Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 11 November 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Let me start by congratulating Ambassadors Albanai and Marschik, on their well-deserved reappointment as co-chairs of the inter-governmental negotiations this year; their leadership and commitment on this important issue was invaluable in agreeing the text on … Read more

Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 8 November 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Earlier this year in the General Assembly open-ended working group on information communication technologies, all states recognised that ransomware attacks “may have an impact on international peace and security.” Ransomware actors have consistently attacked critical national … Read more

An FCDO spokesperson said: North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 5 November are another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.  The UK strongly urges North Korea to stop such provocations, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards … Read more

Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 1 November 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) The UK welcomes the renewal of the mandate of EUFOR Althea today, and I join others in thanking France for its efforts as penholder on the text. EUFOR’s presence continues to play a vital role in … Read more

Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, said: The UK supports the OSCE ODIHR preliminary findings on parliamentary elections in Georgia on 26 October, for which the UK contributed 50 short term observers to its monitoring mission. The report finds the misuse of administrative resources, a highly polarised campaign environment, as … Read more

Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 24 October 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) May I start by thanking President Salam for his leadership during what has been an exceptionally busy period for the Court. As today’s report highlights, the past year has seen a significant increase in the number … Read more

The people of Sudan are experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. 25 million people, half of Sudan’s population, are in urgent need of assistance. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has forced approximately 11 million from their homes, fleeing horrific violence and severe hunger since the outbreak … Read more

Mr Hugo Shorter has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran in succession to Mr Simon Shercliff CMG OBE.  Mr Shorter will take up his appointment during October 2024. Curriculum vitae Full name: Hugo Benedict Shorter Year Role 2022 to 2023 Doha, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, UK Mission to Afghanistan 2019 … Read more

Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 30 September 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) President, let me start by thanking SRSG Keita and Ms. Nzale-Kove for briefing us today. I also welcome the participation of the representatives of the DRC, Rwanda and Angola in our meeting. I will make three … Read more

Statement by representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Yemen: On September 25, representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Yemen met to discuss the impact of unjustified Houthi detentions of United Nations, NGO, civil … Read more