Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Consultation launched to ban wet wipes containing plastic [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 October 2023.

A consultation on banning wet wipes containing plastic across the UK has been launched today under plans to tackle plastic pollution and clean up waterways.
UK-wide consultation launched to ban wet wipes containing plastic

Proposed ban will tackle plastic pollution in marine environment and reduce microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants

Proposal delivers on the UK Government’s Plan for Water, delivering more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement across the water system

A consultation on banning wet wipes containing plastic across the UK has been launched today under plans to tackle plastic pollution and clean up our waterways (14 October 2023).

A key measure in the UK Government’s Plan for Water, the ban forms part of the government’s ongoing work to ensure there is more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement across the water system, helping tackle plastic and microplastic pollution and improve water quality.

Wet wipes containing plastic break down into microplastics over time, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Banning wet wipes containing plastic would help alleviate this issue, as well as reducing the volume of microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants when wrongly flushed.

Alternatives to wet wipes containing plastic are already available, with a number of major brands removing plastic from wet wipes. Boots, Tesco and Aldi are amongst major retailers who have stopped selling wet wipes containing plastic. The ban would build on this action from retailers to make only plastic-free wet wipes available to consumers.

The plans have been set out in a joint consultation with the devolved administrations which has been launched today to seek views on banning the manufacture, supply and sale of plastic-containing wet wipes across the UK.

It recognises public calls for action to tackle plastic pollution in waterways, and widespread public support for the proposed ban. A 2021 Call for Evidence in England found that 96% of respondents supported a ban on wet wipes containing plastic.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

Wet wipes containing plastic are unnecessary and are polluting our environment.

Today’s plan shows we will continue to tackle plastic pollution in our waterways, building on banning microbeads in personal care products to taking billions of plastic bags out of circulation.

The consultation delivers on Defra’s commitments set out in the Plan for Water this year to launch a public consultation on the ban and work with industry to ensure plastic-free alternatives are widely available, with some retailers already taking action.

It also forms part of the Government’s wider world-leading action to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution and eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.

David Henderson, Water UK Chief Executive, said:

We welcome the Government’s plan to ban plastics from wet wipes. When flushed, these wipes cause fatbergs and other blockages that trigger overflow spills into rivers or flood homes and businesses.

As our Bin the Wipe campaign makes clear, these products should never be flushed. We can all do our bit by putting wet wipes in the bin, rather than flushing them.

Natalie Gourlay, Head of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) at Boots UK said:

Boots removed all wet wipes containing plastic from sale in stores and online earlier this year as part of our long-standing commitment to sustainability and working with suppliers and customers to reduce the use of plastic.

We are pleased to see the Government now taking action in this area as collectively we all have a responsibility to protect the environment and enable a healthy planet.

The UK Government and devolved administrations have already banned microbeads in rinse-off personal care products. Additionally, the UK Government introduced the Plastic Packaging Tax in April 2022, a tax of more than £200 per tonne on plastic packaging manufactured in or imported to the UK that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic.

Elsewhere, the Government’s hugely successful single-use carrier bag charge has cut sales in the main supermarkets by more than 98% since its introduction in 2015, taking billions of bags out of circulation.

Today’s announcement follows action by the Environment Secretary, who wrote to producers and retailers of wet wipes earlier in the year regarding the labelling of wet wipes as ‘flushable’.

Wet wipes contribute to 94% of sewer blockages, which can lead to damage to properties and can result in sewage-related litter entering the environment. The Environment Secretary has told producers that labels saying ‘flushable’ or ‘fine to flush’ may encourage consumers to dispose of wipes down the toilet, rather than disposing of them responsibly in the bin.

The government continues to support Water UK’s ‘Bin the Wipe’ campaign to address the environmental and drainage impacts of flushing wet wipes, in line with commitments in the Plan for Water.

The consultation will run for 6 weeks, until the 25th November 2023.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK research into mine detecting drones could change land warfare [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 October 2023.

