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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Grave of a Worcestershire Soldier, William Clay Cubberley, Identified in Belgium [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Grave of a Worcestershire Soldier, William Clay Cubberley, Identified in Belgium [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 March 2023.

    The grave of First World War soldier, Serjeant (Sjt) William Clay Cubberley, aged 28, of 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment, has finally been marked more than a century after his death.

    The rededication service, organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Perth Cemetery (China Wall), near Ypres, Belgium today (22 March ‘23).

    Sjt Cubberley’s then unidentified remains were buried in 2017, and among those in attendance was Rosie Barron, a JCCC caseworker at her first JCCC service. Rosie, disappointed the remains had not been given a name, spent some of the intervening five year period investigating the case.

    Rosie said:

    “After a conversation with Belgian archaeologist, Simon Verdegem, in 2021, I began to reinvestigate the case from scratch. Simon was able to give me more detail about the location where the soldier was found. This was crucial to the identification. We are now very pleased to have given Sjt Cubberley his name back, a regular soldier whose family had devoted their lives to service in The Worcestershire Regiment. His story is now complete, and it has been a privilege to organise this rededication service and to remember Sjt Cubberley today.”

    In 2012 the remains of a soldier were found during the laying of a pipeline near Waterstraat. He bore the buttons and shoulder title of The Worcestershire Regiment, and a crown indicating he may have been a serjeant major. However, after unsuccessful DNA testing, the casualty was buried as an unknown soldier of The Worcestershire Regiment on 6 September 2017.

    Then, during the Covid-19 pandemic, which restricted JCCC’s ability to deliver services abroad, the team reviewed ‘cold cases’ where DNA had been taken but no match found.

    It was then that Rosie Barron, confirmed that 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment was at the location where the unknown remains were found between 24 and 28 September 1917. Although there were no missing serjeant majors of the battalion killed during that period, there were three missing serjeants. The families of all three men were asked to share DNA, and John Cubberley, the great nephew of Sjt Cubberley, proved to be a match.

    John Cubberley said:

    “It fills me with great pride that I have the name Cubberley and I will always be eternally grateful for that. Words cannot express my gratitude to JCCC who have gone beyond the call of duty on my family’s behalf leading to the identification of Serjeant Cubberley’s grave. My Grandfather I am sure is more at peace knowing his brother has been found. My thanks to the MOD for continuing to find our lost family members who went to ‘fight the good fight, who kept the faith and finished the race’ and to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.”

    The service was conducted by the Reverend Daniel Njuguna CF, Chaplain to 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment and was attended by serving and retired members of The Mercian Regiment.

    The Reverend Njuguna said:

    “Today marks a milestone in the story of the life of Sjt William Clay Cubberley. His final resting place shall no longer be unknown; thanks for the dedication of JCCC and all those involved. What a privilege to be here to witness, recognise and express on behalf of many our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of Sjt Cubberley.”

    Initially serving with 1st Battalion, Sjt Cubberley transferred to 2nd Battalion during the First World War. It is believed that although Sjt Cubberley is not recorded as having been promoted to Company Serjeant Major, he may have been promoted in the field and died before any record of this was made.

    On 24 September 1917, the Third Battle of Ypres had already been raging for nearly two months. 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment took over the line near Veldhoek in preparation for an attack to be made on 26 September. The following day they were heavily shelled, and the Germans attacked. The attack was successfully repulsed in the section of the line held by 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment. At 05:30hrs on 26 September, the day of Sjt Cubberley’s death, the Germans redoubled their bombardment making several direct hits of the roof of Battalion HQ in Inverness Copse. The battalion War Diaries record that ‘To carry on in the open under such a fire was impossible. The whole ground was churned up, even the bodies of the killed soon disappeared.’ The shelling made evacuation of the wounded impossible and for 24 hours stretcher bearers were unable to evacuate the wounded.

    At the last hour the plans for the attack were changed and owing to their heavy losses, 2nd Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment provided only supporting fire for the attack. They were relieved on the night of 27 to 28 September 1917. Around 55 men of the battalion lost their lives during their time in the line. Of these 48 men are still missing and are commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    CWGC said:

    Director General of the CWGC, Claire Horton, said: “We are immensely grateful to the War Detectives and to Mr Verdegem, and to all those who have worked with us, in identifying Sjt Cubberley’s final resting place at Perth Cemetery (China Wall), more than a century after his death. We can now mark this brave man’s grave with a headstone bearing his name. This service of re-dedication gives us an opportunity to renew our commitment to care for his grave and those of his comrades, forever.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : All Israelis and Palestinians deserve peace and security – UK Statement at the Security Council [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : All Israelis and Palestinians deserve peace and security – UK Statement at the Security Council [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on the Middle East.

