Foreign Commonwealth Development Office News and Announcements

Historic Hillsborough Castle to host high level international meeting on Western Balkans

Friday, 08 August 2025

Northern Ireland’s historic Hillsborough Castle will provide the backdrop for a foreign ministers’ meeting on the Western Balkans later this year....

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The UK encourages all parties to remain committed to prioritising security, growth and prosperity across the region: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Thursday, 07 August 2025

Statement by Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on West Africa and the Sahel....

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Change of UK Permanent Representative to the OECD: Andrew Wood

Thursday, 07 August 2025

Andrew Wood has been appointed UK Permanent Representative to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris....

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The United Kingdom reiterates its call for all States to fully implement their obligations under Resolution 1540: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Wednesday, 06 August 2025

Statement by Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destructi...

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UK provides vital support to over 85,000 Syrians following recent violence

Monday, 04 August 2025

UK to provide vital humanitarian assistance for more than 85,000 Syrians affected by recent violence....

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The suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians has reached new and shocking depths: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Monday, 04 August 2025

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East....

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Every Russian strike is a commitment not to peace, but an attempt to destroy life and liberty in Ukraine: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Friday, 01 August 2025

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine....

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OSCE Helsinki +50 Conference: Closing Session, UK statement

Friday, 01 August 2025

Ambassador Holland thanks Finland for hosting the Helsinki +50 Conference, reiterates the UK's support for Ukraine, and welcomes Conference discussion...

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This current state of war remains a choice that President Putin is making: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Thursday, 31 July 2025

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on Ukraine....

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Statement on state threats from Iranian intelligence services: 31 July 2025

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Joint statement of Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the US on...

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Peace operations should be equipped with the tools they need to deliver political solutions: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Statement by Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on UN Peace Operations....

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We are determined to protect the viability of the two state solution: Foreign Secretary statement at the UN Two State Solution conference on Gaza and the recognition of a Palestinian State

Monday, 28 July 2025

Statement by the Foreign Secretary delivered at the UN Conference on The Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of th...

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The UK welcomes the ceasefire in southern Syria and urges all sides to stick to it: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Sunday, 27 July 2025

Statement by Rt Hon Hamish Falconer MP, Minister for the Middle East, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria....

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The humanitarian pause in fighting in Gaza is essential, but long overdue. The United Nations must be allowed to save lives, reduce suffering and preserve dignity: UK statement at the UN Two State Solution conference.

Sunday, 27 July 2025

Statement by Rt Hon Hamish Falconer MP, Minister for the Middle East, at the UK-Egypt co-chaired Working Group on Humanitarian Action and Reconstructi...

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Statement from the Foreign Secretary on the situation in Gaza

Saturday, 26 July 2025

The Foreign Secretary has issued a statement following today's announcement of a temporary humanitarian pause by the IDF in Gaza....

Joint Foreign Secretary Home Secretary statement on Hong Kong announcing new arrest warrants for overseas activists

Friday, 25 July 2025

The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary have issued a response after Hong Kong announced new arrest warrants for overseas activists. ...

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Ukraine continues to show its commitment to peace. But President Putin prefers war: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Friday, 25 July 2025

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. ...

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G20 Development Meeting: Baroness Chapman's speech

Friday, 25 July 2025

Minister for Development, Baroness Chapman, gave a speech on the UK's new approach to development at the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in South ...

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Statement on Australia UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) July 2025

Friday, 25 July 2025

Joint statement from UK and Australia on the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) July 2025...

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Development Minister sets out new UK approach to development at G20 meeting in South Africa

Thursday, 24 July 2025

The UK is resetting its relationship with countries in the Global South and helping countries exit the need for aid, as Baroness Chapman attends the G...

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AUKUS treaty deepens UK Australia defence partnership to generate £20 billion in trade and create 7,000 new jobs

Thursday, 24 July 2025

Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary in Australia alongside UK’s Carrier Strike Group - demonstrating government’s commitment to a free and open In...