Drones equipped with cutting-edge sensors to detect ground mines and explosives are being researched by UK scientists and could alter the face of land warfare.
New drone technology could significantly reduce the threat and effectiveness of ground mines.

Potential to greatly increase protection for Armed Forces personnel on the battlefield.

Trials took place in conjunction with NATO allies.

Scientists and engineers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are conducting crucial research into the new drone technology, which would see mined areas cleared faster and more safely, ramping up protection for Armed Forces personnel.

Maintaining freedom of movement and mobility at pace for the Armed Forces is vital for safety and mission effectiveness and this is significantly reduced by surface laid mines, explosives or buried munitions.

The Dstl team with industry partners participated in trials with NATO allies in Spain and at the Suffield Research Centre in Canada. Advances in uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and low size, weight and power (SWaP) sensing have led to the development of innovative concepts for explosive threat detection by combining these technologies and systems.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge MP said:

“We’ve all seen the threat to safety and military advancement that mines can still pose.

“The UK and our NATO allies are spearheading research into this technology, which has the potential to not only enhance protection for our Service Personnel, but also speed up battlefield progress.”

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Chief Delivery Officer, Matt Chinn said:

“Converging the latest drone and sensing technologies could give us the ability to detect and destroy deadly mines and explosives without putting lives at risk.

“It could also give us the ability to clear mined areas better, quicker and cheaper – allowing military operations or humanitarian missions to proceed.”

Researching technologies such as mine-detecting drones has the potential to change the approach to land warfare, by significantly reducing the threat and effectiveness of ground mines.

Technologies that can be used to detect these threats in advance can be vital in determining the next course of action on the battlefield.

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Chief Executive, Dr Paul Hollinshead said:

“This is Dstl working with UK industry and international partners at its best. Highly innovative, developing new concepts, sharing expertise, and harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to save lives.”

The two-week NATO trials aimed to give international and academic organisations the opportunity to showcase their UAV-mounted sensor concepts and to share ideas, knowledge, and solutions. The resulting experiments demonstrated a range of modified, novel and bespoke sensing technologies.

The UK system performed well under the trials, and the intention is to use the results of the assessments to prioritise the next stages of research and development. As part of an overarching research project commissioned by MOD’s Chief Scientific Advisor, it will be developed over the next decade into the front-line command funded equipment programmes, such as the Ground Area Reconnaissance and Assurance (GARA) project.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK government continues to facilitate British nationals leaving Israel and Gaza [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 October 2023.

The first UK government facilitated flights arrive in the UK and Cyprus.
- first UK government facilitated flights arrive in the UK and Cyprus with another successfully departing Israel on Saturday afternoon
- further government flights are planned with specialist teams deployed to support vulnerable British nationals
- British nationals in Gaza told to be ready if the Rafah crossing opens
Three UK government facilitated flights have now departed Israel for the UK and Cyprus, with more expected in the coming hours.

Two UK government Rapid Deployment Teams (RDT) and British Red Cross responders have also been deployed to support vulnerable British nationals wanting to leave on the flights.

The UK is also working with Israeli air controllers and the air industry to try to maintain commercial air links and keep a range of transport options under review. While commercial flights remain limited, a small number of routes between Israel and Europe, including the UK, are open.

Earlier this week, the government advised British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, to register their presence with the Foreign Office to receive the latest updates on departure options and updates on the security situation.

The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to parts of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to advise against all but essential travel to all other parts.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, said:

The UK is committed to supporting British nationals in Israel and Gaza following this brutal terror attack by Hamas.

The safety of all British nationals is our priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our advice and register their presence so we can get in touch.

In addition to arranging flights from Israel, officials are working with the Egyptian authorities to facilitate British and dual nationals, and their spouses and children, leaving Gaza via Rafah. The Prime Minister spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi this week about the situation at the Rafah border crossing, while the Foreign Secretary is in contact with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry.

The Israeli military announced on the morning of 13 October that the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours. British nationals in Gaza should follow this advice and have been messaged by the FCDO to ensure they are on alert to be ready if the crossing opens.