    Mr President,

    We commend Israeli and Palestinian officials for their engagement in Aqaba on 26 February and Sharm El Sheikh on 19 March and thank Jordan and Egypt for hosting.

    Commitments to desist from provocative unilateral actions and to pursue further actions in support of de-escalation are critical ahead of the convergence of Easter, Passover and Ramadan.

    It is also critical that both parties abide by the commitments made and take forward promised confidence building measures, including to support the historic Status Quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites and all those who worship there.

    Mr President, let me make four points.

    The Palestinian Authority must resume security cooperation with Israel, fight against terror and incitement, and maintain security in Area A. We also condemn indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza.

    Whilst Israel has a legitimate right to self-defence, unilateral incursions that result in the deaths of innocent Palestinians only escalate tensions. Israeli security forces must operate in accordance with international law, show restraint in the use of live fire, and conduct thorough investigations into the deaths of Palestinian civilians.

    Second, Israel must also cease the approval of settlements and legalisation of outposts and from evictions of Palestinians in occupied territory, particularly in East Jerusalem.

    The UK opposes the repeal of the Disengagement Law by the Knesset. This repeal is a unilateral measure which further undermines prospects for a two-state solution, and damages any renewed efforts at de-escalation.

    Third, settler violence has gone unchecked for too long. The UK condemns all forms of violence by settlers, including the fatal attacks perpetrated against innocent Palestinians in Huwara.

    I urge Israeli security forces to provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population as they are obliged to under international law, investigate and bring to justice perpetrators of settler violence, and end the culture of permissiveness and impunity.

    Finally President,

    Inflammatory rhetoric and incitement of violence by certain Israeli political leaders only serves to drive settler violence. The UK condemned the Israeli Finance Minister’s comments calling for the Palestinian village of Huwara to be “wiped-out” and his recent comments that deny the existence of the Palestinian people, their right to self-determination, and their history and culture. The United Kingdom extends its full support to Jordan and its sovereign territory.

    All Israelis and Palestinians deserve peace and security, particularly during the holy festivals of Easter, Passover and Ramadan. This will require political will, good faith, strong co-operation, and meaningful actions by both Israelis and the Palestinians.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Leading UK bosses join mission to get thousands more prisoners into work [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Leading UK bosses join mission to get thousands more prisoners into work [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 22 March 2023.

    More than 90 business experts have been enlisted as prison employment advisors to help drive thousands of prison leavers into work and away from a life of crime.

    • business leaders from top firms now offering expertise at all 92 ‘resettlement’ prisons
    • household names including Iceland, Greggs and Oliver Bonas backing initiative
    • number of offenders in work 6 months after release has increased by two-thirds

    Bosses from top firms including the Co-op, Greggs, Iceland, and Oliver Bonas have now been appointed as Employment Advisory Board chairs in all 92 resettlement prisons, which help prepare prisoners nearing the end of their sentence for release into the community.

    The Boards link prisons to leading business figures who can offer their expertise on the skills, qualifications and training needed to help prisoners re-enter the workforce.

    Using these insights, prisons can tailor their training and workshops to match local labour market demands so ex-offenders are job-ready when they walk out the prison gate.

    The initiative was launched in March 2022 and will play a crucial role in boosting the UK economy while tackling the £18 billion annual cost of reoffending, with ex-prisoners in steady employment being nine percentage points less likely to reoffend.

    Getting more prison leavers into work helps to protect the public and the number in employment 6 months after release increased by almost two thirds between April 2021 and March 2022, from 14 per cent to 23 per cent.

    Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, Dominic Raab MP, said:

    Our innovative scheme is helping to get ex-offenders into work, keeping them on the straight and narrow while providing businesses with the staff they need to grow.

    We are already seeing the rewards with more prison leavers in work six months after release – helping them turn their backs on crime, contribute to society and saving the taxpayer money.

