British men were arrested and charged in relation to an arson attack in London. Two of these individuals were arrested and charged under the UK’s new National Security Act including offences relating to a foreign intelligence service – with the Crown Prosecution Service confirming Russia as the foreign state involved in the sabotage incident. Similar incidents and arrests have taken place in Poland, Czechia, and Latvia, which we assess to be part of a covert and coordinated sabotage campaign, directed by Russia. It is clear that those behind this activity do not care who bears the consequences of their recklessness.

    This year, there have been numerous reports of assassination plots allegedly prepared by Russia, including one which allegedly resulted in the death of a Russian defector, who was shot dead in Spain. This is nothing new; it brings to mind the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal by the GRU, which led to the death of an innocent British civilian in 2018, or the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. What is new, is the scale and intensity of the hybrid threat now faced by so many participating States, signalling an increase in Russia’s readiness to use covert and illegal methods abroad to further its agenda, posing the most acute threat to European security and to global stability.

    Such aggression requires a robust and collective response from all participating States who seek to uphold the core values of this organisation. We must make clear to President Putin and the Russian authorities that attempts to undermine our support for Ukraine will not work, by maintaining the assistance it urgently needs to defeat Russia on the battlefield. And we must work together to deny Russia’s attempts to operate inside our own borders, whether directly or through its proxies.

    The UK has taken action to expel the Russian Defence Attaché, an undeclared GRU officer, and is working intensively to make the UK the hardest possible operating environment for Russian hybrid attacks. Such measures are vital to prevent Russia from destabilising those who stand in its way, and to send a clear message that we will not falter in the face of its belligerence. Thank you.