The UK continues to call for unimpeded humanitarian access to civilian populations. Vital humanitarian supplies, including food, water and medical supplies necessary for survival must be able to reach innocent civilians.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Defence deployed a significant support package to the region, including RAF surveillance aircraft and 2 Royal Navy ships, to support regional stability and help prevent escalation.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New appointments to strengthen energy regulator’s work [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 13 October 2023.

Five appointments to Ofgem’s board will bolster their consumer protection work.
Five new members to join Ofgem’s governing body

New members come with experience in consumer protection, competition and regulation

Non-Executive Directors will strengthen regulator’s work to support cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy

New Non-Executive Directors have today (Friday 13 October 2023) been announced to join Ofgem as the government strengthens the energy regulator’s work to protect consumers.

Responsible for bringing independent oversight and support, the new Non-Executive Directors will help guide Ofgem’s work on current and future challenges – from restoring resilience in the energy market to maintaining progress towards the UK’s net zero goals.

The 5 new Non-Executive Directors are:

Warren Buckley, outgoing Chair of Citizens Advice

Alena Kozakova, Director at E.CA Economics

Graham Mather, President of the Infrastructure Forum

Jonathan Kini, Non-Executive Director at Ofwat

Dr Tony Curzon Price, former advisor at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Cabinet Office and Number 10

As the government takes a more pragmatic and proportionate approach to net zero, it will work closely with Ofgem and the new Non-Executive Directors to deliver a more flexible and innovative retail market that can provide cheaper, cleaner energy to families.

This includes comprehensive new reforms to energy infrastructure, helping to speed up planning for the most nationally significant projects and giving every community a say.

Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said:

Protecting households from high energy bills and supporting them towards using cleaner, cheaper energy is integral to our plan for reaching net zero.

Bringing a rich breadth of experience in consumer protection, and areas including competition and regulation, Warren, Alena, Graham, Jonathan and Tony will be strong new additions to Ofgem’s Board.

I look forward to working with them on our shared mission to champion the rights of energy consumers and build an energy market fit for the future.

The new appointees will further enhance Ofgem’s work to support gas and electricity consumers, ensuring their energy needs are met on the path to net zero.

With energy prices down by 55% from their peak, the government will continue to support the most vulnerable through winter – on top of the £40 billion already provided last year to cover around half a typical household’s energy bill.

The 5 appointees, who take up their posts in November, will work with existing Non-Executive Directors Myriam Madden and Barry Panayi, as well as Ofgem’s new Chair and Executive Committee.

Notes to editors

The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA), or the Ofgem Board, comprises non-executive and executive members, and a non-executive chair. Members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Warren Buckley has spent over 30 years in consumer and customer service leadership roles across the corporate and charity sectors. He has led large service delivery and retail teams at Vodafone, Lucent Technologies, Avaya, Orange, BT, Openreach, HSBC and Thames Water. He is the outgoing chair of National Citizens Advice, having served on the board for 11 years and was previously the chair of the Business Disability Forum.

Alena Kozakova is a competition and regulatory economist with experience spanning the public and private sectors, and currently co-leads the London practice of E.CA Economics, an antitrust consultancy. She was previously the Chief Economist at Ofwat. She worked for the predecessors of the Competition and Markets Authority, the Competition Commission and the Office of Fair Trading, and for the Directorate General for Competition at the European Commission. She also worked at Frontier Economics and in the consumer body Which?.

Graham Mather has served on the Monopolies & Mergers Commission and the Competition Appeal Tribunal, as well as on the boards of the regulators Ofcom and the Office of Rail & Road. With experience in competition, regulation, law and economics, he was appointed CBE for services to economic regulation, competition and infrastructure development. He is President of the Infrastructure Forum. Earlier in his career he was General Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Head of the Policy Unit at the Institute of Directors, as well as a Member of the European Parliament from 1994 to 1999 serving on its Economic & Monetary Affairs Committee.