    Alongside breaking the cycle of crime, getting prison leavers work-ready helps employers build the workforce they and the economy needs.

    Research from the Ministry of Justice shows that 90% of businesses that employ ex-offenders agreed that they are good attenders, motivated and trustworthy*. Harnessing the talent from those leaving the prison is already supporting employers to fill vacancies bringing benefits to businesses and the UK economy.

    Richard Walker, Executive Chairman, Iceland Foods, said:

    The rehabilitation of offenders back into the workforce can offer huge benefits to UK businesses and give those individuals seeking employment a much-needed lifeline. At Iceland we feel it’s the right thing to do, and although we’re at the beginning of this rehabilitation journey we are already seeing how it can offer real societal and business impact.

    Employment Advisory Boards allow business leaders, including Iceland’s own Director of Rehabilitation Paul Cowley, an inside track to support ex-offenders, equipping them with much needed skills that employers like us will value both now and in the future.

    Olly Tress, Founder and CEO of Oliver Bonas and EAB Chair at HMP Belmarsh said:

    Employment Advisory Boards are helping prisoners to be job-ready for opportunities in the outside world, whether it be in IT support, catering or hospitality.

    It’s a true win-win situation by plugging gaps in the skills shortages across various sectors, while providing a more stable future for the individual so they can stay crime-free.

    Beckie Rowlands, Greggs Fresh Start Manager and EAB Chair at HMP Foston Hall said:

    At Greggs, we pride ourselves on our culture, creating an environment which is inclusive of everyone. Being an inclusive business also means making it easier for people who might face challenges with getting a job. Through our Fresh Start programme, we proactively offer training and work experience to people who are transitioning into work, including care leavers, people who have been unemployed for a long time, or who are leaving the armed services or prison. We provide employability workshops, mentoring, mock interviews, interviews, placements and, most importantly, sustainable job opportunities to candidates that we would not ordinarily meet.

    Working with the Employment Advisory Boards is a great way for us to not only reduce the impact of re-offending within our communities, but also an avenue to find great employees to join Greggs.

    Dedicated job experts have been recruited in every resettlement prison in England and Wales and will walk prisoners through job applications and give them interview training so they are ready to find jobs in booming sectors such as construction, haulage, and logistics.

    One-stop hubs where prisoners can access career advice and support with tasks such as CV writing have also been established in 91 of 92 resettlement prisons.

    Dan Whyte, former prisoner, founder and Co-Director of DWRM Consultants, said:

    When I received my life sentence, I had no qualifications at all, but I was determined to use my time inside productively by studying and focusing on the career I wanted when I walked through the prison gates.

    Having a job gave me the direction I needed to stay on the straight-and-narrow after my release and now run a successful business helping prisoners get access to university training and education.

    The launch of Employment Advisory Boards and Prison Employment Leads forms a central part of the Prisons White Paper, published in December 2021. This includes a major focus on upskilling offenders so they can turn their back on crime for good.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK announces new support for improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in Asia and Africa [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK announces new support for improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in Asia and Africa [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

    Speaking at the United Nations Water Conference, Lord Goldsmith announced a new programme to improve access to safe, reliable and affordable water supplies.

    • the UK has announced a new 5-year programme to improve access to safe, reliable and affordable water supplies and sanitation services, benefitting millions in Asia and Africa
    • UK Climate and Environment minister Lord Goldsmith announced new UK funding at the United Nation Water Conference, the first UN conference focused on water since 1977
    • new support builds on the UK’s success helping 120 million people gain access to basic water and hygiene facilities between 2010 and 2020

    Speaking at the first UN High-Level Conference on Water in 40 years, UK Climate and Environment Minister, Lord Goldsmith announced new support to improve the quality of water supply, and sanitation and hygiene services in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

    £18.5 million in UK funding will help provide safe, reliable, and affordable water supply sanitation and hygiene services that help prevent disease, protect people’s health and safeguard the environment from pollution. It is a key part of the UK government’s commitment to help end the preventable deaths of mothers, young children and infants.

    The programme will help people living in poor communities across Asia and Africa, including in rural areas and in informal settlements in towns and cities. The funding will also support improvements to water, sanitation and hygiene services in schools, including menstrual hygiene, and in health facilities where it will have a major impact on reducing infection and improving quality of care received by patients.