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Irregular migration of people: UK statement to the OSCE, July 2025

Thursday, 24 July 2025

Ambassador Holland updates the Permanent Council on the UK's newly introduced Global Irregular Migration Sanctions Regime. ...

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Latest reforms and developments in Moldova: UK statement to the OSCE, July 2025

Thursday, 24 July 2025

Ambassador Holland welcomes Moldova’s continued efforts to safeguard electoral integrity and counter foreign malign interference....

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Report by the Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe: UK Response, July 2025

Thursday, 24 July 2025

Ambassador Holland welcomes the OSCE Programme Office's engagement with the Government of Tajikistan during the reporting period, and its continued fo...

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50 years on from the signing of the Helsinki Final Act Russia fails to live up to its promises: UK statement to the OSCE

Thursday, 24 July 2025

Ambassador Holland commits to continuing to highlight and condemn Russia's attacks against Ukraine for as long as Russia insists on carrying them out....

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Joint Statement on the Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

UK and 40 other countries invoke the Moscow Mechanism to address ill treatment of prisoners of war by the Russian Federation...

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The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to strengthen its role in conflict prevention: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council open debate on maintaining international p...

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The Israeli aid system is inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council open debate on the Middle East Peace Proce...

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The importance of dialogue even during crisis: UK statement to the OSCE

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Ambassador Neil Holland reiterates UK support for Ukraine, calls for Russia to agree an immediate ceasefire, and underlines the enduring value of the ...

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UK sanctions notorious people smuggling gangs and their enablers in global crackdown

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Gang ring leaders, key intermediaries and suppliers of people-smuggling equipment have today [July 23] been hit with the first ever sanctions targetin...

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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Historic Hillsborough Castle to host high level international meeting on Western Balkans

The UK encourages all parties to remain committed to prioritising security, growth and prosperity across the region: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Change of UK Permanent Representative to the OECD: Andrew Wood

The United Kingdom reiterates its call for all States to fully implement their obligations under Resolution 1540: UK statement at the UN Security Council

UK provides vital support to over 85,000 Syrians following recent violence

The suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians has reached new and shocking depths: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Every Russian strike is a commitment not to peace, but an attempt to destroy life and liberty in Ukraine: UK statement at the UN Security Council

OSCE Helsinki +50 Conference: Closing Session, UK statement

This current state of war remains a choice that President Putin is making: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement on state threats from Iranian intelligence services: 31 July 2025

Peace operations should be equipped with the tools they need to deliver political solutions: UK statement at the UN Security Council

We are determined to protect the viability of the two state solution: Foreign Secretary statement at the UN Two State Solution conference on Gaza and the recognition of a Palestinian State

The UK welcomes the ceasefire in southern Syria and urges all sides to stick to it: UK statement at the UN Security Council

The humanitarian pause in fighting in Gaza is essential, but long overdue. The United Nations must be allowed to save lives, reduce suffering and preserve dignity: UK statement at the UN Two State Solution conference.

Statement from the Foreign Secretary on the situation in Gaza

Joint Foreign Secretary Home Secretary statement on Hong Kong announcing new arrest warrants for overseas activists

Ukraine continues to show its commitment to peace. But President Putin prefers war: UK statement at the UN Security Council

G20 Development Meeting: Baroness Chapman's speech

Statement on Australia UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) July 2025

Development Minister sets out new UK approach to development at G20 meeting in South Africa

AUKUS treaty deepens UK Australia defence partnership to generate £20 billion in trade and create 7,000 new jobs

Irregular migration of people: UK statement to the OSCE, July 2025

Latest reforms and developments in Moldova: UK statement to the OSCE, July 2025

Report by the Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe: UK Response, July 2025

50 years on from the signing of the Helsinki Final Act Russia fails to live up to its promises: UK statement to the OSCE

Joint Statement on the Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism

The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to strengthen its role in conflict prevention: UK statement at the UN Security Council

The Israeli aid system is inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability: UK statement at the UN Security Council

The importance of dialogue even during crisis: UK statement to the OSCE

UK sanctions notorious people smuggling gangs and their enablers in global crackdown

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