Jonathan Kini most recently worked as Managing Director of TalkTalk’s Consumer and Business Division and continues to support the business on mergers and acquisitions. Prior to this, Jonathan has held senior roles in Virgin Media and Vodafone and previously worked for Drax Plc as CEO of its Customer Businesses. He has held advisory roles at the Bank of England and Chaired the Business in the Community (BITC) Net Zero Carbon Taskforce. Jonathan is currently Non-Executive Director of regulator Ofwat, which is responsible for maintaining standards across the water and sewerage industry, in important areas including customer service and environmental protection.

Dr Tony Curzon Price is an economist with particular interests in technology, energy, environment and economic regulation. He has worked as an advisor in BEIS, the Cabinet Office and Number 10, as well as the Competition and Markets Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority. He has been a technology and media entrepreneur, and spent 4 years in Silicon Valley. He has been involved in UK energy/environment policy for over 30 years.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Find out more about D-Day 80 at the British Normandy Memorial [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 October 2023.

The British Normandy Memorial will host a major British commemorative event to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6 June 2024.

Members of the public can register with the British Normandy Memorial to receive updates about their D-Day 80 events.

The 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings will be the first time this new memorial has been at the heart of major anniversary commemorations.

The British Normandy Memorial is the only memorial in Normandy listing the names of the 22,442 people who died under British command on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy.

The memorial was inaugurated by President of France Emmanuel Macron and then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May on 6 June 2019 during events to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

The UK Government and generous donors collaborated to fund the memorial, which was officially opened on 6 June 2021.

Register with the British Normandy Memorial to find out more about their D-Day 80 events.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Bayeux War Cemetery will host veterans of the Normandy campaign [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 October 2023.

Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission war cemetery of the Second World War in France. It contains the graves of men originally buried on the battlefields and those who died in military hospitals in Bayeux.

The cemetery was started during the war by the 48th Graves Concentration Unit – a unit of the British Army responsible for recovering, identifying and burying the dead.

The cemetery was completed in 1952 and is now the final resting place of more than 4,100 Commonwealth servicemen, of whom nearly 340 remain unidentified. Also buried there are some 500 servicemen of other nations.

Opposite the cemetery stands the Bayeux Memorial, which bears the names of more than 1,800 men and women of the Commonwealth land forces who fell during Operation Overlord and have no known grave.

They died during the landings, the intense fighting in Normandy, and in the advance to the River Seine in August 1944. Both the cemetery and the memorial were designed by Philip Hepworth.

The Latin inscription on the memorial recalls the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 and reads: “We, once conquered by William, have now set free the Conqueror’s native land.”

Both the cemetery and memorial are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, whose mission is to ensure those who died in service or as a result of conflict are commemorated so that they, and the human cost of war, are remembered for ever.

Veterans of D-Day will gather at the cemetery in June 2024 to pay respects to their fallen comrades who now lie at rest there. The cemetery is open daily and all are welcome.

The positions of the 18 CWGC war cemeteries in Normandy give an indication of the progress of the fighting following D-Day and its human cost.

There are more than 22,000 Commonwealth war dead buried in these cemeteries, but many more will be found in churchyards and village cemeteries throughout the region.

Visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website to find out more about Bayeux War Cemetery.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous driver Adil Iqbal ordered to spend longer in prison [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 13 October 2023.

Adil Iqbal, 22, from Accrington had his 12-year sentence increased to 15 years after the Solicitor General referred his conviction to the Court of Appeal as being unduly lenient.

The court heard that Iqbal had a history of driving offences, and was previously convicted of driving without insurance and driving while disqualified. He had also been given a warning from police after racing in another vehicle.

On 13 May 2023, Iqbal was driving a BMW at excessive speeds on the M66 heading towards Manchester.

He was travelling at 112mph when he swerved to avoid a collision with another car and ploughed into Frankie Jules-Hough’s car which was stationary on the hard shoulder.

Ms Jules-Hough was 17 weeks pregnant and travelling in the car with her two sons and nephew. She was airlifted to hospital but died two days later having suffered catastrophic injuries. Her unborn baby did not survive the collision.

Two of the children were placed in induced comas and their long-term health and well-being remains uncertain.