    Between 2010 and 2020, UK funding helped over 120 million people gain access to clean water supplies and sanitation. Since 2020 the UK has also reached 1.2 billion people with information promoting hygiene, with a strong emphasis on handwashing, including to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

    The provision of safe water supply, sanitation and hygiene services helps protect people, especially young children, from diarrhoea, cholera and other killer diseases. It also reduces the huge effort and time that women and girls spend collecting water, opening up education and employment prospects.

    UK Climate and Environment Minister Lord Goldsmith said:

    Access to water is a human right and it is shocking that by 2030, 1.6 billion people will still not have access to a safe, reliable water supply. We urgently need to scale up global action, to support governments to strengthen and improve water sanitation and hygiene services.

    The UK’s new funding will build on our long-running work to ensure more people have access to clean and safe water, to prevent deaths, open up education and employment, and reduce poverty.

    The UN Conference on Water comes at a critical time. It is predicted that global freshwater demand will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030. Lord Goldsmith will meet with international partners and members of the private sector to discuss progress on ensuring water is a safe, sustainable and accessible resource globally.

    This builds on the UK’s COP26 Presidency and work to drive progress on improving access to water, as well as how we value, manage and use water. At COP26, the UK and Malawi launched the Fair Water Footprints initiative, ensuring that goods consumed in the UK and across the world, have sustainable, just and equitable water management.

  • PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

    Statement for Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

    Thank you Mr President.

    We thank the Fact-Finding Mission for its update, and we welcome the renewal of your crucial mandate.

    The work of the Mission remains essential to monitor, document and report serious human rights violations in Venezuela, particularly for vulnerable populations including women, LGBTQ+ people and indigenous communities. There is limited progress on accountability for human rights violations and abuses by Venezuelan authorities. Perpetrators of these abuses continue to walk free with impunity.

    Threats and intimidation of human rights defenders continues. In January 2023 alone, 187 attacks were registered against them.

    We are also closely monitoring the two proposed bills that would severely limit the civic and democratic space and the activities of civil society in Venezuela.

    The upcoming electoral period in the country is critical to the country’s stability and for recovery to a democratic path where all Venezuelans can participate. Guaranteeing the free exercise of the right to association is fundamental to holding free and fair elections.

    What is the extent of accountability for human rights abuses and violations that your Mission has documented?

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Trade Update – UK-Gulf Cooperation Council FTA [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Trade Update – UK-Gulf Cooperation Council FTA [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 22 March 2023.

    A trade update on the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement.

    The third round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) took place between 12 and 16 March.

    The round was hosted by GCC in Riyadh and held in a hybrid fashion. A number of UK negotiators from across the Government travelled to Riyadh for in-person discussions and others attended virtually.

    Draft treaty text was advanced across the majority of chapters. Technical discussions were held across 13 policy areas over 30 sessions. Good progress was made and both sides remain committed to securing an ambitious, comprehensive and modern agreement fit for the 21st century.

    An FTA will be a substantial economic opportunity and a significant moment in the UK-GCC relationship. Government analysis shows that, in the long run, a deal with the GCC is expected to increase trade by at least 16%, add at least £1.6 billion a year to the UK economy and contribute an additional £600 million or more to UK.

    The fourth round of negotiations is expected to be hosted by the UK later this year.

    His Majesty’s Government remains clear that any deal we sign will be in the best interests of the British people and the United Kingdom economy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New traffic commissioner appointed for the West Midlands Traffic Area [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New traffic commissioner appointed for the West Midlands Traffic Area [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 22 March 2023.

    Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper has appointed a new Traffic Commissioner and two new Deputy Traffic Commissioners.

    Miles Dorrington has been acting Traffic Commissioner in the West Midlands Traffic Area, since the retirement of his predecessor, Nick Denton, in June 2022. He will now be deployed as the permanent Traffic Commissioner.

    The Senior Traffic Commissioner, Richard Turfitt, said of his appointment “I am delighted that Miles has been appointed as a permanent member to the traffic commissioner team. He brings with him significant experience of this jurisdiction from many years as a Deputy Traffic Commissioner, and as a tribunal judge in other jurisdictions.”

    In addition, the Secretary of State has appointed two new Deputy Traffic Commissioners to support the Traffic Commissioners. Catherine Moxon and Dr Paul Stookes come into the role with valuable legal experience.