Iqbal denied driving at excessive speeds and blamed the loss of control on an issue with his vehicle’s rear tyres. He also refused to provide the PIN to unlock his mobile phone.

However, investigations uncovered that in the moments leading up to the collision, Iqbal was filming himself travelling at speeds between 107 and 123mph.

The Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said:

Adil Iqbal’s driving that day ripped apart a young family that had so much to look forward to – not least welcoming a new baby. It is deplorable enough that he was travelling at such excessive speed but endangering lives further by filming himself was simply inexcusable.

I am pleased the court has recognised the severity of his crimes and hope Iqbal’s increased sentence sends a stark warning to people who think it is acceptable to drive at high speeds and put the lives of others in jeopardy. You risk being punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Adil Iqbal was sentenced on 19 July 2023 to 12 years’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 13 years after he was convicted of one count of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

On Friday 13 October 2023, the Court of Appeal increased Adil Iqbal’s sentence to 15 years. The Court also increased the disqualification period to five years with a 10 year extension.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister accelerates military support to Northern Europe following visit to Sweden [October 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 October 2023.

The Prime Minister has vowed to step up the UK’s presence in Northern Europe, deepen cooperation on tackling hybrid threats and protect Critical National Infrastructure with Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partners as he met fellow leaders today.
- More than 20,000 British troops to be deployed across Northern Europe next year
- Comes as the Prime Minister warns we must not be complacent after Putin’s embarrassing failures in Ukraine embolden his disruptive behaviour elsewhere
- Prime Minister meets Joint Expeditionary Force leaders in Gotland after staying on board Royal Navy warship – the first Prime Minister to do so in more than 50 years
The Prime Minister has vowed to step up the UK’s presence in northern Europe, deepen cooperation on tackling hybrid threats and protect Critical National Infrastructure with Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partners as he met fellow leaders today.

More than 20,000 British troops will be deployed to the region next year, which is vital for the protection of Critical National Infrastructure, as the exploitation of hybrid activities and strategic competition in the area accelerates.

Meeting northern European leaders today on the strategically important island of Gotland to discuss the challenges facing the region, as well as the situation in Israel, the Prime Minister warned that Putin’s failures in Ukraine were emboldening Russia’s irresponsible behaviour in other parts of Europe.

He told leaders that while Putin had lost significant ground in Ukraine since he launched his barbaric invasion, allies and partners should not be lulled into a false sense of security. The Kremlin was reinvesting in military capability and turning to a diminishing number of malevolent and marginalised partners to try and rebuild its strength and undermine global stability.

His warning came after damage was detected earlier this week to two pipelines between Estonia and Finland, and HMS Queen Elizabeth was forced to launch fast jets from her deck in the Arctic last week to escort Russian Maritime Patrol Aircraft that flew close to the Carrier Strike Group operating in the region.

JEF leaders discussed today how they can address Russia’s sabotaging behaviour in the region, both through stronger defence collaboration and increasing industrial cooperation.

The Prime Minister outlined how accelerating defence industrial cooperation within Europe and across the Atlantic was vital to ensuring nations maintain a technological advantage over Russia and protect partners from Russian attacks for generations to come.

As part of that ambition, the Prime Minister also set out how the UK will accelerate its military cooperation in the region to help detect, deter and defuse traditional and hybrid threats.

That acceleration will include sending more than 20,000 soldiers, sailors, marines and air men and women to the region next year, alongside 8 Royal Navy ships, 25 fast jets and an aviation task force of Apache, Chinook and Wildcat helicopters. They will take part in large-scale, multi-country exercises, as well as carrying out air policing and cold weather training.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

This week, we have seen yet again that our security cannot be taken for granted. It is vital that we stand united against those with malign intent.

As the international order continues to be challenged by desperate dictators, rogue states, and terrorist organisations – like Hamas – we must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our international friends and partners to defend our values, security and prosperity.

Northern Europe is vital to our national security, which is why it’s more important than ever that we work with our Joint Expeditionary Force neighbours to protect our backyard and deter damaging hybrid threats.

The UK’s Carrier Strike Group is already in the region for its autumn deployment, underlining the UK’s commitment to the area. The group is led by flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth and accompanied by five British ships, F35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets and Wildcat helicopters.

The Prime Minister stayed on destroyer HMS Diamond, which is docked in Visby, last night, before having breakfast with British sailors this morning. According to Royal Navy archives, he is the first Prime Minister to overnight on a Royal Navy warship since the late Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1968.

The ship is a vital component of the strike group, providing state-of-the-art air and missile defence capabilities. It is docked in Visby as part of the group’s work with Sweden during their autumn deployment.

The carrier group, including HMS Queen Elizabeth, will return early next year to lead the UK’s contribution to the first phase of NATO’s most ambitious military drill since the Cold War, Exercise Steadfast Defender.

The operation will span almost six months and see 16,000 UK soldiers deploy to Estonia and Norway.

The deployments come as the Prime Minister deepened the UK’s relationship with Sweden today, signing a strategic partnership with the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

The partnership will expand cooperation on security and defence, innovation, science, energy, trade and investment. It builds on the UK’s security assurances to Sweden, which were signed last year ahead of the country’s accession to NATO.

The Prime Minister also agreed a new ambitious Green Industrial Partnership with Norway, which will seek to drive both countries’ transition to more clean and secure energy by enabling deeper cooperation on areas like offshore wind, low emission transport and critical minerals.

The agreement will benefit supply chains and support skills in low carbon sectors, as well as improving the security and resilience of critical infrastructure.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Støre of Norway [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 October 2023.

The Prime Minister met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Summit in Gotland today.

The leaders reflected on the discussions over the course of the JEF summit, including on the tragic situation in Israel and the grouping’s steadfast support for Ukraine.

The leaders welcomed the launch of the new Green Industrial Partnership between the UK and Norway.

The ambitious partnership would reinforce energy security and Critical National Infrastructure resilience in the region and bring real benefits to supply chains and economies in both countries, the Prime Minister added.

Discussing recent events in the region, the leaders agreed on the vital need to reinforce security around subsea infrastructure.

They agreed to stay in close touch.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Amplifying civil society voices – UK closing statement at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown reiterates UK support for OSCE’s Human Dimension institutions and commitments.

Thank you, Chair. Good morning.

With the closing of the second Chair’s Warsaw Human Dimension Conference in two years, we have much to consider. I would first like to thank North Macedonian as our Chair in Office, for its determination to hold this meeting in the face of Russian obstructionism. I also express our appreciation and thanks to ODIHR Director Mecacci and his entire team for preparing and delivering this conference.

Over the past two weeks we have we heard countless examples of the most egregious human rights violations committed by Russia at home and through its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As we have listened, we have considered the question, what more can we do to support civil society and those impacted by Putin’s war of choice.

We recall that the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting the agenda of which was blocked again by Russia this year, is one of our OSCE commitments. It was established so that participating States could hold each other to account. We have always valued the opportunity this offered. However, in addition to trampling over the most basic human dimension commitments through its actions in Ukraine, Russia chooses not to engage or to explain its behaviour.

Civil society participation has always been a high point of Human Dimension Implementation Meetings. We are grateful to those who have again told their stories this year. Your input greatly enriches our discussions. Through the thematic plenary sessions and brilliant side events, we have heard the challenges faced by the most vulnerable. We have also seen clear examples of what the Moscow Mechanism report told us last year. Namely that internal repression enables external aggression. We have heard from those and about those, including Vladimir Kara-Murza who are paying the price for challenge and dissent. Your participation and understanding these lived experiences are paramount. Thank you for being with us.

We remind those participating States that constantly seek to undermine the work and block the mandates of the OSCE’s human dimension institutions that we established these institutions together to assist us in the implementation of our commitments.  Let the institutions do their work.

The UK Government is committed to continuing to support and amplify the voices from those in civil society and holding Russia to account. We will challenge and accept challenge of our own actions against the commitments we have made. We hope that all participating States will join us, so we can work together to stand united against the violence and repression that remains present across the OSCE region.

October 20, 2023