    Catherine is a barrister with experience in both criminal and civil practice. She now specialises in regulatory law. She sits in the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service and chairs the School Admission and School Exclusion Panels.

    Paul is a solicitor-advocate with over 25 years’ experience in public, civil and criminal law. Paul works as a law and policy advisor to the UK Environmental Law Association, and is a lead assessor for the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment full membership programme.

    Catherine will be deployed in the north of England and Paul in the Southeast of England.

    Richard Turfitt said of the appointments “Catherine and Paul will strengthen the team of full time and part time commissioners, providing invaluable support and experience. I genuinely look forward to working with them.”

    The role of the traffic commissioners

    Traffic commissioners are responsible for the licensing and regulation of bus, coach and goods vehicle operators, and registration of local bus services. Where appropriate, they can call operators to a public inquiry to examine concerns about vehicle and driver safety.

    They also deal with professional drivers at conduct hearings.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK net zero start-ups keen to tap into Malaysia’s tech ecosystem [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK net zero start-ups keen to tap into Malaysia’s tech ecosystem [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

    10 UK net zero start-ups pitched their technologies for up to $1 million investment and entry into an accelerator programme for green start-ups.

    The UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme Demo Day kicked off in Sunway City, Kuala Lumpur today where 10 UK net zero start-ups pitched their technologies in-person for up to US$1 million investment and entry into the Sunway iLabs’ Net Zero Lab, an accelerator programme for green start-ups. The initiative also saw UK tech companies connecting and exploring opportunities with the wider tech ecosystem including Malaysia government bodies and venture capital funds.

    The event was attended by Minister of Economy YB Rafizi Ramli, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific Natalie Black, Deputy British High Commissioner David Wallace as well as Sunway Group’s Group Chief Executive Officer of Digital and Strategic Investments Evan Cheah.

    The programme is held in partnership with Sunway Innovation Labs (Sunway iLabs), the innovation arm of Sunway Group, MyDigital Corporation and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, and delivered by IoT Tribe. Through the programme, UK start-ups will be able to pilot and scale their innovative solutions alongside Malaysian corporates to digitalise analogue systems, optimise energy use through AI and improve food security. The initiative will also help realise Malaysia’s digital ambitions towards a fully digitalised economy as outlined in the MyDigital Blueprint and the 4IR policy.

    YB Rafizi Ramli, Minister of Economy said:

    The first step to instilling a culture of innovation is understanding that innovation is simply looking at a day-to-day problem, and asking, ‘How can I make this better?’

    All the best creations in the world start from that simple question. And programmes like the UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme could help shape a society where its people are comfortable with asking that question, and seeing themselves as creators rather than just passive consumers. This is one step forward in mainstreaming the culture of innovation.

    David Wallace, Deputy British High Commissioner to Malaysia said:

    The UK’s bilateral trade with Malaysia totals £5.9 billion with digital, technology and cyber being the fastest growth sector. By connecting UK digital tech businesses with leading Malaysian corporates, and aggregating complementary strengths and resources, the Programme is a catalyst for commercial partnerships and investments.

    Natalie Black, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, said:

    With its fast-growing technology sector and strategic location in ASEAN’s booming digital economy, Malaysia is a top destination for cutting-edge tech companies looking to expand and diversify their reach within the region.

    That’s why we’ve brought 10 UK Net Zero tech businesses here for the UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme Demo Day, bringing to fruition the innovative partnership we started with Sunway during last year’s London Tech Week.

    Today’s event marks the final stretch of our inaugural UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week and an exciting new chapter for collaboration between our two tech ecosystems.

    Matt van Leeuwen, Chief Innovation Officer of Sunway Group and Director of Sunway iLabs, said:

    Sunway is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions in line with the Malaysian government’s commitment of being carbon-neutral by 2050. This is a really ambitious target, which means we have to think and act differently in order to achieve this. In addition to our internal initiatives, Sunway is looking to partner with global startups to co-create solutions that can be tested and validated in our extensive ecosystem, with the ultimate objective to scale these in the Malaysian and wider Southeast Asian market. We launched the Sunway iLabs’ Net Zero Lab, a cross-border investment programme, to source and accelerate climate tech innovations that have a positive and sustainable impact on our communities and the planet.

    Sunway iLabs is committed to supporting Malaysia’s green transition. It recently launched the Net Zero Labs and is increasing investments in climate tech solutions, such as carbon storage and utilisation, and large-scale implementation of renewable energy. This programme is supported by Khazanah, Japanese External Trade Organization Kuala Lumpur (JETRO KL), Deep Tech Labs and the Department for Business and Trade.

    Through the UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme, Sunway hopes to instigate some of that so they can start investing in some of the solutions they see coming out of the UK, to help them achieve their goals by 2050.

    The UK-Malaysia Digital Innovation Programme is part of the wider UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week held across Jakarta, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The week’s activities brought together cutting-edge UK tech companies and business and government representatives from across the region.

    The leading UK start-ups shortlisted to showcase their disruptive technologies in Malaysia include Agave Networks, Filia, Inferrix, Informed Solutions, Permia Sensing, ProtectBox, Singular Intelligence, Voltvision, Voyage Control, Wootzano.

    The event was well attended by over 100 stakeholders from across the Malaysian tech ecosystem. Besides senior representatives from Sunway Group, the event attracted other Malaysian corporates, investors and Malaysian government agencies such as MyDigital Corporation and MDEC. The event provided a valuable opportunity for exchange between UK and Malaysia as both countries move forward together towards a net zero future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK-Kuwait inaugural Strategic Dialogue 2023: joint communiqué [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK-Kuwait inaugural Strategic Dialogue 2023: joint communiqué [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

    The UK Foreign Secretary and the Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait held the inaugural UK-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue in London on 20 March 2023.

    The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, and the Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait His Excellency Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, held the inaugural UK-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue in London on 20 March 2023.

    The two Ministers reviewed key areas of collaboration between the United Kingdom and the State of Kuwait, noting the breadth and depth of the bilateral relationship as well as the shared history and the strong people-to-people links that underpin this.

    The UK and Kuwait reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral defence and security partnership. They welcomed the longstanding bilateral cooperation to bolster cyber defences against the growing threat posed by state and non-state actors. The Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s commitment to Kuwait’s security and territorial integrity, as well as to peace and stability around the world, and commended the positive role that Kuwait plays in regional security and beyond.

    UK and Kuwait share a strong trade and investment relationship. The total volume of trade almost doubled last year, while the London based Kuwait Investment Office, a stalwart of the City’s financial sector, marks its 70th anniversary this year. Ministers explored priorities for future areas of investment. The recent announcement that Kuwaiti nationals may travel visa-free using the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme from February 2024 will further strengthen business, tourism and people-to-people links.

    The two Ministers exchanged views and explored opportunities on a number of key foreign policy priorities, including Yemen, the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), and Ukraine.

    They discussed ongoing peace talks that seek to end the conflict that has ravaged Yemen for over eight years. Discussing the OPTs, both Ministers expressed grave concerns at the rising level of violence and instability and stressed the need to resolve this longstanding conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.

    On Ukraine, the two Ministers welcomed the overwhelming international support for last month’s UNGA Resolution calling for Russia to end hostilities and withdraw from Ukraine, and humanitarian assistance, including supporting reconstruction efforts.

    The Strategic Dialogue complimented and built on the work of the longstanding UK-Kuwait Joint Steering Group, the 19th session of which was co-chaired on 14 February 2023 by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East and North South Asia, the UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, and His Excellency Mansour Al-Otaibi, Deputy Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on situation of human rights in Belarus [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on situation of human rights in Belarus [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 March 2023.

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in Belarus, delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    Thank you, Deputy High Commissioner, for your report reminding us once again how Lukashenko’s brutal and systematic campaign of repression continued unabated throughout 2021 and 2022.

    Individuals exercising their human rights are systematically detained, intimidated and harassed by the Lukashenko regime. The number of political prisoners now surpasses 1400.

    Civil society and independent media continue to be targeted, with lengthy sentences delivered after closed trials or trials in absentia. The UK strongly condemns the recent sentences handed down to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ales Bialiatski and the leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Both of whom I have had the privilege to meet in person.

    This repression continues and increases in 2023. Lukashenko has signed new laws, allowing the regime to confiscate property of those who engage in “unfriendly activities” and expanded the scope of the death penalty to include crimes of high treason by state or military officials.

    The UK also urges the Belarusian authorities to end their support for Russia’s illegal war.

    Deputy High Commissioner,

    How can the international community support those championing human rights in Belarus in the midst of continued, severe repression?

    Thank you.